They say if you live long enough

[cakadu]

What a slap in the face to long time liberal backbenchers who were small "c" conservatives. That Belinda switched sides to further her own ambitions does not come as a real surprise. The fact that after less than a year as a sitting MP she gets a cabinet position is somewhat of a surprise and a real snub to those who may have been more deserving (and that is said with a grain of salt) of a cabinet post.

It will remain to be seen if her ambition outstrips her ability, however short-lived it may end up being. The people who voted for her and supported her in her recent nomination may feel somewhat differently.

If you look at recent polls, in Ontario, the Liberals are back at 43%, with the Conservatives at something like 31%.

I agree emrald - the votes now stand at 152 apiece with the 2 independent votes being the deciders. Can you imagine the wining (or is it whining) and dining that will be going on there. In the event of a tie, it will go to the Liberals.

I understand where farmers_son is coming from in what he says - may not agree, but in some respects it does make sense from a business standpoint - the moral and ethical standpoint is a whole other kettle of fish!!!!

[cowman]

Belinda Stronach is a true Canadian....part of the eastern power block? Liberal? Conservative? Doesn't really matter, just as long as they serve the "national interest"?
I view this defection as a very positive thing as maybe it will finally wake some people up to the fact this country just won't work!
I wonder how this latest little deal will play out in Quebec? Obviously Martin and his gang are pulling out all the stops to remain in power...for the "national interest"? Do you think your average Quebec voter will be cynical of this move and see it as a blatant attempt to thwart their desires? What about the west? Do you think your average western voter will feel the "fix" is in?
Now that Stronach has defected to the liberals, how long until the smear campaign starts? A smear campaign of Harper and in a bigger sense of Alberta? Will the Ontario voter buy it...again?

[FarmRanger]

farmers_son, Last week Belinda was beaking off about Liberal corruption. This week she joins them. She may not be able to be bought with money, but she did get a cabinet post in the Liberal government. Bought and paid for, 'nuff said.

[FarmRanger]

Just heard on the news that Martin is trying to recruit more Conservatives to cross the floor. After thinking about this mess for 24 hours, I have come to the conclusion that the Conservative party are well rid of Belinda and anyone else who chooses to follow her. Turncoats and opportunists are not what it takes to make good leaders, anywhere.

[farmers_son]

Interesting you mention the sponsorship scandal and Liberal corruption. Martin said Stronach will be charged with implementing the Gomery recommendations once they are announced. That is of course if Stonach and Liberals get in again as Martin has already committed to an election once Justice Gomery makes those recommendations.

As former President and CEO of Magna Corp. Stronach will gain incredible experience in her new cabinet post. That kind of experience is hard to come by. When Martin made it clear to Stronach that she had no prospects in the Conservative party as long as he was leader didn't he kind of force her hand? I would have done it if I had been in her place. Martin deserves some of the blame for his mishandling of his people.

My impression is Stronach is no dummy, or a dipstick blonde or any of the other names the Conservatives are calling her. When I look at the calibre of people that were sent to Ottawa from Alberta to represent us as MPs I shake my head in dismay. At least Stronach has something on the ball.

[farmers_son]

farmers_son, you certainly have a right to your obvious support of Belinda and Martin, but please don't lump all Alberta MP's into your comments about the 'calibre' we sent to Ottawa. I don't know which ones you are referring to but I can tell you that our MP is an honest, decent man with family values that we can all be proud of. He is committed to trying to change things for the better as evidenced by his prior career in municipal politics, health region board, and spending hundreds of hours volunteering for his community. I am sure that many of Alberta MP's have done the same.

[wilagro]

My cynicism deepens as more of the defection is aired. A good many people are going to be pissed off with these power brokers and hopefully will toss out the lot.
Time to get more involved with the political process and start reform from the grassroots up.

[cowman]

I obviously don't know Belinda Stronach. But consider her record? Two failed marriages...both lasting just a few years?
Dropped out of business school...but no problem there when daddy owns this big corporation that she can step into?
One of the most disturbing things I noticed in the CBC footage last night was a little blurb about her and Peter McKay? He is looking at her like the sun rises and sets on her....and she is looking at him like some sort of cold fish!
Her snotty interview with Peter Mansbridge told me one thing...that she is totally devoid of any human characteristics! Definitely one of the "elite" who really can't feel anything for anybody. I pity poor old Peter McKay?

[farmers_son]

Emrald1: You are right and anytime we lump people together we will most likely open ourselves to correction. I see a number of Conservative MPs from Alberta who were considered competent enough to be handed shadow cabinet positions. Diane Ablonczy, Citizenship and Immigration; James Rajotte, Industry; Bob Mills, Environment; Monte Solberg, Finance; Rahim Jaffer, Infrastructure and Communities; Jim Prentice, Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Without knowing the MP you are referring to I believe you would be right in your opinion of that person and there are many MPs who would have the same high qualities.

Unfortunately some get in by winning the party nomination rather than being the best candidate. Our MP would fall into that category.

Obvious support for Martin and Stronach? I was not in favour of an election so soon, preferring to wait until Gomery made his recommendations. I do not know what to think of Stronach but I hate to see people vilified for making what could be a difficult and personal decision. Even rich people and even politicians have some morals and personal values. Who knows, Stronach might have some too.

In her new role as Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal Belinda will not be in charge of areas that are particularly important to me. If there is no election this June and government can focus on more important matters until later this year, hopefully after the border is open to live cattle, then that suits me just fine. I saw Bloc would be the big winners of an election if one were held right now and that did not agree with me.

[farmers_son]

Good Lord farmers_son, Belinda will be responsible for implementing the recommendations and direction of the Gomery inquiry, and that doesn't seem like a responsible duty ?????????
Nobody wants this country spending money on elections but if the Martin government continues on their drunken sailor spending spree by the time the Gomery inquiry is complete the country will be broke !!!

[grassfarmer]

So what are the chances of Belinda following up on her crusade to get the border open to live exports - remember how she was telling us that the Government had tackled the issue entirely the wrong way?

[grassfarmer]

Just as she called the Liberals corrupt !!! I can just see her and Rick Pascal settling the issue in no time !!!