Elizabeth May writes a statement on the Green Party website hoping to put the “Canadians are stupid” issue to rest.
Unfortunately, in her statement she writes,
“I reviewed all this on TVO with Steve Paikan [sic] more recently and he confirmed that no one in the room thought I had said Canadians are stupid.”
For the record, I would like to clarify that at no point during his September 12th interview with Elizabeth May did Steve Paikin express such a personal opinion.
We feel this use of Mr. Paikin’s name – and by extension, that of TVO’s – is inappropriate. We ask that the above mentioned blog posting be corrected, along with any other Green Party of Canada postings or communications of a similar nature.
Here’s my post and YouTube video that started this controversy.
Here’s a good summary of May’s gaffe and explanation to TVO and CTV:
Stephen Taylor is a scientist, political analyst and a blogger. Taylor writes here regularly and is the founder of bloggingtories.ca. Taylor has contributed to Macleans, CTV, talk radio and has been a featured speaker on new media at numerous events including the Western Standard Cruise and the Forum for Public Policy. In December 2008, Taylor organized Rally for Canada, a series of rallies held coast-to-coast to protest the proposed coalition government.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Not only is Elizabeth May not ready for prime time, Elizabeth May cannot be trusted.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
If my memory serves me correctly she said “Politicians think the Canadian People are stupid and I fundamentaly agree with that assessment”. Whether she is agreeing that Canadian People are stupid or that Politicians think they are stupid is not clear, though I think the former interperatation is more likely.
What I think is hilarious is her response to Michael Harris when he asked if she was cosying up too closely to the Liberals and she replied ” We Liberals are running candidates in 307 ridings against the Greens”.
That was priceless. Does this woman ever engage her brain before speaking.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
May can sure spin. The debates for this election are going to be brutal.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
What a waste of time and energy, she has allowed herself to be defined by this statement, I heard her say “CANADIANS ARE STUPID” admit it , apologize, and move on to the next question, instead she is still rolling in it, and now trying to drag others(Steve Paikins) into her excuses and fabrications, The whole thing shows a lack of clear thinking, from initially incoherent letters threatening litigation, to just plain “talking too fast” I think her 15 minutes are soo up. I don't want to see her in charge of anything. If this is the best the Green Party can do they are toast. We now have what 3 excuses and counting.
Cheers Bubba
September 16th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Elizabeth May is just digging herself deeper and deeper into a hole of her own making. Or, maybe it's her motor mouth drilling the hole!
She is demonstrating the reasons why I never thought that she should be a participant in the debates. She has not been elected to office, she represents no one but her own party's agenda, and she seems incapable of speaking coherently. Not only that, she puts words into other people's mouths. She is unreliable.
Watch for the debates to become chaotic and confusing unless the moderator, Steve Paikin, holds a really tight rein on Ms. May's motor-mouth, moonbat, madness!
September 16th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
You people are ridiculous. It's obvious she said she didn't agree with the idea that Canadians were stupid.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Good grief has this woman no shame? Everyone must be tone deaf according to her ever changing spin on the truth. Is there no end to the depths she will plumb? May has jumped the shark.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
At a $1.40 a litre, you would think that May would stop adding fuel to the fire on this? lol
September 16th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Elizabeth May may talk too fast…. But obviously she is hoping that Canadians are stupid to believe her constantly changing explanations.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
This woman is going to crash and burn in the debates. She has a big mouth and no respect for anybody else's opinion. She and Jack Layton should go into the used car business. They both sound like used car salespeople.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Now I'm really confused , is he supporting Harper because he legally won an Election by these stupid canada who are no smart?
Help me folks , if the majoity of canada don't vote for the Green party does this make them samert or really stupid.?
She's a typical American failure like our Mayor Miller who couldn't run an American City if he tried , oh….and their both Lawyers to boot.
September 17th, 2008 at 4:40 am
I listened countless times. This is what I hear:
“I think Canadians are stupid… and cannot… and I fundamentally agree with that assesment”.
Now she is claiming she said “THEY think…. and I DISagree”???
No… that is now what I hear.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:01 am
okay, I can't stand May, but this is getting ridiculous. Just like the politicians, Tvo is creating/using/denying etc in order to get exposure. It worked okay, so enough already. (Negative exposure is still exposure… and this smart voter won't be back to anything Tvo.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Welcome to the Big Leagues, Lizzie. Play Ball !
http://tinyurl.com/5utb9t
September 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
TVO's Mike Miner has blogged about May's response:
http://www.tvo.org/cfmx/tvoorg/theagenda/index….
Watch the full May interview on The Agenda with Steve Paikin from last week:
http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?video...
I work at the Agenda and as always we welcome your comments.
September 17th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Maybe it is time to give this a break? Why doesn't someone ask her if her one and only MP is under investigation AGAIN for election spending irregularities?
September 17th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Will Dion be sick the day of the debate and send Bob Rae in his place? Would the liberals be allowed to do that? Not that Harper couldn't wup Rae. Dion endorsing Rae as the new leader of the liberals the other day, has me wondering. Perhaps Dion has caught on, and would be too embarrassed as Lizzie answered all questions directed towards him. At least Rae would have the gonads to tell Lizzie to hush-up.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Elizabeth May is the same sort of person as Garth Turner. She is out for herself, will never admit culpability without a qualifier, is condescending, loud, obnoxious, not wholly truthful…need I continue?
September 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Elizabeth May is the same sort of person as Garth Turner. She is out for herself, will never admit culpability without a qualifier, is condescending, loud, obnoxious, not wholly truthful…need I continue?