What is up his sleeve?

I've proudly stood beside Michael Ignatieff since he became leader and supported his decisions. I always felt that, while I may not have agreed or understood all of them, they were all, clearly, for the greater good.

Now, I can feel myself starting to doubt him, which is worrisome. I wonder if he really is aiming for a resolution that will benefit his, and my party.

Now, don't get me wrong; I'm not buying into the media perspective that Michael ought to pack his bags and get ready to leave. I'm, instead, basing my perspective on the fact that he could have approached this whole kerfuffle in a different way and made himself look strong as a result. Instead, he puffed himself up and then backed off.

I really hope he has a plan for the fall, because I don't know where else to put my vote.

Oh shut up!

So, after weeks of sniffing around Ignatieff and going through his trash, desperate to find something to attack him on, the Opposition finally caught him saying that he'd consider raising taxes in order to break us out of deficit.

Harper and the blue crew practically kills themselves, trying to blurt out as many incredulous-sounding phrases, condemning this horrific turn of events. Even Jack Layton, even more desperate for an edge to save his drowning party, says that tax hikes are the "wrong approach" to eliminating deficits.

So, umm...can anybody tell me what the problem here is?

First off, Harper is the last person who should be criticizing Ignatieff for trying to come up with ideas, considering his idiotic financial planning (read: GST cut) helped to get us into this mess to begin with. Secondly, Jack Layton can try and paint a pretty picture all he wants, because Canadians know nobody will ever actually elect his party to Government.

I think Michael said it best when he said:

No honest politician, faced with an $80-billion deficit, will take anything
off the table because Canadians do not want, they're allergic to, long-term
structural deficits

My feelings on Iggy

I've been searching my brain for something to write about for my first post. I read a bunch of other first posts on various blogs, especially political blogs, and came to the conclusion that my first post would be about the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, and the next Prime Minister - which, given the events of late seems much more based in reality instead of simply hope - Michael Ignatieff.

I'm not as worldly as I would like, plus I guess I'm somewhat young, as I had never heard of Michael prior to him running in the 2006 general election. After that, especially with all the buzz surrounding the "prodigal son" returning, I did my homework. During the leadership race following the Liberal loss, I can honestly say that I wasn't impressed and even a bit frightened by Ignatieff and his views. Then there was this and the other assorted missteps by him, and my confidence was firmly placed behind Bob Rae.

Fast-forward a few years later, and you can imagine my scepticism when Michael Ignatieff steamrollered over my fellow Atlantic Canadian, Dominic LeBlanc, and my pick once again at that time, Bob Rae, on his way to be crowned in Vancouver this November. Still, I vowed to be a good little Liberal soldier and give the guy a chance.

Well, I'm pleased to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Stephane Dion is a good man, with a lot of great ideas. But even the most ardent Liberal could see that the party was going nowhere fast with him. Michael Ignatieff, on the other hand, consolidated his support, presented himself as the canny intellectual that he is and left Harper looking amateurish by comparison. The polls show growth for the Grits and our fundraising numbers are looking better each day. It's quite a turnaround for me, really, considering that I had a discussion not two years ago with other Liberal colleagues about the danger that Ignatieff would do to our country.

Overall, the man is an amazing politician, considering his lack of experience, and will make a great Prime Minister.

And that's for ding dang!