Until late in the 2007 campaign, McGuinty was looking like he'd only score a minority against Tory. Then Tory decided to talk about funding faith based private schools and all hell broke loose. McGuinty got a nice majority but only because Tory basically handed it to him. If Tory had just kept his mouth shut, McGuinty would have been in a very tight race to the very end. That's what I mean when I say McGuinty's support was not very deep.
throw Mcguinty out now!!!
- Thread starter dagwood69
- Start date
There is no doubt that a weak opposition has perpetuated this situation and that really has not changed to this day. It is beginning to look however that the proverbial "bag of pucks" would be better than this group.Until late in the 2007 campaign, McGuinty was looking like he'd only score a minority against Tory. Then Tory decided to talk about funding faith based private schools and all hell broke loose. McGuinty got a nice majority but only because Tory basically handed it to him. If Tory had just kept his mouth shut, McGuinty would have been in a very tight race to the very end. That's what I mean when I say McGuinty's support was not very deep.
I'm not that familiar with every provincial premier or opposition leader outside of ON. But, judging by the ones I am familiar with, I'd have to say we have a serious shortage of talent and that includes all the federal leaders. Politics has become a dirty business and I can't say that I'm surprised that our best and brightest stay away. They can make more money in the real world without all the hassle. McGuinty has been lucky that none of the opposition leaders has been able to take him down. In spite of that fatal mistake in 2007, Tory would probably make a better premier or mayor of Toronto than the ones we have now. I was praying that he'd make another run for mayor but he's had enough abuse for one lifetime. So we get to choose from the likes of Harper, Iggy, Layton, Hudak, McGuinty, Ford and Smitherman. It's like a fucking nightmare.There is no doubt that a weak opposition has perpetuated this situation and that really has not changed to this day. It is beginning to look however that the proverbial "bag of pucks" would be better than this group.
Lol I agree with you, but doesn't it just say something when that yahoo Ford is leading McSquint's former righthand in the polls.I was praying that he'd make another run for mayor but he's had enough abuse for one lifetime. So we get to choose from the likes of Harper, Iggy, Layton, Hudak, McGuinty, Ford and Smitherman. It's like a fucking nightmare.
BTW how do you think Iggy looks in his plaid shirt as he tours rural Ontario? Trudeau in a canoe worked somehow but Iggy just looks more uncomfortable than usual, if that's possible.
Iggy looks awkward most of the time and the plaid shirt just underlines how out of place he is out in the boonies. But I read an article about his visit to the Calgary stampede that claimed he looked better in a ten gallon hat than Harpo. Something about his height, lanky frame and weathered face lets him play an OK cowboy. Go figure. Iggy can also pull a better fake smile than Harpo. Iggy smiles with most of his face and often manages to look happy with a dash of smug. Harpo usually manages something between a frozen rictus and a self-conscious grimace. He looks like he just farted and hopes nobody noticed. I wish they'd both step aside and let us try again. We could pick 2 names out of a phone book and take our chances.
Tory did not bring up the school funding, the Liberals did.Until late in the 2007 campaign, McGuinty was looking like he'd only score a minority against Tory. Then Tory decided to talk about funding faith based private schools and all hell broke loose. McGuinty got a nice majority but only because Tory basically handed it to him. If Tory had just kept his mouth shut, McGuinty would have been in a very tight race to the very end. That's what I mean when I say McGuinty's support was not very deep.
The funding was less than a paragraph in a 80something page document. The funding was an idea ALL the leadership candidates supported and was approved at the Party's special meeting. The policy was ill conceived but could have been sold if packaged differently.
Tory could have reclaimed the policy if he had hammered McGuinty on the face that McGuinty's family already benefited from faith based funding (Catholic system) and had attacked McGuinty hard on some issues. But Tory likes to be a conciliator and find common ground rather than confront.
As for Don Valley West, Tory was screwed no matter where he ran. The teachers union was still pissed at the PC Party for what Harris did and bussed in over 700 "volunteers" to work for the Liberals.
The fact that people prefer Ford is probably good in a fucked up sort of way. It indicates that the people have finally had it up to here with poor service, incompetence and out of control spending from people like Miller and Smitherman. After that garbage strike, e-health, the 2-day TTC strike and all the bad PR about napping TTC collectors, TO voters are in revenge mode right now. It is good that the voters want change but now they'll leap from one extreme to the other and elect the nastiest neanderthal they can lay their hands on. That'd be Ford.Lol I agree with you, but doesn't it just say something when that yahoo Ford is leading McSquint's former righthand in the polls.
BTW how do you think Iggy looks in his plaid shirt as he tours rural Ontario? Trudeau in a canoe worked somehow but Iggy just looks more uncomfortable than usual, if that's possible.
lets remember Fords ideas have to be passed at counsel by a majority vote and I don't believe he'll get a majority vote from the table. In federal and provincial politics one has to abide by the leaders
or partys ideas. There is still 49% of an undecided vote in Toronto. There's one thing to spend 10 million on bike lanes on Jarvis is CRAZY!!!
or partys ideas. There is still 49% of an undecided vote in Toronto. There's one thing to spend 10 million on bike lanes on Jarvis is CRAZY!!!
Fords ideas will probably not fly in council, however the council has to answer for not supporting the platform that got the mayor elected. This is I expect the first step in a right wing swing in council ideology, the overtly left leaning councilors who actively sabotage the new mayors platforms will ahve to answer at the next election. ( I am assuming Ford wins the election for arguments sake).
The other big thing is the mayor appoints the committee members, TTC Police board, health the Zoo, etc. That is where a huge difference can be made in the spending directions of this council.
As far as McGuinty is concerned, I am of the opinion that his best before date is long gone, e-health, HST , eco fees are just a few of the issues he will have to answer for and his teflon suit is getting just a bit sticky, His finance minister just went to the unions ( who largely suppoorted him for a couple of terms) and told them that there is no money for wage increases , now he has to choices, 1) stand tough and hold to the policy and have the unions running against him or 2) Fold and have to explain that decision during the election.
The other big thing is the mayor appoints the committee members, TTC Police board, health the Zoo, etc. That is where a huge difference can be made in the spending directions of this council.
As far as McGuinty is concerned, I am of the opinion that his best before date is long gone, e-health, HST , eco fees are just a few of the issues he will have to answer for and his teflon suit is getting just a bit sticky, His finance minister just went to the unions ( who largely suppoorted him for a couple of terms) and told them that there is no money for wage increases , now he has to choices, 1) stand tough and hold to the policy and have the unions running against him or 2) Fold and have to explain that decision during the election.
