In an opposition state of mind
It looks like the Liberals are starting to settle into the long-term role of opposition:
Joe Volpe is spoiling to be the bad boy of the otherwise polite and low-key Liberal leadership race, now accusing his rival Michael Ignatieff of sharing the same politics as Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
At the second leadership debate, in Moncton yesterday, Volpe pointedly singled out Ignatieff in his opening remarks, waving a newspaper headline about his views on Canada's role in Afghanistan, and arguing that only Harper would agree with the former Harvard law professor.
Volpe did it deliberately and unapologetically, declaring to reporters later about Ignatieff's debate performance: "I only heard Harper's narrative."
Volpe doesn't have to agree with Ignatieff. I'd be surprised if the two of them agreed on much of anything. But when you measure the validity of the other's position only by how much it resembles someone else's, then it follows that you don't have any arguments of your own. For Volpe, Stephen Harper is Volpe's argument.
And that puts Stephen Harper in control, at least inasmuch as Volpe is concerned.
Remember the first Liberal budget after the 2004 election? The Conservatives voted in support of it because it contained enough elements that they agreed with. That it was from Paul Martin did not change that fact. After Martin changed the budget as the price for NDP support, many of those elements were removed, and the Conservatives withdrew their support. Again, consistent with the objective reality of the budget document. Stephen Harper kept his emotional reaction, his distaste for the Liberal Party and whatever personal animosity that he held for Paul Martin, in check.
Joe Volpe, on the other hand, seems to have been reduced to nothing but emotional reactions.
I'm not the only one who has noticed:
Other leadership candidates don't seem pleased about Volpe's performance or even his presence in the race.
Former public health minister Carolyn Bennett, also among 11 vying for the leadership title, said her views fall smack in the middle of rival Bob Rae, a former Ontario premier, and Ignatieff on the question of Afghanistan.
But on Volpe's provocation, she is unequivocal, saying he is becoming a problem for the contest and the party's reputation overall.
"I'm concerned that this is not what this (contest) is supposed to be about," she said, arguing Volpe was already tarred enough by the controversy over accepting $5,400 contributions from teenagers.
On the question of Volpe being a problem for the party's reputation, it has to be said that he isn't making things worse. The Liberal repution is already in tatters. He is delaying the recovery, perhaps, but then that might be giving Volpe too much credit.
What I do think is significant is that for Volpe and an unknown number of Liberal supporters, the notion that "Conservative = Bad" is an attractive one. It requires minimal mental calculation to come to a conclusion, it lends itself to a standard template for insults, and it is emotionally satisfying.
It is also useless, since any voter who is not a dyed-in-the-wool Liberal will wonder whether the Liberals have anything more to offer than Conservative-bashing. If Volpe or someone like him wins, it will be a while before the Liberals do.
That's fine by me.
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Comments
It is so typical of the liberal (and NDP) to cater to the "lowest common denominator)hence Volpe's approach to the leadership contest. What was that line from Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."
Posted by: Dave at June 19, 2006 09:55 AM
I am afraid that's all they have to offer at this point - Volpe, at least. I don't trust Volpe. I am sure there is a lot more in that man's past that we don't even know about yet. He strikes me as dirty and corrupt. Any party would be better off without him.
Posted by: Werner Patels at June 19, 2006 09:59 AM
The epiphany for Ignatief is learning that the Liberal Party he left 30 years ago no longer exists. His tone and speeches take up from where the party was in the '60s. Volpe is a mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging example of where the party has descended to in Ignatief's absence. Liberals have been so badly co-opted by leftist statists they have to look behind themselves to see the future. Manley and McLellan have got their hooks in the Liberal "renewal" process, pretty much guaranteeing the Liberal status quo if anybody but Ignatief gets it. And if Ignatief gets it, he'll find himself in charge of a well populated day-care centre.
Posted by: Skip at June 19, 2006 10:07 AM
Want to know why they want Volpe out of the race?
Because as long as he's gunning for Iggy, it makes it that much harder to make a deal for your delegates in return for future considerations.
To understand fully, recall the spectre of Craig Chandler in the last federal PC convention leadership race juxtapositioned next to Scott Brison. Scott's options where severly reduced when Craig (with all his Reform and socon baggage he entailed) gave his support to one of the front runners...guilt by association....forget about first ballot wins.
As long as Joe keeps gunning for the perceived front runner, forget about first ballot wins.
First ballot wins are essential if you want to present the illusion of a united party.
Posted by: gimbol at June 19, 2006 12:39 PM
Volpe is a poor example to put forward as a possible leader, even for the liberal party and he proved it when he ventured into kiddyland to troll for bucks. Then he lied. Telling us the kids were so impressed with his speech they were wondering how they could help him. The guy oozes all that's been ailing the liberal party pre and post Gomery. I wouldn't trust him to look after a canary. If he has any sway in the liberal party it will be to their detriment.
Posted by: Old Biddy at June 19, 2006 05:48 PM
I thought that the conservatives abstained to allow it to pass, rather than voted yea.
Posted by: Anonymous at June 20, 2006 12:50 AM
FDLMAO... "Volpe is a mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging ..." I though they
all were in the leadership race. Iggy has the best chance to distance
himself from the party though and to position himself as pre
Treaudo...having left the country for 30 years... he can't be linked to the
scandal rich Lib's of the last 15-30 years. I don't really like the guy as
he's more an academic type rather then one of real person experiences of the last 30 years of Canada's growth and developement, but
he's a damn site better then Volpe... He's probably their best chance at a
come back within 6 years... regardless, who ever they select better be ready
to sit in opposition for 4 years cause when all the dirt comes out it's
going to get nasty... If Iggy gets in and cleans house it's their only
hope... and he'll have to get rid of the contenders he defeats as well
because from their actions during this leadership race there are far too
many quotable quotes to use against these clowns in the next election...
Posted by: MrEd at June 21, 2006 12:50 AM
Only in Canada you say - Are these the only people in a country of 30 million who qualify to become a possible Prime Minister?
Michael Ignatieff - who so loved Canada that he spent the last 30 years in the USA
Joe Volpe - who believes that 11 years olds should be allowed to contribute $5400.00 of their hard earned money to his campaign.
Bob Rae - A failure as a Premier of Ontario and now wants to be promoted to Prime Minister so that he can put Canada even further in debt as he did Ontario.
Scott Brison - A turncoat - interested in only Scott Brison. Having been caught passing inside information to his investment broker friends makes one wonder how often this was done in the past and if he got to be leader how often (in a more sutle way) he would do the same again.
Stephane Dion - Surely not another Quebecor
The saddest part is that the media in general make such a fuss over whether a candidate can speak French. They are in effect ruling out about 80 % of Canadian residents. I'm sure that within that 80% there would be far superior people who
would make exceptional Prime Ministers. What other country would set a standard that the only criteria to qualify as Head of Country is that you speak two languages (French and English).
Posted by: Alonzo at June 21, 2006 09:09 AM
 
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