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Politics : Canadian Political Free-for-All -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (5262)	5/19/2005 1:54:44 PM
From: Ichy Smith	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 37549

Why is the character of someone who determines a course of action in reaction to a disagreement with their leader, so much more in question than a leader who would diminish the hopes and aspirations of one of his followers? Did Stephen Harper not know what could happen? Did he go into a confrontation with one of his subordinates without considering all of her options? If he could tell his wife (according to him) that Belinda might be leaving, why didn't he keep his mouth shut till after the important vote? Is there a problem Conservatives should be aware of or prepared for that moderate opinions will not be tolerated? I have to say that because I am somewhat motivated, and don't tolerate poor leadership, that had I heard the things that Harper admits to saying to Stronach, I would at minimum be an independent. I would have used an expletive not suitable for use here and walked out on Friday morning. Belinda took the time to find out her options and chose the best one for herself and her constituents.... Her options were to be a back bencher with no future in the party, who is despised by her leader, or to be an independent MP with no power to help her constituents, or be a cabinet minister in the present government...... I think more blame should accrue to her had she stayed with the Conservatives. And while I don't like her choice, the person who forced her to make it is not without blame. And I haven't seen Stephen Harper step up and admit that perhaps he was a little hard on Belinda, and perhaps their discussion got out of hand..... Frankly I find it hard to believe that Stephen Harper was stupid enough to say that she had no hope of being an important MP in the Conservatives. The sheer amount of doors she can open and the power she can wield simply as Frank's Girl should have made him tread quite carefully with her. She was an extremely valuable asset. Even if she was as dumb as a stump, she already has more personal power and influence that Harper has or will have, even if he becomes Prime Minister. Imagine if Harper is elected, how many doors could have been opened to him, simply because of the number of important people that will take a call from Belinda Stronach. A leader of a Minority Conservative Parliament will need all the help he can get to bad this leader is so inept.