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Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Davide — 02/ 01/ 04 2:53 pm

Author: Davide

Posted: 02/ 01/ 04 2:53 pm

Quote:

'A two-man leader race'

Unfortunately one of those two isn't Tony <grin>.

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Evilgenius — 02/ 01/ 04 2:32 pm

Author: Evilgenius

Posted: 02/ 01/ 04 2:32 pm

Chuck Strahl's endorsement will not help Clement. It will simply serve as a Career Ending Move for Strahl. He must know this, and he did it anyway.

Secondly, Clement's declaration that Belinda is not a serious candidate, is the end of his own candidacy. He is perfectly right, of course. However, you don't say things like this about other paid-up candidates. At least, not in Canada. Notice that even when Clement crashed his event, Harper was careful to point out to his audience that there were two other good candidates besides him, and he never questioned their seriousness.

Harper is going to win hands down. It won't even be close.

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

coteblanche — 02/ 01/ 04 2:16 pm

Author: coteblanche

Posted: 02/ 01/ 04 2:16 pm

How sweet it is! What goes around comes around Mr. Harper.

Will it help Tony? I have no idea, but it certainly gives us more information about a man who would accept the endorsement of a man like Strahl.

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Red Tory — 02/ 01/ 04 2:09 pm

Author: Red Tory

Posted: 02/ 01/ 04 2:09 pm

Quote:

It's literally a two-man race for the Conservative leadership because Belinda Stronach is not a legitimate contender

Now who can argue that fact?

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Stan — 02/ 01/ 04 1:17 pm

Author: Stan

Posted: 02/ 01/ 04 1:17 pm

This is a bold statement, do you think it's true?
Well, he right, there are only two men running!
------------------------------------------------
'A two-man leader race'

Stronach no contender; it's Harper and me, says Clement

By KRISTEN ENEVOLD
Sun Media

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2004/02/01/332029.html

It's literally a two-man race for the Conservative leadership because Belinda Stronach is not a legitimate contender, Tony Clement charged yesterday. "I think clearly, this is going to end up being a choice between Stephen (Harper) and myself," said Clement, in Calgary yesterday to meet with his supporters.

"And based on my view of things ... I'm going to have a lot of support in this neck of the woods."

Clement, a former Ontario Tory health minister and current leadership hopeful, said he has a lot in common with Albertans who want to oust Paul Martin's Liberals in the next election.

"Paul Martin thinks western alienation is about a list of historical grievances and that if you throw Alberta a few bones before the election, they'll be quiet," he said.

Clement's campaign gained momentum yesterday with news Conservative MP Chuck Strahl has thrown his support behind him after deciding not to seek the post himself.

STRAHL THIRD CO-CHAIR

The former Reform-Alliance MP from British Columbia announced he will be the third national co-chair of Clement's campaign alongside Tory stalwarts John Crosbie and Tom Long.

"We need a leader whose principles, politics and leadership will appeal to all parts of the country. Tony is the only candidate who has all the qualities to meet those tests," Strahl said in a statement.

The comments were a blow to the campaign of contender Stephen Harper, under whom Strahl has served as an Alliance MP.

One Harper supporter criticized Strahl as having "no capacity for longstanding personal loyalty."

"I don't think, frankly, that a Chuck Strahl endorsement means anything other than the weather vane has turned in a new direction," said MP Scott Reid, the party's critic on Privy Council issues.

Strahl led a protest by MPs who defected from the Alliance in protest over Stockwell Day's leadership. They formed a temporary coalition with the Tories.

He rejoined the party under Harper, but he never regained the prominent stature enjoyed in the party's Reform days.

Also yesterday, Stronach encountered some resistance at a meeting to form the new Conservative association for her Ontario riding.

Lois Brown, who will run against Stronach for the party nomination in Newmarket-Aurora, won the endorsement of Ontario provincial legislative member Frank Klees during the meeting. Klees is a former Ontario Tory cabinet minister.

Brown, 49, is a longtime Harper supporter who won the Alliance nomination before the two parties merged. Yesterday, 17 of her chosen candidates were elected to the 30-member riding association.

Brown said she was asked by Stronach's team to bow out of the race, but refused.

Harper's organizers claimed the victories as evidence Stronach could lose the nomination."I'm not the new one on the scene," Brown said, referring to Stronach.

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

geo_jones_dog — 01/ 31/ 04 10:59 pm

Author: geo_jones_dog

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 10:59 pm

Soulforger wrote:

Stan wrote:

Conservative MP Chuck Strahl is supporting Tony Clement for the party's leadership after announcing he hasn't been able to raise the money to join the race himself.

Didn't someone here say he was supporting Belinda like a week or so ago?

The Vancouver Province did a piece that said he had all but endorsed her after he said he wasn't running.

Oooops

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

geo_jones_dog — 01/ 31/ 04 10:59 pm

Author: geo_jones_dog

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 10:59 pm

Double post...

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

geo_jones_dog — 01/ 31/ 04 10:59 pm

Author: geo_jones_dog

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 10:59 pm

Soulforger wrote:

Stan wrote:

Conservative MP Chuck Strahl is supporting Tony Clement for the party's leadership after announcing he hasn't been able to raise the money to join the race himself.

Didn't someone here say he was supporting Belinda like a week or so ago?

The Vancouver Province did a piece that said he had all but endorsed her after he said he wasn't running.

Oooops

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Sledge Hammer — 01/ 31/ 04 10:52 pm

Author: Sledge Hammer

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 10:52 pm

This is excellent news!

All we need now is for Deb Gray to back Stronach. (or did Preston Manning beat her to the punch?)

Then may be we can all get back to attacking the Liberals.

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

t_link — 01/ 31/ 04 10:50 pm

Author: t_link

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 10:50 pm

He probaly said alot of nice things about her and came close to backing her, but really knew he couldnt back her, so he waited for a better time.

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Soulforger — 01/ 31/ 04 10:48 pm

Author: Soulforger

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 10:48 pm

Stan wrote:

Conservative MP Chuck Strahl is supporting Tony Clement for the party's leadership after announcing he hasn't been able to raise the money to join the race himself.

Didn't someone here say he was supporting Belinda like a week or so ago?

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

geo_jones_dog — 01/ 31/ 04 9:49 pm

Author: geo_jones_dog

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 9:49 pm

Davide wrote:

Connie said:

Quote:

If I was Tony, I'd be asking that DoRC to keep his endorsement to himself...it's like the kiss of death!

Ditto Connie. I'd count that endorsement as a negative.

Double that ditto

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Psycho — 01/ 31/ 04 9:49 pm

Author: Psycho

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 9:49 pm

Bruce said:

Quote:

however Strahl has been a good MP for his riding and on the issues is basically a Reformer. By supporting Clement however he drops a notch in my book,

We will not always agree on everything. If you think Strahl has been a good MP - support him. If you think he is a bum - support another candidate.

As of today, my Member of Parliament has not decided who he will support. If he endorses a different candidate than the one I will vote for, that will NOT affect my support for him in the upcoming election. Peter Goldring is a good MP - that is the only criteria in my books,...

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

Bruce-Grey-OS Reformer — 01/ 31/ 04 9:20 pm

Author: Bruce-Grey-OS Reformer

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 9:20 pm

I never liked when Strahl and the other DRC crew sat with the Tories however Strahl has been a good MP for his riding and on the issues is basically a Reformer. By supporting Clement however he drops a notch in my book, Clement is part of the oldline establishment and when push comes to shove Clement will do as the political elite says. Strahl should not have backed anybody given his dislike for Harper. Strahl may find himself in for a tough fight in his own riding come next election if he's perceived to be to close to the status-quo crew!

Re: Tony Picking Up Steam - Exciting New Development

t_link — 01/ 31/ 04 9:10 pm

Author: t_link

Posted: 01/ 31/ 04 9:10 pm

I wouldnt count it as anything.