How's it playing in Pe-Tory-ia?

We still don't have the official confirmation, but it's interesting to note how the expected departure of Ian Brodie from the PMO is being greeted with relief by some in Conservative quarters, such as here and here.

And here's some Conservative criticism of the juvenile attack ad on the party's website, noted on this blog and others yesterday.

It is kind of refreshing, actually, to see this independence of thought in a realm that often seems to thrive on recycling talking points from central Conservative command.

And incidentally, there's another theory why Brodie is leaving - Harper thinks people in politics should mind their own business. Nobody likes a gossipy busybody.

Comments

[Catherine]

Susan, your comment "It is kind of refreshing, actually, to see this independence of thought in a realm that often seems to thrive on recycling talking points from central Conservative command. " is really demeaning to those who don't believe that Stephane Dion is worthy of our support. I know when I comment (be it on blogs or in real conversations with my friend), I do not have to visit conservative.ca for my talking points.

Susan, how can we possibly believe your political commentary, when you so blatantly display such disdain for a major portion of Canadian citizens (i.e. we are all robots and we cannot possibly have our own opinions which may be similar/same as seen the conservative.ca site).

It also seems that you, Susan, are repeating the Liberal's mantra - Stephen Harper is a control freak and conservatives only repeat the prescribed rhetoric. Are you then not demonstrating the very thing that you accuse the conservatives of?

[Lemon]

Thanks for link, Susan.
Over the last many months we (at least I) have changed our editorial policy (easier for us to do than a big outlet). Many are not happy with the way the CPC is doing things, while staying conservatives and we're not afraid to show it.
But to the credit of BT editors - not once have we been criticized by them.
Cheers

[Reid]

"It is kind of refreshing, actually, to see this independence of thought in a realm that often seems to thrive on recycling talking points from central Conservative command."

That's a bit of an ignorant comment Susan. Ignorant, not because it isn't true, but because it ignores the fact that for every "recycling talking points from central Conservative command," I can find one from Liberal HQ.

It's statements just like you made there that have earned the TorStar the name RedStar. Keep up the good work loyal Dionista!

[neil]

99% of us don't know who this person(Brody) is or what his lot in life was............ not to mention - do we really care!

[Vid]

It is not surprising to read the above comments that, as always, seem to try to justify criticism of the Harper Tories by saying the Liberals did/do it, too. That excuse has long exceeded its best before date. I thought that Stephen Harper ran on a platform of setting higher standards for accountability and openness? Where is the evidence?

I, too, find it refreshing to read some conservative commentators who dare to depart from the party line and speak a little truth to power. To suppress criticism by building a culture of fear, no matter by which party, is distinctly unhealthy and will eventually rot that party from within.