Mader Blog

Comments: Flaherty vs. Tory

Hey Cowboy:

More than two of your friends will be supporting Frank Klees.
I wouldn't under estimate the man, the message or the cause.
There are serious problems in this party. People are very upset, angry and want some questions answered.
Frank Klees is the only candidate talking about the REAL issues within the party.

As for Tory, I wish him well.

Posted by Nicholas Avramis at March 10, 2004 11:57 AM

Amen Nick...

Dan, Frank is going to suprise alot of people. He has been working very hard and has built grassroots support all over the province. I think everyone is going to be shocked at the amount of support he has been able to build in the last number of months. As for the youth, Frank will have a very credible youth team this I can guarentee you. He has the clearest vision for where he wants to take the party and this will show in his campaign. As usual Urquhart got it wrong... he will not be the kingmaker that is to John or Jim, whichever one can keep up!

Posted by Patrick Harris at March 10, 2004 12:11 PM

Thanks guys.

Funnily enough, you're the two Klees supporters I was referring to. I love the fact that you both commented. That's the power of the blogosphere, I guess!

I hope Klees does play a role in this race, because, unlike Tory, he's actually a conservative. What I was saying is that I don't think it'll happen.

Posted by Dan Mader at March 10, 2004 12:26 PM

Fingers crossed that there are enough real conservatives to push Flaherty over the line. Hopefully the Red Tories have learned their lesson.

Posted by Tim G at March 10, 2004 12:46 PM

Dear Nick and Pat,

What is with the tact Klees has taken so far -- publicly criticizing key members of the Harris inner circle in the media, that is. How does rubbing salt in those wounds help the party rebuild?

Posted by Adam D at March 10, 2004 01:25 PM

Adam:

This is not about "rubbing salt" in the party's wounds. This is about exposing what has happened and ensuring that it never happens again.

Sticking one's head in the sand and acting as if nothing happened is not only naive and stupid, but will not allow this party to go forward and as you put it- rebuild!

Posted by Nicholas Avramis at March 10, 2004 03:57 PM

Frank said what many were too afraid to say. He simply felt that Caucus and the Party deserved better. We need to heal the party but first we need to figure out where we went wrong and fix it. I do not want a leader who is going not going to stand up for the party. Frank has shown that he will stand up for the Party and Caucus first and foremonst! That is why he is going to be the dark horse and win this leadership!

Posted by Patrick Harris at March 10, 2004 04:17 PM

I got involved during the election and went to my first convention in Niagara Falls...

I met John, Jim and Frank. As someone who has not been involved in politics very long my intitial instinct was to support Frank Klees...

I have met all three since the convention and this has only been reinforced...

Dan i guess there are three of us now... :-)

Posted by Adam V at March 10, 2004 04:19 PM

Dan I'm hurt that you don't consider me as someone that you know. I guess I'm not a friend of yours after all because I'm supporting Frank Klees.
So if the two people that you know who are supporting Klees doesn't include me, then what does that make me? Chopped liver?
I'm hurt Dan. I'm weeping.

And then there was four...

Posted by Brook D at March 10, 2004 04:29 PM

I think Frank is going to be a great leader. No one can hold the coat tails to him. He is the only one that is able to debate and knows the issues. Frank is the only choice for a better Ontario.

Shawn P. Branch

Posted by Shawn P. Branch at March 10, 2004 04:36 PM

Go Frank Go!!!!

...that makes five!

Posted by Paul Stickney at March 10, 2004 06:22 PM

Klees' message is right on in both espousing genuinely conservative views and questioning the wisdom of the Tory strategy under Comrade Eves. I'm not sure, however, if he has the personality many would want in a leader (nor does Jim Flaherty). And there will also be questions about his appearing to enter the Canadian Alliance leadership race in 2000 and suddenly dropping out after allegations of pay-offs and what not.

Posted by Paul Tuns at March 10, 2004 09:56 PM

Brook, Shawn, Paul (Stickney):

Sorry guys. I honestly meant no disprespect. I'd just forgotten you were with Frank. So, okay, I admit that I know more than two youth supporting Frank. But I think my original point still stands, which is that the vast majority of youth I know are supporting Jim.

Posted by Dan Mader at March 11, 2004 12:11 AM

Nick et al:

Going to the media to expose what has happened and ensuring it never happens again doesn't help the party. If anything can be taken from the past 30 years of Tory politics or what's currently happening in the Liberal Party, it's that these family disputes ought to be kept private.

Posted by AD at March 11, 2004 09:53 AM

Well I can tell you that I have talked to very few people that have been upset about what Frank is saying (the only ones who are are 1) The people he is talking about or 2) Jim Flaherty supporters - WOW go figure). Elizabeth Witmer said very similar things when she was interviewed. This is not like two sides of the party going to war like the liberals, this is the overwhelming majority of our Party (Caucus included) taking issue with the actions of a few.

Posted by Patrick Harris at March 11, 2004 03:12 PM

Frank; Jim; John: What does it matter? I'm paying $400 next week so I can borrow $300 this week! :p

Posted by Dave Breadner at July 16, 2004 09:03 AM

premarin Your blog rocks premarin

Posted by Premarin at November 8, 2004 08:37 AM

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