Conservatives set to attack the GG

Conservatives set to attack the GG

It didn't take long but the Harperites have their folks ready to attack the Governor General should she refuse to call an election or let Harper shut the house down. David Frum, the decider of evil, has decided that Madame Jean is a partisan appointment.

"If there's any one person in Canada entitled to be outraged by the choice of Michaelle Jean as the new governor-general--and there are many--it is surely Adrienne Clarkson.

Like Clarkson or dislike her, there's no disputing that she was a large figure in Canadian life for more than three decades when Jean Chretien named her. That she was also the first non-white and first immigrant governor-general was a wonderful extra.

But the selection of Michaelle Jean casts a brutal retrospective light on Clarkson's elevation. Whoever picked the new G-G gave one order: "Find me a non-white francophone woman!"--and so you have to wonder whether they did not similarly regard the accomplished Clarkson as nothing more than a non-white anglophone woman. The only pleasure we can take in the Michaelle Jean selection is to watch Canada's exquisitely correct reporters tripping over themselves to avoid reporting the most super-abundantly obvious truth." - Once a Prestigious Post, Now a Refuge for Partisans - David Frum

Its news to me that the Governor General (GG) was above partisan politics when they were appointed to the job. Its seems to me that every GG to date has been appointed by a Prime Minister and he (Kim Campbell never got to appoint a GG) has usually picked someone that was at the very least familiar to him, (that's diplomatic speak for, sharing the same values or party membership).

I didn't hear Mr. Harper complain when Madame Jean was appointed. Now of course with his Government in peril, he is leaving no rock unturned in an effort to discredit the coalition.Being relegated to the opposition benches will be a huge insult to Harper's ego.

Most GG's grow in the job, they have served Liberal and Conservative Prime Ministers. It serves no one in this situation to be attacking the credibility of the GG whom must act according to precedent. She has some good guidelines to follow. Whatever her decision, it will be well 'canvassed' among constitutional experts prior to announcing it.

I would hope the GG asks Mr. Dion to attempt to govern. Most Canadians do not want an election so I believe the GG will not go that route. She is left with two options, asking Mr. Dion to form the Government or two, allowing Mr. Harper, should he request it, to close the house down until the new year. This may be the least controversial decision. The Coalition can still defeat the Government budget or use a non confidence motion and the GG is back where she is today. Either allow an election or ask Mr. Dion to form a Government.

The best decision would be to give the coalition the next few weeks to get to work. The time would be very valuable and vital to the success of the coalition.

Neo cons will soon be singing the tune written by the Decider of all Evil.

CBC : Gov. Gen. rushes home to deal with political turmoil