The Hook

And we care because?

Polls are like the weather, always changing. Governments have been making too many decisions based on the plethora of polls rather than consulting their constituents.

One has to question the validity of polls such as this. The sample is so small compared to the number of potential voters for one. Another problem is that there is no guarantee that those that gave their opinions will actually vote next election or whether they are being honest with the interviewer.

We will care if Mr Minority ...

lays claim to an issue that propels him to a majority.

Call it the Aventine scenario from 1925.
Or the Reichstag scenario from 1933.
Or the Castillo-Calvo scenario from 1936.

Nah - not our cuddly sweater-vester?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVI19BXNBhk

"Any excuse will serve a tyrant."
Aesop's Fable - The Wolf and the Lamb

Tories still up 4 points in Angus Reid poll

The latest Angus Reid Public Opinion poll finds the Conservatives up four points:

Conservatives: 33%

Liberals: 29%

New Democrats: 19%

Bloc: 10%

Green: 7%

Research Director Hamish Marshall writes in an email:

"We have shown a tightening of the gap between the Liberals and Conservatives, but not a tie. The government still has a four point lead. What is striking about the shifts in opinions in the last few weeks is that while views of the Prime Minister have gotten worse and Conservative support has trended down, Ignatieff’s numbers have not increased with Liberal ballot support."

Now 5 more pigs at the trough.

Appointing another five Tory hacks as senators to snuffle up to the trough should just about take care of any excuse he gave that prorogation was anything more than politricks and take care of any lead the Tories have.

'Reform'. The Senate.

Harper always said that one of reasons for proroguing was because the Liberals in Senate were being obstructionist. So, he was going to fulfill his duty and appoint some to the vacant seats. When Parliament returns the legislation will then proceed without the Liberals blocking legislation.

Good appointments. No serious commentator has described them as 'hacks'.

The polls are very dangerous

The polls are very dangerous and shouldn't be permitted at least a month before elections, because many people, who have absolutely no idea of the issues, always vote for the leaders in polls, thinking that the majority should know who is best.

Ed Deak.

Harper's new Seantors

Appoint a party president?

What a bunch of Conservative hacks.

r'man

I'm sorry you're the only Tory hack not being appointed to the Senate.

realistically, Mr Minority's Senate stuffing

... is best described not as a 'hack' attack.

Unlike his last payola drive to the trough :
http://preview.tinyurl.com/Hacks-for-Harper

This time, serious commentators are calling them 'lapdogs':
http://preview.tinyurl.com/LapDogs-for-Harper

Oilberta

Cute. Your link takes us to Don Martin's article that was written BEFORE the new Senators were named. Either Martin is clairvoyant or simply assuming.

Well this is the 4th poll in

Well this is the 4th poll in a row that has them both at a dead heat, first one in ages where Libs are ahead although well within the margin of error.

I wonder who will get most of that green vote? greens usually poll 9-11% but only get 4-5% come election day.

SERIOUS COMMENT

It has been alleged that the reason for Pee Wee's Senate appointment gambit was to counter an obstructionist vein in the current Red Chamber.

This is, according to Conservative apologists for the dictator, a move to advance the tough on crime agenda through the Senate where, according to their fairy tale world, these 'important' bills are stalled.

This is, plain an simple, a LIE - not all that different from virtually everything else Pee Wee and his army of mental dwarfs puts out.

For those who care to check, Gloria Galloway has an excellent piece on the subject in today's (Saturday Jan 30) Globe and Mail at page A13.

For those who don't have access to the paper Globe, it can be read by following this link:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/selections-end-liberal-obstruction-of-agenda-tories-say/article1450371/

Nicholson and his puppet master are, quite plainly, LIARS.

They shame themselves and the country by their behavior - perhaps another $75 billion for the banks will convince Canadians that they are not sliding down a serious spiral both economically and morally ... pls note the result of today's G&M reader Poll while you're on their site.

realistically, clairvoyance and assumptions

... are the only tools permitted to the faith-based community while awaiting Revelation from the Dear Leader.

In contrast, the factual-based communities saw the Great Recession arrive while Mr Minority was breaking his election law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkk_OR6Dqt8

So too now, many - including Don Martin - saw the lapdogs sniffling around their masters' feet in the sure and certain hope of eternal rewards.

Oily

Knickers do become twisted when glory is mistaken for pragmatism.

from the Globe piece praised above:

"Although senators can hold their seats until they turn 75, all of the new appointees have promised to support Conservative legislation that would limit their terms to eight years. "

Stephen Harper maintains his objective at Senate Reform by NOT telling these people that it's for life. They agree.

Someone grab that outstretched hand, it's Iggy, he NOW want's to jump on to the bandwagon. What kept ya Ig? Let me guess.

True sincerity from the Igmeister

“I'm committed to Senate reform. Let's get a proposition on Senate reform that we can take to the provinces, get buy-in, and then we'll look at how we nominate and choose our senators,” Mr. Ignatieff said at a news conference. "

realistically, Mr Minority's promises

... have been found as wanting as his fiscal competence:
http://trustbreaker.freehostia.com/

Still, it's always heartening when the lapdogs admit to their partisan hackery.

They all promised.

Just like Preston Manning wouldn't move into Stornaway and just like all those Reformers promised they wouldn't take their pensions. Oh yeah, I am so relieved they promised. Another five party hacks at the trough with "integrity".