Question~

[Clintonista2]

It's my understanding that Harper is going to load up the budget with so many goodies that the coalition will not possibly vote it down. However, doesn't he have to give a new throne speech once parliament resumes? Isn't that a confidence vote?

[HeresyLives]

1. Good catch!

Yes, he does, and yes it is.

It would be a nice take-out of both Harper, and the GG who stuck us with this wait.

[Clintonista2]

2. I just hope the coalition can survive that long

I wish some of the idiots in the liberal caucus would stop eating eachother. If I were the coalition I would get as many party bigwigs as I could out there campaigning as if this were an election. Chretien, Broadbent, maybe even Shiela Copps.

[HeresyLives]

3. There are days when I could

cheerfully knock all their heads together.

It's like trying to herd cats to keep these people focussed, even when it's in their own best interest.

[rationalcalgarian]

4. I try to tell my conservative friends...

that this is Harper's best opportunity. (I live in Calgary, making me something of a political pariah)
He could, if he tried, turn into a statesman. Meet with the coalition members and ask them, "OK, what have you got? What are your ideas for the economy?" He could listen. He could reject the ideas he disagrees with or accept the ideas that make sense. He could show that his main concern is the economic health of the country.
He could.
But I think his handlers in Washington won't let him. Instead, it's going to be all about ideology over practicality, crushing the opposition instead of governing the country. More neocon crap.

On the bright side, Justin Trudeau won his riding in Montreal. :) It will take a while; the man needs some seasoning. But it's a start.