Trudeau might be open to forming coalition with NDP, but not with Mulcair as leader

[alcina]

Last edited Thu Apr 16, 2015, 08:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Really??? Is it the beard? It's the beard, isn't it???

Jesus H Christ, as my father would say.

I read this while at a cafe, and after muttering just a bit too loudly, "Entitled little pissant," I promptly channelled my energy and my dollars into yet another donation to the NDP.

Yes, the NDP is taking votes away from the Liberals rather than the Conservatives, but Mulcair has publicly stated he's open to strategic voting --anything to get rid of Stephen Harper. As Mulcair says, Trudeau's priority does indeed appear to be Trudeau.

Sheesh.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

1. +1 for your interpretation

Trudeau is not interested in good governance. He's interested in being in power. The twerp has a big ego, but not a whit of his father's skills.

[blkmusclmachine]

2. Understanding Harper's Evangelical Mission - Signs mount that Canada's government is beholden

to a religious agenda averse to science and rational debate


http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/03/26/Harper-Evangelical-Mission/

[alcina]

4. Frightening, isn't it?

I read that some time ago and have sent it to everyone I know. I do wish this would get more press. The first time I saw Harper speak, he reminded me of Greg Stillson from Stephen King's "The Dead Zone" (Martin Sheen's character in the film). I do hope Canadians wake up in time.

[arikara]

3. I'm liking Justin less all the time

the most important thing is to get rid of harper and if it takes a coalition then so be it. The little ass would sooner let Harper irretrievably ruin the country than to share power.

Really???

[alcina]

5. I had started putting together a poll about possible outcomes

but never got around to posting it. But the gist of it was about coalitions should no one get a majority. I'm increasingly convinced that, should they be invited to form a government, the Liberals are more likely to join with the Conservatives than with the NDP. That way, Trudeau can present himself as the more reasonable and likable leader of the two parties. Can't do that if he teams with Mulcair.

[arikara]

6. Do you really think so?

What a disaster that would turn out to be.
Although from what I've seen over the Chretien and Paul Martin years the liberals are that in name only anymore. They campaign to the left but their economic policies are just as bad as the conservatives; favouring corporations, lowering taxes and cutting services. They aren't quite as destructive as the cons but close enough. The economy is the only thing that matters to either of them to the cost of everything else. It doesn't matter how likeable you are if that's the end game.

[alcina]

7. I'm leaning that way but hoping for better

As it stands, no one's on track to get a majority government, but I'm hoping the plurality is up for grabs. Support for the Cons has been pretty steady, so they may have maxed out. If they keep hammering away at Trudeau, and if Mulcair can get more airtime, then maybe, just maybe, the NDP can take the lead. (Yeah, I'm a dreamer.)

But whoever wins, without a majority, they're going to have to find support somewhere. If the Cons win, I figure they'll try to run a minority government by appealing to the LINO who support their causes. If the Libs win, Trudeau will *want* to have a minority government, but I suspect he'll be forced into a coalition because Harper will prohibit his MPs from supporting him. And while Mulcair will probably be willing, the two parties might have trouble reconciling their policy differences. And, as previously mentioned, it's hard to imagine Trudeau reaching out to Mulcair.

Of course, if the NDP wins, I can see Trudeau trying to force a coalition by prohibiting his MPs from cooperating otherwise. I don't think that would be completely successful for him, but I also could see Mulcair being conciliatory and offering a coalition government anyway. Kind of depends on how short of a majority they are and whether the Green Party can help. As for the Libs at that point, I can easily imagine them turning on Trudeau. They don't strike me as a particularly loyal bunch.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

8. whoa wait

How about Mulcair present himself as the more reasonable, intelligent, savvy, seasoned, with a respectable voting record who has always voted with his principles. Trudeau can head to the back of bench and earn a reputation, keep a low profile, loose some elitism, and plan his comeback in 10 years.

[alcina]

9. I'm not certain

But it seems that you're saying Mulcair needs to *start* presenting himself as the more reasonable candidate. I hope I'm misinterpreting that. I think he definitely is all those things, which is why I made the point earlier about him getting airtime. If more people heard him speak, I think they'd be swayed.

For example, just yesterday, following the tabling of the, uh, "budget," Mulcair gave a well-considered, reasonable, and relatively progressive response (as did Nathan Cullen, in followup), critically addressing specific items. Trudeau and his finance critic, on the other hand, sounded like college students trying to convince their teacher that they'd read last week's assignment. At one point, I almost expected Trudeau to say, "Well, I was gonna say what he said, but you asked him first." (Yes, I'll admit my biases colour my interpretation. But sometimes it's more fun that way.)

Every time I listen to Mulcair, I am more impressed with his views, his thought processes, his integrity. I read somewhere that he's actually kind of shy, which makes me respect him even more. He made an interesting comment yesterday on CBC, something to the effect that "Canadians are just one election away from getting..." all the reasonable things the NDP proposes. I liked that. It gives me tangible hope. He's not just saying, as the Libs did, that they'll do something different or better but they'll tell us about it later.* He had real responses. (*And in case you didn't hear it, that's almost exactly what Scott Brison said in one of his first interviews on CBC.)

And speaking of the budget -- I heard someone on the radio making fun of the name and offering an alternative name, which I can't recall other than that it was a joke. But if I had to name it, I'd probably call it "Budget 2015: On our way to the USA."

[laundry_queen]

10. Good post.

I agree with everything you've said.