Wednesday, November 04, 2009

H1N1: How concerned were the opposition Liberals?

They were so concerned that if Ignatieff had his way we would be into the last week or two of a 300 million dollar national election campaign as you read this; right in the middle of the "H1N1 hysteria". Now that is concern if I had ever heard it.

Updated(thanks CJ) Here is what Bob Rae had to say (approx 30 min mark) about campaigning in a possible H1N1 outbreak:"I'll kiss anybody who comes forward. I don't think that's going to be an issue for us in the campaign. I think it's going to be a very positive exercise, if we have one, ..."



Just something to think about while you watch fake Liberal outrage on a television screen near you.



Some more to think about:



Back at the end of August of this year, Liberal MP and medical doctor Carolyn Bennett said the following:

Asked directly whether Canada is prepared to donate any surplus vaccine, the Conservative government – which has purchased 50.4 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine for Canadians from GlaxoSmithKline – ruled nothing in or out….

[Francoise] Baylis [a bioethicist at Dalhousie University in Halifax] said Canada’s 50 million doses should be more than enough to handle the number of people who want and need the vaccine. Assuming two doses of vaccine are needed per person, there is enough for 75 per cent of Canada’s 35 million people.

The expectation at this point is that only about 60 per cent of the population will want to be vaccinated, she said, meaning a surplus is likely.

Liberals and New Democrats say they’re prepared to push the government to step up to the plate.

‘Canadians have long understood that on this tiny planet we’re only as safe as the whole planet,’ said Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, the party’s health critic.

Bennett said Canadian authorities should know by Christmas how much vaccine will be needed, and whether people should have one or two doses.” ht Sandy


Did you catch that? Canada should step up to the plate as we would have enough vaccine to give away and that the authorities should know by Christmas just how much will be needed by Canadians! Christmas! That sure is a far cry from what Bennett has been saying lately isn't it?




Oh and how can we forget that the reason that there is only a single source supplier for the vaccine in Canada is because of a 325 million dollar deal signed by Liberal PM Jean Chretien with GSK that runs until 2011. Coincidentally the same year as that deal was signed the Liberal Party of Canada received a donation of $56,000 from GSK. Another Liberal talking point bites the dust.



Playing politics with H1N1 is going to backfire on the Liberals even more-so than their other recent lame attempts at creating scandal. They are cementing the notion in the minds of the electorate that the Liberals are the party that contributes nothing other than faux scandal and faux outrage. And make no mistake that this will be remembered. Poor Peter Donolo. Only 1 week into his new job and he already has an epic failure on his record.


Updated with video of the CTV story:


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Butler-Jones explained that GSK has made more antigen than can be bottled and since enough has been produced for Canada's needs, the surplus went overseas.

Antigen! Antigen! Antigen! Not vaccine. There is a surplus of this booster additive, but the media headlines Vaccine is being sent overseas, no wonder Canadians are in a panic, between the Liberals and the media I just don't know!!

Thanks, sorry, just venting

Bec said...

Ironically, Bennett's comments were made on or around the same time that the Liberals were in Sudbury strategizing Iffy's, Dirty Harry moment.
One has to wonder as well, if Bennett intended for Canada to SELL the additional vaccine or just give it away? Regardless, Christmas is her acceptable timeline and she needs to wear these comments and offer an apology to the Health Minister and every Canadian!

So what is this, the 7th faux scandal this year? 3 to go.
We can at least assume that they use their fingers to count as they need their hands and fists to talk. (yell, scream, rant.....)

CanadianSense said...

Is this a concerted effort to undermine the leader of the party by camps loyal to Bob Rae?

or

Is it an example of gross incompetence and poor strategizing.

The opposition's failure to do adequate research of the details when these silly stories go against them?

Calgary Junkie said...

Check out this CPAC video from Sept. 3rd, of Bob Rae in a scrum, asked about the problems of campaigning during the middle of swine flu season:

"I'll kiss anybody who comes forward. I don't think that's going to be an issue for us in the campaign. I think it's going to be a very positive exercise, if we have one, blah blah ..."

fast forward the video to the 30 minute mark.

Libs go from feigning total nonchalance (as Bob chuckles during his answer) to feigning total outrage, all depending on the surrounding circumstances.

Back then, with the threat of an election, H1N1 was no big deal. Now, it's like the sky is falling.

Ardvark said...

Thanks CJ. There are many more where that came from, including some juicy quotes from Ignatieff.

If the polls would have been more favourable to the Libs and NDP back in early October we would have been going to the polls in mid November.

Bec said...

Rae's, poo-pooing the 'Swine flu' and implying 'business as usual during an election is plain and simple, disgusting.
Gawd that man loves to yap, huh? I bet he is a barrel of fun at a cocktail party.

wilson said...

CS, I just don't get why Rae would throw on the Bodybag Bob suit,
become of the Ratty Pack with Bennett and Fry,
it seems out of charactor.

But he did it before Donolo came on board,
did he not think it out?

CanadianSense said...

I don't have concrete proof, MI is not interested in fighting over many issues. Dion stood up and voted against more CPC policies.

I think we are witnessing jockeying going on behind the scenes for the next leadership.

Peter can not "fix" those leaks unless MI is willing to draw blood on those nervous nellies and Liberal leaks.

According to the reporters, Bob Rae's supporters have been complaining and leaking information for months. (Fife, Martin, Perschilli etc)

Lately some MI suppporters have begun to talk to the press about the internal problems.

In watching QP Bob Rae is getting a louder applause and Liberal MP's are standing up when he speaks.

It looks like an informal passing of the torch. Just a casual observation of the body language of the Liberal MP's.

Ardvark said...

"Peter can not "fix" those leaks unless MI is willing to draw blood on those nervous nellies and Liberal leaks."

But that would require making a decision and following through.Iggy is not good at making decisions and even worse at following through on anything.

Case in point: Who would have thought that the "consequences" he spoke about with Coderre speaking out to the press would be against some members of the Rosedale gang and not Coderre.

CanadianSense said...

I would not invite Dick Cheney or MI on a hunting trip

Lack of effective targeting skills.

maryT said...

watching the vote re the gun control, Duncan, ndp, AB votes against motion,
iffy votes against,
yeas 154
nays 134
Motion to repeal gun law, carried.

CanadianSense said...

It will be held up in Senate.

Ardvark said...

Results of C 391 vote up in new post.