Comments on: The Media on poorly bilingual leaders

By: tolimbo

tolimbo — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:46:26 +0000

Nice info , well done and nice write up

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By: Anne in swON

Anne in swON — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:03:18 +0000

Dion would have had to undergo oral exams to defend his thesis /dissertation in order to get both a master's degree and a doctorate. He would have been very familiar with the material on which the questions were based because he would have written it himself. He would would not have been asked the question several times (nor would the question have been explained) and would not have had several shots at the answer. Further questions would likely have arisen based on his answer. The point is that the man is obviously intelligent and understands how to answer difficult questions when he is familiar with the subject. He indicated that he heard the question asked by Mr. Murphy because he repeated it. It is evident he was not familiar with the material on which the question was based and was unable to answer. End of story.

By: anon

anon — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:11:07 +0000

One of my favourites from the spin dept... this one from Jacques Bourbeau of Global National just a few minutes ago:

"When they got word of this, the Tories rushed to judgment."

He concluded by saying, "So what has this served to accomplish? To put out a big distraction in the closing days of the campaign."

By: Peter C

Peter C — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:16:22 +0000

Not understanding English is an issue because it is a world language (the one most commonly used by elected national leaders anyway) and the one in Canada that anyone can understand from coast to coast. Past leaders not understanding French is nowhere near as big of a problem as a possible future one having trouble with English. This is an issue regardless of whether or not Mr. Dion has a plan for the country and economy.

By: dbo789

dbo789 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:06:37 +0000

There's a difference between 'dumb' and not having a plan. Dion has a PhD and was a university professor for a number of years. Almost the same story with Jack Layton. Neither of them are 'dumb' people, they are just flawed in their views and plans (or lack of) for the nation.

You need to be able to separate between people and their ideas. While I fully and totally disagree with nearly everything political that comes out of either Dion or Layton's mouth, I would have no problem having a coffee and conversation with either. (As long as we stayed away from politics! )

As US supreme court justice Antonin Scalia once said, “some really good people have some really bad ideas.” Dropping to name calling, no matter if you are aiming at the right OR the left side of the spectrum is immature. Learn to argue against an idea, not the person presenting it.

By: wilson

wilson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:21:14 +0000

This poll states the opposite of what Duceppe is saying about a double standard.

'The views of Canadians on the significance of having a leader who can speak their language varied greatly across the two samples. While 73% of Francophone respondents believe it is very important for a Prime Minister of Canada to speak their native tongue fluently, the number drops to 57% for Anglophone respondents.

“Mr. Dion and his handlers are faced with a challenge in terms of getting their message across to English Canada,” says Angus Reid, CEO of Angus Reid Strategies. “Still, they can take some comfort from the finding that Anglophone Canadians place less of an emphasis on linguistic ability as do Francophones.”

http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/index.cfm?fu...

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:17:28 +0000

Right, not having a plan just a few days before the election is pretty dumb!

By: DBeaulne

DBeaulne — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:08:46 +0000

Interesting yes, but here's a link for Oct 10th / 08

http://www.ekoselection.com/index.php/2008/10/s...

By: daryl

daryl — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:02:54 +0000

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/202105
…….Stronach's brief three years as an MP have been a political roller-coaster rideind the scenes to bring about the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties, Stronach ran in 2004 for the leadership of the new Conservative party, undeterred by her political inexperience and her inability to speak French…….

……….After Martin's government was defeated in 2006, Stronach flirted briefly with seeking the Liberal leadership. She pulled together a campaign team but ultimately bowed out of the race, claiming that she wanted to devote herself to reforming the leadership selection process instead. However, insiders acknowledged that Stronach realized she simply couldn't win, hamstrung by her weak grasp of French, her relative inexperience and her newcomer status to the party…………..

I recall the media thrashed her for asking for question in english.

By: Dean

Dean — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:59:54 +0000

It will be interesting to see the fallout on whether this has an effect on the average voter. Whether you are into seat projections or not this is interesting.

http://www.ekoselection.com/index.php/2008/09/e...