Steve Janke: Angry in the Great White North

The benefit of not accepting the accepted wisdom

2009-11-10T15:07:50Z

The accepted wisdom said that the Conservatives could never pull out a win in Bloc-dominated Quebec, and yet in yesterday's by-elections, the Tories took a Bloc-held riding.

First job for Peter Donolo: Getting Mark Holland to shut up

2009-11-03T13:23:55Z

Liberal MP Mark Holland is the poster boy for what ails the Liberal Party when it comes to communications, a top priority for incoming chief of staff for Michael Ignatieff, Peter Donolo. Ironically, Mark Holland exhibits this problem while praising Peter Donolo. Really, Peter Donolo ought to find a quiet corner for Holland where Holland can sit quietly and watch the grownups work.

Jean Chretien and his gifts to Canadian conservatism

2009-11-03T11:54:19Z

Former prime minister Jean Chretien might very well be the best thing that ever happened to Canadian conservatism.

Liberal Party: We can do better press releases...not!

2009-10-28T14:58:38Z

The Liberal Party under Michael Ignatieff has made a promise: "We can do better." For a start, let's try managing our H1N1 flu press releases a little bit more carefully, shall we?

Michael Ignatieff fires his Chief of Staff [Apology Added]

2009-10-28T11:33:58Z

Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff, having led this party to the mid-20s in the polls, has fired his Chief of Staff, Ian Davey. This leads to uncomfortable question of just how is it that Ian Davey can be blamed for Liberal misfortune.

Dislodging the Conservatives? The Liberals have only one real option

2009-10-26T12:01:19Z

The Conservatives seem to have settled into the 40% range for support, while the Liberals continue to drop, now showing 25% in the latest poll. Canadians are not listening to the Liberals at this point, and that is very bad news for Michael Ignatieff. Now the Liberals face the daunting task of dislodging the Conservatives, not just trying to catch up with them. The volatility in the electorate seems to be fading. So how do you dislodge a dug in opponent? By doing something very dramatic. I just don't think the Liberals have the guts to do what I propose.

Garth Turner leaves politics as a failure

2009-10-14T13:32:15Z

Former Liberal MP Garth Turner has abandoned his quest for a seat in the next election. And in classic Garth Turner fashion, he blames everyone around him. In doing so, he cements his legacy, not as a politician who merely lost, but as one who failed.

Exclusive: Statement from DCFLA Membership Chair on Garth Turner

2009-10-13T09:22:52Z

Exclusive to Angry in the Great White North, Dufferin-Caledon Federal Liberal Association Membership Chair Janet Rosenstock reveals details concerning Garth Turner's aborted attempt to become the Liberal Party candidate for the riding.

Recharging the legal batteries

2009-10-12T21:55:09Z

It's been a year since failed MP Blair Wilson filed his lawsuit. I looked for donations when the suit was started. One year later, I'd like to ask for your generosity again.

Garth Turner is turfed as Dufferin-Caledon candidate [Update: The real reason]

2009-10-12T19:52:07Z

Some time back, I wrote about what I discovered to be serious divisions in the Dufferin-Caledon Liberal Party riding association about having Garth Turner stand as the candidate. A key aspect of that division was the refusal by the federal Liberal Party (Ontario) to give the go-ahead for a nomination meeting, and the suggestion that the meeting would be held off as long as Garth Turner was the only nominee. It seems like the anti-Garth-Turner faction has succeeded, and Garth Turner has quit his campaign to be the nominee. Latest Update: The real reason for quitting the race? Because it was about to become a race.

Garth Turner and respecting intellectual property

2009-10-12T19:42:14Z

Garth Turner pioneered digital democracy, or at least that's what he says. In any case, you would think someone so into the digital world would be more careful about the use of digital imagery without permissions.

Good polls? Yay! Bad poll? What poll?

2009-10-12T09:20:12Z

I try not to discuss polls simply because it's too easy to fixate on favourable polls and then get caught ignoring bad polls. Personally, I would find that embarrassing.

But does Bob Rae support and follow Michael Ignatieff?

2009-10-11T11:37:19Z

Is Bob Rae undermining the leadership of Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff. Well, he never actually says he isn't.

Happy Thanksgiving to the members of the Liberal Party

2009-10-09T15:13:48Z

A Thanksgiving message for members of the Liberal Party. They might not feel like they have much to be thankful for right now. And they don't. So it's not a pleasant message. But it's one they need to hear if they want still be Liberals when next Thanksgiving comes around.

Michael Ignatieff sings: Where are his handlers?!

2009-10-09T12:54:43Z

OK, I don't know why I feel compelled to help, but here is some advice for Michael Ignatieff, not that it matters now. After Stephen Harper's tour de force performance at the NAC Gala, you must not ever sing. Ever! It will be seen as sad and pathetic. So what does Michael Ignatieff do? He sings!