2008 Canadian election – Global News

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09-10-2008

Today's Buzz: 'It's as easy as ABC'

Shannon Proudfoot
Canwest News Service

Premier Danny Williams trotted out his "Anything but Conservative" mantra to a business audience in a nationally televised speech Wednesday. (Rhonda Hayward/The Telegram)

The scene: Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams trotted out his "Anything but Conservative" mantra to a business audience in a nationally televised speech Wednesday from St. John's, N.L.

While a costumed puffin strutted across the room carrying an `ABC' sign, Williams called Stephen Harper a "fraud" and urged voters: "If you believe this country deserves better, then you know what to do - it's as easy as ABC."

"A majority government for Stephen Harper would be one of the most negative political events in Canadian history."

The back story: Newfoundland and Labrador premiers have a history of testy relations with the federal government. Williams raised hackles across the country in 2004 when he ordered all Canadian flags removed from provincial buildings during a dispute with Paul Martin's government over oil revenues.

The fallout: The federal Conservative camp didn't respond because "we're not running against Danny Williams," says party spokesman Ryan Sparrow.

At home, Williams's pugnacious defence of his small province has made him one of the most popular premiers in the country, according to Stephen Tomblin, a political science professor at Memorial University in St. John's.

"This is a history of conflict which has been ongoing and he has not been shy in terms of expressing his dislike not only for the ideas and ideology of the federal government, but he's made it very clear he doesn't trust the prime minister himself. I would have been surprised if there wasn't an ABC."

Posted by: aterry

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Blair Henderson Surrey B.C. says:

this is the first time in my life i will Vote for N.D.P.
they seem to be the only one with a down to earth program for the working class public.
Penny Priddy gets my vote this time around,as when i had problems with the medical plan in B.C. she was the only MLA that took the time to look into the problem.
I have regreted voting for the liberals here n B.C. since G.Campbell was elected

Don says:

I'm with you on this one. Although I am for the Liberals, I will switch my vote to the NDP where they generally win in my riding here in BC. That's one less Conservative member in Parliament.

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