Right Side of the Same Sex Debate
January 27, 2005 · By H. Cameron
What seems to be the problem here? Harper’s position on gay marriage falls well within the position of a majority of Canadians, yet we continue to have a barge of news articles claiming different?
Nationally, the poll shows 42% back the Conservatives’ position while 35% agree with the prime minister.
The numbers for Ontario are nearly identical to those for the GTA, with 57% of those polled siding with preserving the traditional definition of marriage compared to 38% who believe same-sex couples should be included.
Look at this article from the Canadian Press,
Harper’s gay marriage strategy exposes rift among Conservatives
OTTAWA (CP) - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper’s position on gay marriage may play well with most of his MPs on the surface, but it exposes deep divisions that remain after the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative wedding.
While former Alliance members appear comfortable with Harper’s decision to launch an ad campaign against same-sex marriage, many ex-Tories are decidedly uncomfortable. Marie-Josee Lapointe, former press secretary to Tory Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, calls Harper’s stance “bad strategy that’s left me completely flabbergasted.”
A bad strategy? If you ask me, it’s a strategy that is obviously working. As I stated yesterday, the former Alliance and PC parties were never close on policy and now we’re starting to see the consequences of this mismatched union.
If you read further you’ll find this passage,
“The strategy has got our political people just shaking their heads. Is this where you draw the line, really? How about dealing with issues that really affect our lives.”
Suddenly it’s the Conservatives fault for defending the traditional definition of marriage? Was it not the Liberals who pursued same-sex legislation? Did these former Progressive Conservatives not read the Alliances policy statements prior to the merger? Why is everyone suddenly suprised?
Another tidbit,
His decision to launch the ads without consulting his deputy leader, Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay, reignited talk in some circles about just how involved former Progressive Conservatives are in the new party’s direction.
Harper can’t seem to take a shit without the media outlets first asking Peter McKay’s opinion. But really, who cares what McKay has to say?
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