leadership – Page 41 – mackaycartoons

Thursday January 8, 2004

January 8, 2004 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 8, 2004

So much for Clementmania

Auto parts magnate Frank Stronach thinks it would be a great idea if his daughter Belinda ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

“I said: ‘Look Belinda, you’re a privileged lady. I think it’s the greatest honour if you could serve your country,’.” Mr. Stronach, who founded the auto parts company that his daughter now heads, said yesterday.

If she throws her hat into the ring, as she is expected to do later this week or perhaps early next week, Belinda Stronach will be following in the political and business footsteps of her father, who was a Liberal candidate in a Toronto-area riding in the 1988 federal election.

But she’s different, Mr. Stronach said in a telephone interview yesterday from Baltimore.

“I maybe was a bit more aggressive. I shot a little more out of the hip. She is very thoughtful.”

Supporters of former Ontario health minister Tony Clement held conference calls to discuss his candidacy for leadership of the party. (Source: Globe & Mail)

December 10, 2003

December 10, 2003 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – December 10, 2003

Tory stalwart Joe Clark partyless

The new Conservative Party of Canada lost three MPs yesterday, hours after a proud announcement that it had officially registered for business and begun operations.

Former Tory leader Joe Clark and fellow MPs Andre Bachand of Quebec and John Herron of New Brunswick said they couldn’t bring themselves to participate in the new organization, formed through a merger with the Canadian Alliance.

“This is not my party,” Clark said as he arrived for what he called his last Tory caucus meeting. “This is something entirely new. I will not be part of this new party.”

Herron, like Clark, said he had notified Speaker Peter Milliken that he would serve out his current term but would keep calling himself a Progressive Conservative — the old party name that was ditched in the merger.

“I sought a mandate to be elected as a Progressive Conservative,” Herron said. “I plan on fulfilling my mandate.”

In effect, Clark and Herron will be treated as independents under Commons rules, with reduced opportunity to ask questions, participate in debates and serve on committees.

Bachand, who has been courted by the federal Liberals, said he hasn’t decided whether to remain in politics but, if he does, it won’t be under the banner of the new Conservative party. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Wednesday December 10, 2003

December 10, 2003 by Graeme MacKay

December 10, 2003

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday December 10, 2003

Tory stalwart Joe Clark partyless

The new Conservative Party of Canada lost three MPs yesterday, hours after a proud announcement that it had officially registered for business and begun operations.

Former Tory leader Joe Clark and fellow MPs Andre Bachand of Quebec and John Herron of New Brunswick said they couldn’t bring themselves to participate in the new organization, formed through a merger with the Canadian Alliance.

“This is not my party,” Clark said as he arrived for what he called his last Tory caucus meeting. “This is something entirely new. I will not be part of this new party.”

Herron, like Clark, said he had notified Speaker Peter Milliken that he would serve out his current term but would keep calling himself a Progressive Conservative — the old party name that was ditched in the merger.

“I sought a mandate to be elected as a Progressive Conservative,” Herron said. “I plan on fulfilling my mandate.”

In effect, Clark and Herron will be treated as independents under Commons rules, with reduced opportunity to ask questions, participate in debates and serve on committees.

Bachand, who has been courted by the federal Liberals, said he hasn’t decided whether to remain in politics but, if he does, it won’t be under the banner of the new Conservative party. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Tuesday October 23, 2001

October 23, 2001 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 23, 2001

Liberal Leadership Hopeful

As several Conservative cabinet ministers prepare to square off in the coming race to succeed Ontario Premier Mike Harris, another more subtle positioning is also under way.

Lyn McLeod, Bob Rae, Mike Harris. Ancaster News, 1995 – 1996. Graeme MacKay went by the pseudonym “Ham”.

Opposition Liberals are also fine-tuning their strategy, adapting it to a political landscape that’s now suddenly devoid of the familiar opponent they once called “Chainsaw Mike.”

There’s no guarantee that the substantial lead Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals currently enjoy in the polls will be there come election time, which is likely still two years away, experts say.

A cautious, moderate approach in the coming months would serve the Liberals well, agreed Henry Jacek, a professor of political science at McMaster University in Hamilton.

“People do not like confrontation now — they want a softer, kinder, gentler government that will pull people together,” Jacek said. That desire has only grown since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, he added.

The new attitude of voters could give McGuinty, long seen as less slick and savvy than his Conservative counterparts, a distinct advantage, Jacek said.

“Suddenly, the so-called liabilities of McGuinty — his soft questions — now are much more what the Ontario public wants. They want a soothing leader.” (Hamilton Spectator)

Wednesday August 11, 1999

August 11, 1999 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 11, 1999

Yeltsin Protecting Entourage in Shuffle Russia

Political analysts see Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s nomination of Russia’s fifth premier in 17 months as an act of desperation aimed at protecting the interests of his entourage and not of the country.

The choice of security boss Vladimir Putin, with roots in the Soviet-era KGB, also boosts the threat of “unconstitutional” measures like declaring a state of emergency that might derail a general election scheduled Dec. 19, they said.

Earlier yesterday, Yeltsin fired Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin, just three months after appointing him to the post, and named Putin acting premier. He also declared Putin his preferred candidate in next summer’s presidential election.

The move coincides with rising political tension triggered by the formation of a powerful new bloc uniting popular Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and regional leaders and by fresh conflict in the unruly North Caucasus — a development that could provide the grounds for declaring a state of emergency in Russia.

“Putin is tougher than Stepashin and has the support of the security organs, ” said last week’s edition of the Moskovskiye Novosti newspaper, which accurately predicted Putin’s appointment.

Other “unconstitutional” scenarios rehearsed in Russia’s mass media include bann ing the main opposition Communist party, in the name of fighting political “extremism” and dissolving the legislature to allow Yeltsin to rule indefinitely by decree.

Yeltsin’s naming of Putin as his preferred heir did not impress analysts.

“Putin is not a public figure, ” said analyst Andrei Piontkovsky of the man dubbed the Grey Cardinal for his secretive, behind-the-scenes style.

Putin’s taciturn expression is also unlikely to appeal to Russian voters.

“But Putin is the best candidate (as prime minister) if The Family is preparing a non-constitutional scenario for holding on to their power and privileges, ” Piontkovsky added.

Politicians and analysts from across the spectrum were unanimous on one point — Putin’s appointment had nothing to do with protecting national interests or helping the economy.

“This could jeopardize the (economic) recovery we have seen, ” said Peter Westin, economist at Russian Economic Trends.

“Yeltsin is just showing the only means of power he has, hiring and firing. It is becoming fairly ridiculous.”

Putin, whom Yeltsin also named as first deputy prime minister yesterday, must now be approved by the State Duma. If the opposition-dominated chamber rejects him three times, Yeltsin must call an election.

Analysts were divided over whether deputies, who in any case face the voters in December, would accept Putin.

Some said deputies would quietly nod him through, as they did Stepashin, to hold on to their privileges until their mandate expires. (Hamilton Spectator, C4, 8/10/1999)