Rogers Media uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences. Rogers Media supports the Digital Advertising Alliance principles. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies.
We use cookies (why?) You can change cookie preferences. Continued site use signifies consent.
Reports of Maxime Bernier's changed mind were greatly exaggerated - Macleans.ca
The maverick from Beauce reassures everyone that he has not wavered in his maverickness.
As I have said and written several times over the past months, I believe that the private sector should be mainly responsible for this type of projects. Moreover, at a time when we have a big budget deficit to eliminate, financing sporting infrastructure should not be a priority. Providing funds to one project in Quebec City would also mean that the government has to fund other projects across the country to be fair to everyone, which would cost huge sums of money. I have not changed my position in any way on this issue.
Bernier – The Man For All Reasons. People have caught on to the little game of good fiscal conservative/badfiscal conservative he and Harper have been playing.
It won't happen, for a lot of reasons, but it wouldn't be all bad with him.
He seems like the only straight shooter, principled, backboned MP in the Conservative caucus and he's just a conservative, not troglodyte wingnut or an empty headed sycophant regurgitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points. No wonder he's not in cabinet.
Actually I think this is pretty impressive of Bernier.
A Harper-style politician would see that the media has misportrayed his view which might allow him to get away with having his cake and eating it too, which might benefit his political ambitions. If pressed he could always clarify later, but why stick your neck out?
Instead of letting political advantage trump principle though, he steps up to the plate and clarifies his view. Very un-politician like. Very un-Harper like.
Apres la prochaine election peut-etre… Un conservateur quebecois qui n'a pas peur d'exprimer des opinions impopulaires – c'est presque trop beau pour etre vrai.
J'espere qu'il va maintenir son independance et ses principes durant son ascension au pouvoir…
not troglodyte wingnut or an empty headed sycophant regurgitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points. No wonder he's not in cabinet.
Interesting and compelling perspective. but im afraid your analysis lacks rigor in that it overlooks that conservatives are also fascists, imperialists patriarchal oppressive ultra-religious racist puppy-killers.
Nevertheless, thanks for sharing your scholarly view with us. We are all better for it.
"Un conservateur quebecois qui n'a pas peur d'exprimer des opinions impopulaires"
Soi-meme seulement. And not just Quebecois conservatives, Any of 'em. He's the only, sole, single member of this party who will speak his mind, lest he be edited out of "Concelebrate 2011 – 5 Years of Hangin' On!" videos.
C'est la probleme ici, comme M. Betts, en haut, a dit, ne c'est pas?
But I'm really not sure who you keep having arguments with AlfaNerd. Certainly not moi. I don't think that of conservatives (I'd have to think that of myself were that the case, and most of my family). I don't even think that of Harper and the "Conservative" Party of Canada.
You really should put an end to this style of fabricating arguments no one is making just so you can display your lack of an ability to conjure up a witty response.
He'll have enough support in his leadership run that (a) the frontrunners will have to curry favour with him, thereby pulling the debate to the right (on economic matters), (b) he'll be well positioned to lead a conservative provincial party should he choose, and possibly even (c) if he doesn't sail too close to the sun, and starts to play ball with the winning candidate, he may be well positioned for his own run after that (a la Ted Morton sort of).
I think Gille has knee-capped Stephen and the CPC on the arena issue now.
Bloc delcares a win if the funding goes through and the CPC gets vilified for vote buying by the ROC.
Or, Bloc delares the CPC is treating QC unfairly if the funding doesn't go and Stephen's polling gets saggy in la belle province. (that is I mean even more saggy)
then why do you attack Harper and his cabinet like so?
not troglodyte wingnut or an empty headed sycophant regurgitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points
Harper maintains a tight ship and makes sure people stay on message, because otherwise the Liberals and the press will eat them alive. This government faces a blood-thirsty opposition and a hostile press and are always a confidence vote away from an election or an overthrow by a coalition. In this context, its pretty transparent to see Liberal partisans express dismay that Conservative MPs dont ad lib their talking points – if that's the gist of your complaint and that of frobisher below (is it?)
No, I was thinking of that new conservative provincial party/movement – the name is escaping me – that seems to be growing out of the ashes of Action Democratique.
I wasn't suggesting he take over the PQ. Only that he would be a popular lucide but he would be with the good guys. He could make of the Liberals in Quebec a federalist, fiscally responsible party. Or he could join that other thing that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
I mean there are certainly troglodyte wingnuts in the Conservative Party and many of them are elected MPs. Bernier is not one of them (nor is Harper in my view, nor are most conservatives or Conservatives in my experience).
There are certainly empty headed sycophants regugitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points. Bernier is not one obviously.
Can the others rationalize/excuse their empty headed regurgitation as you do so quickly and easily? Depends on what the point is. For Bernier, the point is not power for power's sake or government for government's sake, but to effect positive conservative change. But all the cowering spinelessness trying to say crap smells like roses is making things worse. Tight ship? Bernier rightly (pun intended) asks to what end and finds Harper's answer wanting.
As for the "hostile press"? Martin could only dream of a press as pliant and helpful.
You know Allnerd, – if I read you comment and imagine Bernier saying it – it seems a a remarkiable fit – not like you at all. Have you gone Francophone on us or what?
Bravo Maxime!
J'espere un jour le voir comme premier ministre.
alfanerd on
Pinwheelitis….it's catching!
Emily on
Bernier – The Man For All Reasons. People have caught on to the little game of good fiscal conservative/badfiscal conservative he and Harper have been playing.
JanBC on
Always interesting to see the Dapper Dolt stand by his "convictions".
Mike T. on
It won't happen, for a lot of reasons, but it wouldn't be all bad with him.
He seems like the only straight shooter, principled, backboned MP in the Conservative caucus and he's just a conservative, not troglodyte wingnut or an empty headed sycophant regurgitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points. No wonder he's not in cabinet.
tedbetts on
Actually I think this is pretty impressive of Bernier.
A Harper-style politician would see that the media has misportrayed his view which might allow him to get away with having his cake and eating it too, which might benefit his political ambitions. If pressed he could always clarify later, but why stick your neck out?
Instead of letting political advantage trump principle though, he steps up to the plate and clarifies his view. Very un-politician like. Very un-Harper like.
tedbetts on
Sure, but he's unlikley to lose the Beauce no matter what his political conviction at any given moment.
Mike T. on
In a way, he's like a less gangly, pre-census Tony Clement.
Mike T. on
If that was the limit of his ambitions.
tedbetts on
Ou, au moins, un ministre avec un portfolio économique important…
made_you_look on
Apres la prochaine election peut-etre… Un conservateur quebecois qui n'a pas peur d'exprimer des opinions impopulaires – c'est presque trop beau pour etre vrai.
J'espere qu'il va maintenir son independance et ses principes durant son ascension au pouvoir…
alfanerd on
not troglodyte wingnut or an empty headed sycophant regurgitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points. No wonder he's not in cabinet.
Interesting and compelling perspective. but im afraid your analysis lacks rigor in that it overlooks that conservatives are also fascists, imperialists patriarchal oppressive ultra-religious racist puppy-killers.
Nevertheless, thanks for sharing your scholarly view with us. We are all better for it.
alfanerd on
It's probably the realistic limit – I doubt he has a clue how to get higher.
Mike T. on
"Un conservateur quebecois qui n'a pas peur d'exprimer des opinions impopulaires"
Soi-meme seulement. And not just Quebecois conservatives, Any of 'em. He's the only, sole, single member of this party who will speak his mind, lest he be edited out of "Concelebrate 2011 – 5 Years of Hangin' On!" videos.
C'est la probleme ici, comme M. Betts, en haut, a dit, ne c'est pas?
frobisher on
No doubt you are better for it.
But I'm really not sure who you keep having arguments with AlfaNerd. Certainly not moi. I don't think that of conservatives (I'd have to think that of myself were that the case, and most of my family). I don't even think that of Harper and the "Conservative" Party of Canada.
You really should put an end to this style of fabricating arguments no one is making just so you can display your lack of an ability to conjure up a witty response.
tedbetts on
Exactement. Merci.
He'll have enough support in his leadership run that (a) the frontrunners will have to curry favour with him, thereby pulling the debate to the right (on economic matters), (b) he'll be well positioned to lead a conservative provincial party should he choose, and possibly even (c) if he doesn't sail too close to the sun, and starts to play ball with the winning candidate, he may be well positioned for his own run after that (a la Ted Morton sort of).
tedbetts on
I think Gille has knee-capped Stephen and the CPC on the arena issue now.
Bloc delcares a win if the funding goes through and the CPC gets vilified for vote buying by the ROC.
Or, Bloc delares the CPC is treating QC unfairly if the funding doesn't go and Stephen's polling gets saggy in la belle province. (that is I mean even more saggy)
David_M. on
then why do you attack Harper and his cabinet like so?
not troglodyte wingnut or an empty headed sycophant regurgitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points
Harper maintains a tight ship and makes sure people stay on message, because otherwise the Liberals and the press will eat them alive. This government faces a blood-thirsty opposition and a hostile press and are always a confidence vote away from an election or an overthrow by a coalition. In this context, its pretty transparent to see Liberal partisans express dismay that Conservative MPs dont ad lib their talking points – if that's the gist of your complaint and that of frobisher below (is it?)
alfanerd on
he'll be well positioned to lead a conservative provincial party should he choose…
Un Lucien Bouchard, mais un Lucien Bouchard vraiment fédéraliste! Where do I sign up?
made_you_look on
Yeah, now that Mike Duffy has gone to trough, there's no one who's friendly to the conservatives.
BCer in Mtl on
No, I was thinking of that new conservative provincial party/movement – the name is escaping me – that seems to be growing out of the ashes of Action Democratique.
tedbetts on
I wasn't suggesting he take over the PQ. Only that he would be a popular lucide but he would be with the good guys. He could make of the Liberals in Quebec a federalist, fiscally responsible party. Or he could join that other thing that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
made_you_look on
Speaking of monsieur Bouchard… sad news tonight:
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2011/01/25/audre…
made_you_look on
Not quite.
I mean there are certainly troglodyte wingnuts in the Conservative Party and many of them are elected MPs. Bernier is not one of them (nor is Harper in my view, nor are most conservatives or Conservatives in my experience).
There are certainly empty headed sycophants regugitating nothing but spin and shallow talking points. Bernier is not one obviously.
Can the others rationalize/excuse their empty headed regurgitation as you do so quickly and easily? Depends on what the point is. For Bernier, the point is not power for power's sake or government for government's sake, but to effect positive conservative change. But all the cowering spinelessness trying to say crap smells like roses is making things worse. Tight ship? Bernier rightly (pun intended) asks to what end and finds Harper's answer wanting.
As for the "hostile press"? Martin could only dream of a press as pliant and helpful.
tedbetts on
You know Allnerd, – if I read you comment and imagine Bernier saying it – it seems a a remarkiable fit – not like you at all. Have you gone Francophone on us or what?
JanBC on
Bernier-Chong 2012!
Dave on
That's a pretty mean thing to say about Maxime.
Al O'Wishes on
I am francophone.
alfanerd on