Howard and the Liberals

I'm confused. I thought we were the ones who were trying to copy and suck up to the Americans:

The upcoming Liberal convention appears destined to open on a decidedly discordant note as U.S. political brawler Howard Dean takes the platform for the keynote address.

Liberal brass think hearing from the Democrats' top organizer in that party's Nov. 7 electoral triumph south of the border is a brilliantly timed coup. But some are greeting the scheduled appearance of the failed U.S. presidential hopeful, famous for his on-air scream, with resentment.

[...]

...some Liberals see no humour in the situation.

They are not amused that their party, which has often accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of marching in lockstep with the United States, is looking to an American to establish the tone of the national convention in Montreal.

"This is an insulting choice," said Ray Heard, a well-known Toronto Liberal. "Howard Dean is a loudmouth and the ultimate loser."

Heard said he resents the fact the party could not find a Canadian of national stature to open the convention, which runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3

"Why couldn't a Canadian do it? If Stephen Harper invited an American conservative to open a Conservative convention in Canada, the Liberals would be going crazy with outrage."

All together now: "Not only are we going to Ontario, we're going to Quebec! And British Columbia and Alberta and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick! And we're going to Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador! And we're going to Manitoba and Nunavut and PEI and the Northwest Territories! And then we're going to Ottawa, to take back 24 Sussex Drive! Yaaaaaargh!!!"

Damian P.

Update: Kate McMillan posts a screenshot of the LPC website, featuring a photo of Dean's smiling face in front of Old Glory. There's something very...Canadian about a political party that plays to voters' anti-Americanism but swoons over the first big-name Yank who will acknowledge them.

Posted by damian at November 16, 2006 09:38 AM