Saturday, October 13, 2007

In for a Penny, In for a Pound(ing)?

Had you asked me yesterday, I would have said that it would be tough to make Dion's fight any harder. As happens often in my life however, I stand corrected.

After reading this and this, it would seem that there is some mysterious star alignment out there, determined to give Dion the fight of his life.

I don't know how or if this book will have a major impact on Dion's fortunes, but certainly raising the spectre of division within the ranks, makes his life more difficult.

I suppose it could be argued that he could cite that as being a thing of the past and show concrete examples of how things have changed, but the media are obsessed with the "in-fighting" meme. I don't think it would be noticed, no matter what he said. They do not follow him. Too sorry they.

While my honest desire is for unbiased, insightful, reporting, at this moment in time, it would be nice to find a reporter sympathetic to Dion. I'm not suggesting that either of these writers is not. In fact, I think they are simply telling us what a gossip-fest this book is going to be. The fact remains however, that the timing is not good.

Well, one thing I do know for sure, Dion is no coward. I understand that is how the con's would like to portray him, but that does not add up with the facts about the man.

I guess we are about to see how honed his "avalanche survival" skills are.

11 comments:

Steve V said...

"I guess we are about to see how honed his "avalanche survival" skills are."

I mailed him a locator beacon last week ;)

"it would be nice to find a reporter sympathetic to Dion."

For fun, we should try to find news items and opinion pieces on Dion from exactly one year ago today (Hebert excluded). I remember when Dion won, I argued that his apparent good standing with the media would be an asset moving forward. What an amazing turn of events.

Ryan said...

Any idea how the Liberals will vote on the throne speech? I really have no idea...

Anonymous said...

Just wondering if you recall what you said about Mulroney writing about Trudeau - should the same not be said about Chretien??

Karen said...

Steve, there's a worthy project! A contrast and compare should be done. It's going to rain for the next few days, I might just take you up on that.

Karen said...

Ryan, nary a clue. Dion is being pressured on all sides and none shows an advantage at this point, imo.

It's down to how thick the paint is, in every corner. All options will leave a mark, but which is the least indelible, too early to tell.

The "Speech" will tell us.

Red Canuck said...

I don't know about you, but I found it deeply ironic that Martin's spokesman was today appealing for Liberal party unity. These guys have awfully short memories...

Karen said...

Barbara, indeed I recall. I reacted in much the same fashion to these articles. I'm by no means defending Chretien, nor his book.

Obviously, both are self aggrandising. I've read neither and therefore do not defend either book for it's content.

That wasn't my point however.

My point was the cumulative effect of recent news on Dion.

It's staggering really what he's been dealt and my point is, if he weathers all of this, he's made of stuff that most of us cannot imagine.

(I'm speaking in a political context. Obviously we all face obstacles larger than that fate.)

Karen said...

Who was RC? I missed that.

Red Canuck said...

Oh, I blogged about it today. You can check it out at my place, but basically Jim Pimblett, a Martin spokesman, expressed some disappointment that Chretien's memoirs were opening old wounds at a time when the Liberals should be pulling together under Dion.

I find that sentiment rich, coming from Martin's people.

Karen said...

I just went to your place RC. I agree, rich indeed.

I think avalanche might be too timid a term.

burlivespipe said...

Certainly it reverberates the old wounds and new wounds angle; but maybe, behind the scenes this will provide a balm for those who hold the real decision-making power.
A united party has healed over the Turner-Chretien battles, altho JC had a few years to gain his feet. As is usually the case, the gov't of the day defeated itself, and the rest is history...