What will this week bring? I'm going to focus first on what it shouldn't bring.Last week's coverage of the election brought with it so much dross, it was hardly worth wading through. While there were a couple of objective looks at the week's events, most said more about the author than the event they were covering.
So here's the deal MEDIA. We have a scant month to actually be informed by you guys. I don't frankly care too much for your impression of how a candidate is doing, but would prefer that you cover what actually happened. I'd like to know how people reacted, speak to those people, (unless it's a partisan rally) and tell us the turnout, honestly. I read a few pieces that suggested Dion wasn't getting turnout. Do you think we are married only to your column and don't consume other forms of media? We saw with our own eyes how people turned out for Dion events and what their reaction was. Your attempt to portray the contrary is not only pathetic, but transparent.
This one for instance that suggests:
the brilliance of an early autumn weekend in beautiful British Columbia lay a trail of mangled messages, miscast backdrops and sparse crowds.
Absolute nonsense.
To be honest, I don't think opinion writers should be travelling with the party's at all. Journalists, of course, but why should opinion narratives dominate the news? Their sole objective is to glom on to what they need to either promote their guy or excoriate the opponent. I don't care what plane they are flying on. How is that useful?
That said, I think Canadians can wade through the nonsense, but we have precious little time in this country during an election to get the straight goods. Unlike the prolonged agony that we call an election in the US, our window is short. Two debates, which I think is ridiculous, and 35 days of campaigning that most people tune in and out of because hey, they have lives.
Other things to focus on this week.
The Liberals should be talking about and taking on the the report that the Con's asked for forcefully. May brought it to our attention this week. It tells us that everything they, the Con's, have been saying is patently false. We should also demand that the Conservatives tell us who supports their plan. The answer is NO ONE. Any and all handouts should succinctly note who supports the Liberal concept.
If we are speaking of things environmental, focus on Jack too. His plan isn't as bad as Harper's obviously, but demand time lines from him. Facts, details, cost, impact and the range of their relief for Canadians compared to the Lib plan. Don't let Jack off the hook.
Dion has to hit back hard. Not dirty, but factually hard. I'm a strong proponent for having an intellect leading this country. Somehow that has become a negative and I cannot understand why. Have we become a nation of non thinkers? Do we resent people who actually consider the direction of where the country should go? Have we put so little into our education system that it matters more to the masses that if you drink coffee at Tim's you are one kind of person and the 'other' is to be demeaned?
Elections should not be won or lost on this drivel.
What we have been told so far is all nonsense people. We have week two coming up. Give me your ideas of what we should do. How can we turn this around to show reality and win?
Look forward.
20 comments:
"Dion has to hit back hard. Not dirty, but factually hard."
Agree with you. He has to pound out the same message all day long so that the media "get's it". Then the next day another message - all day long. The media will have no choice but to report it.
Dion has been coming out with different things throughout a day. Well & good. But by staying to 1 theme for one day, & letting others come out with different messages, & each one going on about that, will get more out in a solid way. Where are Rae et al? It's time.
KNB Said:
"The Liberals should be talking about and taking on the the report that the Con's asked for forcefully. May brought it to our attention this week. It tells us that everything they, the Con's, have been saying is patently false. We should also demand that the Conservatives tell us who supports their plan. The answer is NO ONE. Any and all handouts should succinctly note who supports the Liberal concept.
If we are speaking of things environmental, focus on Jack too. His plan isn't as bad as Harper's obviously, but demand time lines from him. Facts, details, cost, impact and the range of their relief for Canadians compared to the Lib plan. Don't let Jack off the hook."
Agreed on both accounts, but we shouldn't be buying into the narrative that the Green Shift is the be all and end all of the liberal platform.
We need to be bringing it back down to the three pillars that we are standing for: social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity. These are the values we are advancing, and we have solid policies in all these areas.
Advancing values, priority #1.
Second, pay attention to the co-operative strategy between Harper and Layton. We know they are both primarily interested in one thing: destroying the liberal party. This co-operative strategy is evident in the two parties decisions to ignore liberals in this election. The impression one gets from this pact is that the liberals are a non-threat, are irrelevant in the current election, and that it's really between Harper and Layton.
This also plays into the narrative the two leaders have built together - that Dion is a weak leader, a non-contender.
We need some attention to be put on this right away, and we need some ideas for how we can overcome Dion's so called "weak leadership."
Address the "weak leadership narrative," priority #2.
Finally, pay attention to the geography of the election. Harper is clearly focussed on making further inroads into Quebec and Ontario. While it is important that we give attention to regional differences, we should be focussed on Canada as a Nation. We should be playing the Nation card, especially with Dion as leader.
Focus on Canada as a Nation, priority #3.
but we shouldn't be buying into the narrative that the Green Shift is the be all and end all of the liberal platform.
Excellent points dr. tux and as I read what you said, I wonder if there isn't a way to show that the intent of the Green Shift is to mesh all of what you propose.
That is of course it's intent, so what's the catch phrase? How can we make the link and make it known?
The Liberals just have to get this on TV and there fortunes will change:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SDz1bwheFdE
"..their fortunes.."
penlan, I think you'll see the team come out next week.
Momemtum my friend. The ability to react is important too though.
I'm a strong proponent for having an intellect leading this country. Somehow that has become a negative and I cannot understand why. Have we become a nation of non thinkers?
Well for sure. Whatever suits your current candidate, dear, that's what Canada should change to. Intellect didn't matter when Chretien was your man for many years, did it though? Nope, you hadda be a tuff politishen then. Now we should all hush and behold the "intellect" that is Dion.
Oh yeah.. they have to get it out there that the environmental plans of the NDP and the Tories will have big emitters passing costs down to the consumer.
Mcginty sort of asked Baird this morning on QP but he should have explained why energy prices would go up.
oh and one more thing.. speaking of the media someone should get the CTV to add Dion's 7 years as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs to his experience under "The Leaders".
me dere...who put that together?
I don't think it's whole answer, but it's good exposure.
Anon, you have no idea if Chretien was my man or not.
As to his intellect, you show yours if you assume he had none.
That people like you, who obviously think it's cute/clever to debase, actually vote, makes me crazy...but that's our system and I stand by it.
me dere robert. (I sing song that with a Nfld. accent leaning to the Scottish. Am I wrong?)
McGuinty was on cpac with Donais the other day and was excellent.
He asked the cost question today and the host didn't push. What a surprise!
Big mouth bass, Baird, said nothing and looked like the idiot he is.
If you live in Ottawa-West Nepean, vote for Pratt.
All is nice to talk about what Dion should do. Some very good ideas. too.
Does Dion not have advisers as to what to do, and who are they, anyone know ?
This blog site is exactly what will help get the proper people involved and discussing this federal election. People who care about the most important issue of our existence, which is saving the planet! Most the people blogging, analyzing, and offering their opinions, have for the most part talked about stupid things like who is better at shaking hands and kissing babies. The real issue is right here, how to get the correct information out to the smart people of Canada who care about our future and our environment and aren't solely preoccupied with trying to save a hundred bucks a year on lower taxes or saving a couple of cents on diesel fuel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTMIGD7Bq3g Canada used to care about our planet, Stephane Dion was a pivotal player who helped get all the other countries of the world together to fight global warming (except USA and a few others): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SfO-Z3QWCY&feature=related Canada was a reputable country who other countries looked to for help and guidance, that has changed in a very short period of two and a half years, the same amount of time Steven Harper and his Conservatives took over our country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHiNqji2ObM&feature=related We have also been lied to and they are continue to lie to us Canadians about who stephane dion is how their so called record has been and they want to scare us into believing the real issues of this election is the price of gas and the troubling times of our economy, these are lies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvE9EN4YPGM&feature=related Very smart people have come out and endorsed the Stephane Dion green shift plan that deals with doing our part in the world to change global warming trends and events: Changing the current direction Canada has been going with Steven Harpers so called leadership will be a challenge, however the more people continue to talk about and educate themselves about what really is going on here, than the greater the opportunity for success. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abAAi98DPkc&feature=related Thank you for taking the time to view my comment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux_s2l26dUc&feature=related
KNB - remember we discussed the latest decorating and fashion, blue and orange...well, I noticed on CTV QP today that John Baird and Mike Duffy both had orange ties and blue shirts.
Yup, the Blue and Orange Coalition.
Perhaps Dion should use his environment critic, David McGuinty, to explain the plan across the country with Dion by his side for discussion.
Nobody is askimg hard and direct questions . Like I want to hear about how much MORE oil sands production / activity is OKed in the future By MR Nasty ???
I never heard one word about his" plan " For the Green Jobs >>>
if he has any plan at all
The debate should be focusing on these questions.
marta
For an accurate, if depressing assessment of where the campaign stands at the start of Week 3, read Chatal Hebert's column out today in the Toronto Star (you can read it at National Newswatch).
She and Steve V. have exacttly the same assessment.
Amen knb :)
I want to make an amend to what I wrote in an earlier comment here.
I said that Dion should stick to one message each day, whatever that might be. Like Harper's lies, program cuts, etc. I still think he should. What I forgot is that he is in different parts of the country & is addressing needs there. He must do that but he could always tag his "message of the day" there along with whatever his announcements are in that district.
marta - it's the start of week 2, not 3...lol. You almost gave me a heart attack on that one. ;)
I just don't get why H. is not being attacked on his record, on his bullying, on his disdain for parliament and canadians, on his disregard for health care, on his main preoccupation, namely ensuring that we give the US gets all the oil and gas they want, on his disastrous handling of money and the economy, on his apparent ideological flip flops, on his blatant image shifting to fit the occasion - he's ripe for the picking!!!
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