Now this promises to get nasty: A website called Stop Iggy. (Emphasis theirs.)
We are Liberals who are deeply concerned by Michael Ignatieff’s candidacy for leadership of the Liberal Party. His campaign has already mobilized all across the country, and there is a very real possibility that he could become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Should that happen, Mr. Ignatieff might actually have a shot at becoming Prime Minister. But it is not too late! If each and every one of us commits to work together, we can STOP IGGY! Please take a moment to view our website to find out how, and to discover some disturbing things you may not have known about the Man Who Could Be Prime Minister.
The web site references all sorts of ''nasty'' pronouncements by Ignatieff on war and torture and American imperialism.
The domain name's registrar is Tucows Inc. (har, har) in Calgary and the registrant is Thunderline Internet Solutions in Thunder Bay.
But the ''Stop Iggy'' symbols were first seen in Drummondville, Quebec in April -- when this site was registered. Here's the top of a Montreal Gazette story published April 30.
Standing in the crowded lobby of a local hotel, Marsha Akman was like a kid on a shopping spree.
"We have a meeting right now with Stephane Dion, then we're meeting Carolyn Bennett at 12, then we're going to be meeting (Ken) Dryden afterwards," said Akman, a Liberal activist in the riding of Mount Royal and a member of the party's women's commission. "We're going to start talking issues and get a feel for how they are and go from there."
Like many members of the federal party's Quebec wing, Akman does not yet know who will get her vote when Liberals meet in early December in Montreal to choose their next leader.
However, she has already scratched one candidate off her list. "It's anybody but Ignatieff," said Akman, sporting two "Stop Iggy" stickers on her shirt to protest what she sees as Michael Ignatieff's right-wing views.
Could there be a connection?
I doubt that any card-carry Liberal would be so self-destructive. (Oh wait ...!)
According to conservative blogger Steve Janke:
The person behind this (the registration information says only to contact Thunderline, which is a company run by a fellow named David James) doesn't care who wins, as long as it is not Michael Ignatieff. Even Joe Volpe would be better. Here's the insightful analysis that explains why:
Although we at STOP IGGY know very little about this guy, we are happy he is running because he is NOT IGGY!
Against intellectual titans like these, what chance does Ignatieff have?
I can't handicap this race but it looks like it may be a fun ride for political observers.
that'll be funny if bob rae is behind it all - bwahahahahaha - pretending to be alienated from the ndp, taking out a liberal party membership, running for leader - ALL TO STOP IGGY! an inside job too rich not to be true!
Posted by: sooey | June 28, 2006 at 08:35 PM
If the Liberals elect Iggy as their new leader they deserve to LOSE!
There has to be a bunch of power hungry morons running the party! South of the border they would be known as 'The Good Old Boys'!
Posted by: Bill-Muskoka | June 28, 2006 at 08:51 PM
"Iggy" is right of center on some foreign policy but left on social issues, so I suppose it comes down to , what the Libs feel is more important.The rest of them don't seem to swift at the moment,
Posted by: Stephen Reeves | June 28, 2006 at 09:17 PM
The only way people can stop Ignatieff is to actually get off their fat butts and join the Liberal party.
For the past couple of months I've been trying to sign people up so that they could take part in the leadership vote, it was one of the most disappointing things I've ever done.
No one wants to take time to read a pamphlet let alone know how a party works.
But then again, these are the people complaining, ad nuseaum about the new leader.
IMHO, the delegate system ahould be replaced with a single person, sibge vote.
Posted by: Big G | June 28, 2006 at 09:57 PM
Heck - they could ALL vote for MARTHA - it's time!
Posted by: | June 29, 2006 at 06:43 AM
Big G,
Good effort on your part. The Liberals have self destructed very badly. They failed to control JC and his horde of Good Old Boys. Then came Martin, and again, they failed to maintain focus.
The last campaign was a joke with the worst ads I have seen. before all that I would have voted for the incument Liberal. As it was neither the Liberal or CPC got my vote.
Time for a change. The best qualified person the Liberals have is Belinda. Smart, savvy, and has more credibility than Iggy (Yankee go home), but then she is a woman, so the insiders just can't handle that yet, eh?
It will be a long time before the party regains any majority I think. Hopefully, after McGuinty tenure of destruction, we will NEVER have another majority. Not one party is worthy of that much power!
Posted by: Bill-Muskoka | June 29, 2006 at 07:44 AM
As long as I keep seeing Belinda's name in the news I'll retain hope for the Liberal Party.
williamfudger@blogspot.com
Posted by: william fudger | June 29, 2006 at 08:22 PM
William Fudger,
I believe the line from 'Babylon 5' applies well to their plight 'Last, best hope!'
Posted by: Bill-Muskoka | June 29, 2006 at 09:18 PM
Steve Janke is no intellectual titan himself. Though I'm glad to see he's stopped harrassing teen boys who alter GO train LED display boards.
Posted by: Justin... | June 29, 2006 at 10:18 PM
It looks like the Toronto Star, is more in tune with Iggy, and his support for the action in Afhanistan, it's editorials recently, and especially today's seem to confirm this.
Posted by: Stephen Reeves | June 30, 2006 at 06:22 AM