Damn

Well it shouldn't be a surprise, but it is. I thought if anyone could beat the bastard, cancer, it would be Layton. This is a huge setback, but don't count the NDP out. It really is bigger than one man. It survived after Douglas, it survived after Lewis, it survived after Broadbent. It hung on during the dark days of the nineties and it will survive now. Condolences, go out to his family.

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Jack Layton

If anyone can beat cancer it is Jack Layton.

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Lost In Translation?

Impolitical has some questions for Brother James, whoever that is. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. ;)

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End Of the World Watch

A nice story about Jack Layton and in a Post newspaper.

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Closing, Closing, Closing

Jack Layton. The "Happy Warrior" of Canadian politics?



A great ad. Positive and plays to the dissatisfaction with the other guys.

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Jack's Narrative

That "Ottawa is broken and people want change" is working, because it is demonstrably true on both counts. Now all he has to do is get the anti-Harper vote to coalesce around him and he is home and dry.

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Look Out Jack

I hear the sound of artillery being swung in your direction. Of course, in the perverse world you inhabit, that is a much better place to be than out of the battle altogether. As an aside, it does kind of put Harper's coalition argument down the crapper. If you happen to destroy the Bloc and hold the balance of power, you will be a hero in English Canada (and you are already the most popular leader). It is hard to create a constitutional crisis in those circumstances. Harper will of course, now try to chip at your numbers in Quebec, in order to help the Bloc out. As I said, you live and work in a perverse world.

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To Hell With A Senate Referendum, Jack

And bold move over electoral reform, Jack. Another committee to study it. Way to go. With initiatives like that, we will see electoral reform sometime after Jesus comes back to Earth.

Here's a counter proposal. Adopt a position, publicly, before an election, that the NDP will not form a coalition with any party that will not agree to the immediate abolition of the Senate and to implement electoral reform. Let the election be your referendum. That is how responsible government is supposed to work.

Update: Rob Silver provides an almost instant taste of the stuff the Liberals would spread during an actual referendum. They specialize in this kind of thing. You see according to Rob Silver, we can't do anything, ever, in this country, because maybe Hitler will rise from his grave and demand equalization payments, if we do. As I said Jack, the only thing these bastards listen to is a kick in the balls. Use whatever leverage you have after the next election wisely. Your coalition partners are evil pricks.

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And...Poof

Just like that, all of the talk of capitulation disappears into a cloud of smoke. The Conservatives got what they wanted, the last news cycle before escaping for a week, was dominated by breathless Liberal accounts of Layton's evil intent, rather than of Bev Oda's lack of candor. Liberals, is there no Conservative trick they won't fall for?

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Pant On Fire Alert

Stephen Harper on talks with the Taliban:

Canada and its allies “have always supported attempts at reconciliation,” Mr. Harper told reporters during a press conference here with Swiss President Doris Leuthard.

Always eh? I am sure "Taliban Jack" Layton would beg to disagree.

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Question For Jack Layton

Are you going to let the government get away with this kind of douchebaggery, or are you going to crack the whip and save the long gun registry?

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Shorter Jack Layton

On Power and Politics today: "Gee, I wish we could make the Prime Minister turn over the documents to Parliament, but it's not like Parliament is supreme or anything. Maybe you guys in the media can do some digging for us." Pathetic. It makes me wonder what the Hell we were doing on January 23rd, protesting in support of a Parliament that won't lift a Goddamn finger to save itself.

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Business As Usual

One day to go until Parliament resumes and what is the big story in the MSM? Is it the looming showdown between Parliament and the PMO over documents? No. Is it the budget? No. How about Senate reform? Not even close. The big story is the "controversy" surrounding Jack Layton's behavior in a Toronto bar, on Sunday. Sigh.

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Wheelin' And Dealin'

Warren smells a dirty deal. He may be right, but not I suspect, with Layton. As a side note, I wonder if Warren had a hand in the mini-parade following Layton around? I suspect not. Why give the fourth party the satisfaction of knowing you might be worried about them? Warren strikes me as being too smart to give anything away.

Update: Now that we know there was no deal, how long will it be before a Liberal affects boredom with the whole thing and claims that it was just another case of Layton trying to get attention? Not long is my guess.

Update 2: I guess I was wrong. I guess Warren won't let reality get in the way of an entertaining fiction. He is having his own "keep the government's hands off my medicare" moment.

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Layton And Quebec

Let's just say, I agree with Chantal Hebert. However, Dion still has one weapon in his arsenal that Layton can only dream about -- pundit inertia.

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