PM dismisses report Emerson is unhappy

[tuvor]

MONTREAL, OTTAWA -- A new political headache has hit International Trade Minister David Emerson just as controversy over his defection to the Conservatives had nearly faded away.

("Faded away"? WTF?)

One of his former Liberal aides, who now works for Opposition Leader Bill Graham, was quoted in print yesterday as saying his old boss is unhappy with the level of partisanship and control Prime Minister Stephen Harper is exercising. The aide also states the minister says he would have quit politics by now, but his wife would not allow it.

However, Mr. Emerson's office said the minister never made the comments. Mr. Harper also dismissed the report, telling journalists to consider the partisan source.

"I think you guys in the press frankly have to sometimes exercise a little more discretion in stories. Minister Emerson said no such thing. This was said by the Liberal Party," Mr. Harper said after a speech to the Montreal Board of Trade.

(SNIP)

Asked as the press conference was ending whether he had discussed the matter with Mr. Emerson, the Prime Minister waved his hand dismissively and left the room.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060421.EMERSON21/TPStory/National

[glarius]

1. Harper is at this moment doing ANOTHER one of his Bush-type speeches.

By that I mean, he is in safe confines (Empire Club of Canada) making a speech and just as Bush does, using the occasion to again point out the so-called sins and crimes of the Liberal party. This man is beyond despicable. God, I pray Canadians will be able to see through his act before we vote again....

[CHIMO]

2. Calling PM 'hard-ass' a compliment: Emerson

VANCOUVER — Conservative Trade Minister David Emerson says he did call Prime Minister Stephen Harper a hard-ass, but he meant it as a compliment.

“Stephen Harper’s a hard-ass because he has his views, he has his principles, he has his visions and he’s prepared to stand by it and not be bowed and intimidated by people,” Emerson said.

“And in that sense, yeah, he’s a hard ass,” the embattled Emerson told reporters at a meeting of the Vancouver Board of Trade.

“I probably did say he was a hard-ass. It was meant as a compliment, not a criticism. If I call you a hard-ass I think you’re a pretty solid guy and you’ve got grit. If I call you a soft-ass or a candy-ass then I’m criticizing you,” Emerson said.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=1145657411133&col=968705899037&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News

Guess that he forget to clear the definition of "hard ass" with the boss. If it's too hot in the kitchen...

Could think of some other hard "....." terms!

[tuvor]

3. Reminds me of Phil Hartman as the Remington shaver president on SNL.

"When I called her a bitch, I meant it in a good way!"