A twenty-four percent Presidential approval rating. I have no idea how the man can show his face in public, let alone, as Keith Olbermann and company point out, spew such utter contradictions.
Here at home, one wonders what the Liberal Party is going to do about those points in the Throne Speech with which their official policies disagree? The Liberals have held the position for some time that Canada’s role in combat missions in Afghanistan end in 2009. Of course, during the Throne Speech, Mr. Harper’s government suggested, rather ambiguously, that our involvement be extended to 2011. That said, how can the Liberals, in good conscience, not vote against the speech? While I agree that another federal election will seem a pain in the ass to many Canadians, the fact remains that the Liberal policy regarding our involvement in Afghanistan has been to see combat operations end in 2009. No matter the ineffectuality of their current leadership, to alter their position now because they find themselves politically weak would, in my opinion, do far more damage to their credibility, and that is certainly something that the Conservatives would exploit in the future. One can only hope that if the Liberals do hold to their convictions, then Mr. Dion will be summarily replaced and a new Liberal leader will emerge. As to whether that will alter anything with regards to a federal election, it’s unlikely. But the point remains, if convictions are to be so easily abandoned for the sake of future political promise, then the Liberal party will have done themselves irreparable damage nonetheless.