Comments on The Burd Report: Yesterday Andrew McFadyen came to town, and Kim Ru...

I agree with the "smooth operator" asses...

2009-08-13T09:38:16.246-04:00

I agree with the "smooth operator" assessment that blends a little into the icky territory.

It really confuses me though because he's supposed to be so professional and slick, but he has a hideously tacky website. It just doesn't seem to fit.

Then again, I had a friend that was a "web designer" and I let him do my first website because, well, he was my friend. It turned out almost as bad as Andrew's. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it was somehow an act of kindness to let an amateur design the website.

Checked out McFadyen's web site last night and...

2009-08-12T16:21:13.113-04:00

Checked out McFadyen's web site last night and it was downright scary.

He's just way too smooth. Looking alot like that android Data on Star Trek Next Generation, he just doesn't seem quite real.

Can't help but think that all his cute little blog posts and twitter entries are actually written by a committee and then reviewed by a focus group before being posted.

Nope, way too smooth for this riding. Our locals will have a hard time trusting this guy.

Best to stay under the radar on this one, methinks.

Frank G wrote: "Once the plug goes on the Co...

2009-08-11T11:15:53.567-04:00

Frank G wrote: "Once the plug goes on the Conservative government we'll see if the man is the wimp you describe."

Except for the wimp, who has blocked the drain for 8 months, the Conservative government would have been gone long ago. The wimp IS the plug. With luck, he will drain away with the government.

I am waiting to see and hear ALL THREE of the cand...

2009-08-10T23:28:59.860-04:00

I am waiting to see and hear ALL THREE of the candidates before making up my mind. I feel the strongest (most experienced) will soon be visiting Cobourg soon.

I am on Andrew's team and I am 43. About half ...

2009-08-10T23:17:16.085-04:00

I am on Andrew's team and I am 43. About half of the team is younger than me, the other half is older. It's a good mix, we work well together, all respecting and learning from each other.
My three teenage children and many of their friends are avid Andrew supporters. Until they met Andrew they had no interest in politics. A wine and cheese event is not intended for the youth members of the party. Team McFadyen hosted a beach vollyball day late last month. It was well attended by teens and college aged kids. My kids feel like they are respected and valued by the McFadyen team.

Speaking of Harper, I've notice something inte...

2009-08-09T07:51:35.955-04:00

Speaking of Harper, I've notice something interesting lately that comes mostly from Globe And Mail editorials and columns. It wasn't long ago that every time Stephen Harper was mentioned, usually regarding his control freak mentality, the criticism was always tempered with something like "...how can a man as intelligent as Stephen Harper let his emotions rule his policy?" Or somesuch. Whatever -but the word "intelligent" was always inserted.

That isn't the case anymore. You just don't see examples of his formerly much-vaunted intellect being tossed around. Did he suddenly lose thirty or forty IQ points? Or is it a case of The Emperor's New Clothes?

Personally, I never saw the prime minister as a particularly bright guy. Certainly I wouldn't want to be stuck next to him on a flight to Australia or even in the 8-items-or-less at the No Frills. I happen to think he is what he's always been -a geek. And a policy wonk to boot.

Has anyone else noticed the missing "intelligent" quotient?

DJC

Well, William , we won't have to wait long. On...

2009-08-08T19:48:36.336-04:00

Well, William , we won't have to wait long. Once the plug goes on the Conservative government we'll see if the man is the wimp you describe. We already know the alternatives.

Well, Frank, if you want someone ready, willing, a...

2009-08-08T16:01:16.063-04:00

Well, Frank, if you want someone ready, willing, and able "to confront Rick Norloch and the Conservatives on some pretty basic issues," you won't be looking at Liberals. They are all following their wimp of a leader who, last January, could have had "Rt. Hon." before his name, but didn't have the stomach for it.

perhaps my bunker mentality is showing but if I wa...

2009-08-07T18:38:04.107-04:00

perhaps my bunker mentality is showing but if I was to reveal a low number many could say, I told you nobody reads that stuff. On the the hand too high a number would attract a call for verification, let's leave it and let the world guess.

"Without releasing actual numbers, they would...

2009-08-07T16:50:11.405-04:00

"Without releasing actual numbers, they would scare the opposition" - Who could possibly be considered as an "opposition" to your blog , Ben? - what is the basis for the opposition to which you refer? This sounds interesting.

Benjamin - just to make a small correction, the te...

2009-08-07T16:02:05.502-04:00

Benjamin - just to make a small correction, the term "Rt Hon" is reserved for very specific people, among whom are Prime Ministers, Members of the Privy Council, the Chief Justice of Canada and the Governor General of Canada. Christine Stewart is, nor has ever been, any of these so she is not entitled to that Title. Please correct me if I'm in error.

The Libs could put up just about anyone for electi...

2009-08-07T10:45:59.758-04:00

The Libs could put up just about anyone for election and I would vote for them over Norlock.

But then, come to think of it, that's how we got Rinaldi, and he has not exactly impressed with his performance. At least with Galt we knew what he stood for, unlike Lil Lou and his gang of smarmy opportunists.

I was at the meeting yesterday as well . I can'...

2009-08-07T09:43:40.195-04:00

I was at the meeting yesterday as well . I can't speak for others, who may already know the other canidates, but I need to meet all the candidates, in person, before choosing whom to support. An important thing to be looking for is the candidate best suited to confront Rick Norloch and the Conservatives on some pretty basic issues. The real test and who's got the stomach for it.
Yesterday, Andrew drew the right comparison between the present government and the Mike Harris years. That's a start.

perhaps anonymous they didn't come to have min...

2009-08-07T08:51:11.479-04:00

perhaps anonymous they didn't come to have minds changed but their choice confirmed, quite a difference!
ben

It was a big turnout at the Weston Hotel. Many Lib...

2009-08-07T08:39:06.800-04:00

It was a big turnout at the Weston Hotel. Many Liberals came out to see if they would support Andrew McFadyen as their candidate. The sign-up table was busy and in the discussion circles after his speech the consensus was that Andrew had gained their support.

Elizabeth, but that's the point one should wai...

2009-08-07T08:32:43.513-04:00

Elizabeth, but that's the point one should wait until one has met all candidates before making up one's mind, n'est pas
ben

I beg to differ... I was one of the Liberals in t...

2009-08-07T08:27:29.968-04:00

I beg to differ... I was one of the Liberals in the crowd at Andrew's event yesterday, and from speaking with others, a lot of them made up their mind to support Andrew after such a great event.

I'm not a part of the 'over 60' crowd you refer to, but I don't really see the problem - a Liberal is a Liberal and a vote of support is a vote of support, regardless of age.