Media Alert

I am going to be on the Michael Coren Show tonight at 8:00 PM, as part of the "On the Hill" panel.

That show, of course, is on the Christian Television System.

Media Alert

I am scheduled to appear Sunday on CTV's news affairs show, Question Period.

Not sure exactly at what point I will appear on the show, but it starts at noon EST.

My topic will be the Conservtive Party and its problems in the polls.

My personality? It's elementary

According to the "Jung Typology Test" I am a ISFJ personality type, that is Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging.

You can see exactly the kind of person that makes me here.

Other ISFJ's include Queen "Bloody" Mary I of England, Jerry Seinfeld and Dr. Watson of Sherlock Holmes fame.

I would judge this test, but I am feeling a little introverted right now.

H/T Wonder Woman

Me on TV

I am scheduled to appear on the Michael Coren Show tonight at 8:00 PM EST.

I will be part of the "On the Hill" panel which examines issues in federal politics.

Well I suppose that's better than being on the "Over the Hill" panel.

The Coren Show is on a Christian network, so I, of course, will have to watch my language.

Me in the Citizen

I am quoted in this Ottawa Citizen article today on the Conservative Party's campaign finance reforms.

It seems Opposition politicians are howling mad because Prime Minister Harper won't reveal the names of "secret donors" from his 2002 Canadian Alliance leadership campaign.

Haven't they got better things to criticize than five year old issues that nobody outside of Ottawa cares about?

Mind you, Harper has no one to blame for this. All his recent talk about the evils of money in the political process has opened himself up to these charges.

As I say in the Citizen piece: "Conservatives shouldn't be telling people what do with their money."

Selling out true conservatism

Make sure to pick up a copy of today's National Post.

I have an op-ed in it that's near and dear to my heart.

It debunks the myths tossed at me by those Tories who defend Prime Minister Stephen Harper's drift to the political left.

Myths such as Harper needs to go left because "Canada is a left-wing country" and "Conservatism is too scary".

The fact that some Conservatives actually believe those myths is sad; the fact that Harper seems to is just plain baffling.

Media Update:
I will be discussing my column and other issues on the radio shows Montreal Today with Joe Cannon at approximately 10:20 AM EST and on Adler Online at approximate 4:20 PM EST.

The Real Stephen Harper

The Ottawa Citizen has an indepth piece today which speculates on what a Harper majority government would be like.

The article notes:

In his first 15 months as prime minister, Mr. Harper has governed more like a cautious centrist: rolling out a big-spending budget aimed at middle-income families, reaching out to moderate Red Tories in his caucus, and appealing to "soft" nationalists in Quebec. The difference has been so stark, in fact, that former right-wing allies are accusing him of selling out to the political left.

I guess I am one of the former "right-wing allies" because the writer quotes me quite a bit in the article.

Check it out.

You're welcome Stephane

Who says the Liberals can't take advice?

About a week ago, I had a column in the Toronto Star suggesting the left-leaning Liberals needed to adopt a more fiscal conservative stance if they were to have any hope of forming the next government.

Well lo and behold today's Globe and Mail reports, "In a change of tactics that marks a rethinking of Liberal political strategy, Stéphane Dion set up shop on Bay Street yesterday to accuse the Conservative government of handicapping Canadian business and making the country's corporations vulnerable to foreign takeovers."

OK Stephane, that first bit of advice was a freebie, but from now on I'm charging for my consulting services.

Me in the Maclean's 50

OK this is exciting.

I have just been inducted into "The Maclean’s 50."

And no that's not an elite military outfit.

It's actually a select group of Canadians who have the opportunity to comment directly on the magazine's online coverage of national affairs stories.

Others in The Maclean's 50 include people like Preston Manning, Allan Rock, Hugh Segal, Tom Flanagan, Steve Paikin, Lewis MacKenzie and a whole bunch
of others.

Clearly, it's kind of an august group, and I am happy to be among their number.

So be sure to read Maclean's online and watch for my brilliant comments.

Chatting with Gerry

Check out this Calgary Herald blog.

The topic of discussion: Me.

Me in the Globe (Twice)

I have a column in today's Globe and Mail (sorry it's behind a firewall) lamenting the leftward drift of the federal Conservative Party.

My point is simple: conservatives need to pressure Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stick true to his principles, otherwise we might as well elect Liberals.

My column is mentioned in this news article, which also appears in today's Globe.

Media Upate:

I will be on Focus 980 at 11:15 AM EST to discuss my op-ed and Belinda Stronach's departure.

Will also be on CFRA radio at about 1:20 PM EST.

The NCC and Me

The National Citizens Coalition discusses my termination on their blog, here are some of the posted comments:

* "I really admired Gerry and his honesty and integrity. I have to be honest; this makes me very nervous. We need a strong independent voice to fight for the citizens against the excesses of big government. With the conservatives so obviously now leading that charge with the Liberals and the NDP and even the Greens following now we need that independent voice even more. I’m questioning now if I should have recently joined the NCC."

* "The recent treatment of Gerry Nichols is a disgrace. To publically humiliate a fine man like him who has been the face of NCC , and done so much to advance the cause of NCC is totally lacking in hunan decency and good judgment. I hope he gets a good lawyer. He deserves the best."

* "The most cogent explanation of who you are or were with gerry Nichols was in the Toronto Star this morning where he writes about the failed dream of us Conservatives as we see Mr. Harper’s lack of action on our issues. Too bad that wasn’t done in previous months and years. Your exposure level needs a bit of a kick start."

Interesting, eh?

I'll get by with a little help from my friends

If I've learned anything in the last couple of days, it's the importance of friendship.

Since my departure from the National Citizens Coalition, I have received an avalanche of calls and emails from so many friends and colleagues offering kind words of encouragement and support, that I can't even be properly depressed!!

I am so grateful to all of you for your warm wishes. It means a lot.

Here's a sampling of some comments:

* "I’m sure you won’t be unemployed for long. With those rugged good looks…"

* "I have no doubt that whatever you choose to do next, it will be done with the same ass-kicking passion for liberty that has clearly driven your career."

* "The NCC is losing their best star!”

* "It's hard for me to imagine the National Citizens Coalition without you.”

Also special thanks to Rondi Adamson, Adam Daifallah, Paul Tuns, Janet Neilson and Peter Jaworski who have all blogged about this.

Blog Update:

Here are some more blog mentions: At Home In Hespeler, Road Hammer, Corridors of Mind, Objects of My Interest, and BBS.


Happy Easter everybody!

Media Update:

I am scheduled to appear on The World Tonight with Rob Breakenridge at about 9:00 PM EST.