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2010 Olympics

'He can't give you the finger in those things': PM Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper got a laugh at the expense of British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell's red Olympic mittens today.

The pair were together for a no-questions-allowed photo opportunity with the Olympic torch in Campbell's office in the B.C. legislature. Campbell observed that the $10 mittens he was wearing were great for giving the thumbs up.

“You can't put anything up but the thumb,” said Harper. Then, after a pause, to reporters, “He can't give you the finger in those things.”

Campbell, with a laugh, responded, “I've never experienced that.”

[Note: There was discussion among reporters whether Harper said "I can't give you the finger" or "You can't give me the finger" or "He can't give you the finger." After review of video from The Canadian Press, we agreed it was the latter.]

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.

18  Comments:

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  • G West

    2 years ago

    And

    Gordon Campbell tells another lie.

  • Frank

    2 years ago

    Campbell's lies?

    Isn't that like counting stars? on a clear night... in Port Alice...

  • brewster789

    2 years ago

    2010 olympics

    Aah, but we all know, under that brightly coloured mitten, he continues to give the finger to all of B.C.

  • Skywalker

    2 years ago

    Not one finger

    He's been giving us all four.

  • DPL

    2 years ago

    I looked to see if Gordo's

    I looked to see if Gordo's handlers had a string around his neck so he won't lose his mittens. The guy acts like a kid with a new toy. Wonder who paid for his mitts? Not Gordo for sure

  • OilbertaRedTory

    2 years ago

    Harper's fingers ...

    ... are all over this recession :

    http://tinyurl.com/HarperSteady

  • Wilfride Laurier

    2 years ago

    And at the end of the day.....

    Gordon Campbell has still accomplished what no NDP premier in BC history ever has. He has been reelected and more than once!

  • RossK

    2 years ago

    Ya, But.....

    ...Just because you can't give anyone the finger doesn't mean you can't take questions.

    Which begs the question.....

    Why were there even reporters there covering the thing if that was the case?

    _____
    (perhaps they were hoping they would be lucky and/or corp-connected enough to bepicked out of the herd to run with the torch?)

  • Skywalker

    2 years ago

    Wilfride

    Yes he has because the media has avoided covering his mistakes.

  • G West

    2 years ago

    Hey Wilf

    It's WilfRid...you still haven't got it right in your present incarnation.

    Hitler, once elected, was never defeated in the polls - not sure that serial fooling of the people is much of a recommendation.
    But then, the people of BC ARE pretty stupid.

  • Wilfride Laurier

    2 years ago

    Sure, Garth.....

    "But then, the people of BC ARE pretty stupid."

    Everybody but you, right, Garth?

  • RossK

    2 years ago

    Nope....

    Not the people.

    As for the press poodles that show-up at photo-ops and drool over CP-Pool-footage to see if they've got the darling 'quote' right....

    Well?

    .

  • G West

    2 years ago

    Pretty much Wilfride....

    At least I know how to spell the name of the avatar you chose - and managed to screw up both times...extrapolate whatever you wish from that.

  • Wilfride Laurier

    2 years ago

    Sticks and Stones, Garth

    Sticks and stones, Garth. You have been rating your hate of the premier here for years, to absolutely no effect whatsoever. Keep it up, such negativism plays right into the government's hands. It's pretty obvious what you are doing isn't working in your favour.

  • Wilfride Laurier

    2 years ago

    Sticks and Stones, Garth

    Sticks and stones, Garth. You have been rating your hate of the premier here for years, to absolutely no effect whatsoever. Keep it up, such negativism plays right into the government's hands. It's pretty obvious what you are doing isn't working in your favour.

  • G West

    2 years ago

    Wilf

    At least I know how to spell the name of the avatar you chose - and managed to screw up both times...extrapolate whatever you wish from that.

    I'm not talking about the Premier - everybody knows what he is and how he got there despite leading the absolutely worst government since the end of the second world war; I'm talking about you!

    Someone who can't even spell his chosen stage name accurately after a couple of tries and numerous generous corrections.

    And, while we're at it, how many times have you been banned now?

    Just asking, you know, in a friendly way.

    I guess there are a lot of folks out there who are equally blind to reality eh?

  • Wilfride Laurier

    2 years ago

    Haha!

    Garth, thanks for the laugh! What a loser!

  • G West

    2 years ago

    Glad we agree 'Wilfride'

    That's a very apt description of the Premier:

    Quote:
    What a loser!

    Couldn't put it any better myself.

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