Best and worst of the year in politics

Before tonight's big "At Issue" panel on CBC's The National - the season-ender, which is always great TV for political junkies - I'm wondering if readers out there have their own ideas for most overrated and underrated politician, or the best/worst moments of the past year in politics.

My vote for best moment was the Conservative-Liberal agreement on extending the mission in Afghanistan, including that press conference by the Manley panel.

The worst moment is harder to choose. There were just so many bad moments in Question Period.

Comments

[Darwin O'Connor]

The media's obsession with political strategy rather then policy. Talking about whether or not an policy idea will get votes or not should be limited to obscure blogs like this. Flagship newscasts should focus on the real effects of the policy so people can make an informed decision, rather then being told what their decision will be.

[bob ward]

The worst moment was when the CBC got caught formulating questions for Liberal MP Rodrigez (who speaks french 99% of the time) but after parachuting into the committee meeting, asked questions only in english, thereby confirming the questions were word for word from the CBC.

The worst part was the media refused to "name" the reporter or "report" on the reason why the CBC would provide questions or want to influence a Parliamentary committee and what the CBC agenda was.

[Catherine Wilkie]

The gov't's treatment of Ontario would be my pick for the worst moment. Flaherty/Harper show a divisive nature while have campaigned on creating harmony within the federation.

[KR]

Overrated = Stephen Harper. Tabbed as a "master strategist", Harper can't dig himself into any different polling numbers than a man he describes as "not a leader." Additionally, for someone who fancied himself as a defender of the provincial interest, his government has slowly ruined his relationships with any provincial premier who didn't vote for him, and some that did.

Underrated politician = Dan McTeague. From gas taxes to helping Canadians abroad to his Education tax credits this politicians is more in synch with the Canadian electorate than anyone gives him credit for.

Best moment of the past year = Green Shift: No matter the result of the next election, the only thing that has happened in the past year that history will remember will be the Green Shift announcement. It is big, bold, changes the political playing field, and may mark the beginning or the end of Dion's path to 24 sussex.

Worst moments of the past year in politics: The NDP accusing James Moore of looking at porn was a mean, nasty attack that showed a tremendous lack of collegiality and tact. Shame.

[Richard V]

One of the funniest moments for me was when watching Mike Duffy Live Libby Davies was stridently (as is her custom) going on and on about how we should negotiate with the Taliban. Jason Kenny quietly said to the effect "perhaps we should ask the NDP to do the negotiating". Libby just about came out of her chair and shouted "I have never been more insulted in my life" and she repeated it a few times. I laughed so hard it hurt, with a mental picture in my head of the probable mental picture in her head of someone holding a silver platter with her head on it.
I also thought how typical - all noise -no action.

[Robin]

I believe that Ruby Dhalla is an under-related politician. She has displayed both competence and tenacity while appearing on Don Newman's various political panel discussions.

Two of Ignatieff's comments to Harper stand out as best moments:

1)I didn't realize that the PM was an expert on nuclear energy re: Linda Keen firing.
2)Harper takes credit for everything and responsibility for nothing.

There are TOO MANY worst moments to count. However, every bad moment has always involved a member of the government spewing
ultra-partisan vitriol peppered with blatant lies or half truths at the Opposition. A government that behaves like the Opposition should be in Opposition and they will soon enough.

[James Curran]

Best Moment - THE Apology

Worst Moment - Hiding an Immigration Bill in a Budget Bill

Most Overrated - Stephen Harper

Most Underrated - Navdeep Bains/Joe Comartin

Most In-depth blog coverage by a Journalist - Kady O'Malley

Best Move by a Journalist - David Akin

Most Biased Journalist - Mike Duffy

Best Star Columnist - Susan Delacourt

Bonehead of the Year Award - Ian Brodie/Naftagate

Bold Political Move of the Year - Stephane Dion/Green Shift

Worst Political Move of the Year - Pierre Poilievre/The non-apology

Overrated Story of the Year - Couillard/Bernier

Underrated Story of the Year - Darfur - the fogotten mission

[Andy]

The 2007-2008 Canadian Royal Awards in Politics: (the "Crappies")

Worst Exit: Maxime Bernier

Best Entrance: Thomas Mulcair

Greatest Dedication to One's Constituents: Joe Comuzzi

Worst Opposition MP: Garth Turner

Worst Government MP: John Baird

Best Performance by an Opposition MP in a Supporting Role: Dan McTeague

Best Performance by a Government MP in a Supporting Role: Jason Kenney

Best Performance by an Opposition MP in a Leading Role: Peter Milliken

Best Performance by a Government MP in a Leading Role: David Emerson

Least Effective Party Leader: Gilles Duceppe

Most Effective Party Leader: Jack Layton

Worst Moment of the Year: The Repeated Liberal Abstentions

Best Moment of the Year: The Apology

[Sandi]

Worst for me - total lack of statesmanship and over partisanship of Harper.

He did not acknowledge our Nobel prize winner on the environment, he did not acknowledge the prestigious award given to Linda Keen pertaining to her work on nuclear issues by France - the ONLY Canadian and woman to ever win the award and his treatment of Louise Arbour.

Harper certainly is a pitiful man.

We Canadians have a right to be proud of these people - and it's Harper's responsibility to acknowledge ALL Canadians when they've made us proud.

[Sandi]

Just in case people weren't aware (thanks to Elizabeth Thompson)

News
Linda J. Keen Receives 2008 Women in Nuclear (WiN) Global Award
On May 28th, 2008, Linda J. Keen, was presented with the 2008 Women in Nuclear (WiN) Global Award in Marseilles, France. She received special recognition for excellence in communications, education, leadership and mentoring in the nuclear sector. Ms. Keen is currently a permanent full-time Member of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and was formerly President and Chief Executive Officer. The CNSC is proud to acknowledge Ms. Keen as the first Canadian to receive this award.

.......I'm sure Harper must be proud, but gee, he forgot to mention it.

[ToddSlaughter]

I second Darwin O'Connors comment about political strategy talk replacing practical policy talk. Anyone else yearn for one of those sixties style political shows where several intelligent people would calmly discuss issues and policies while sipping scotch and smoking cigarettes? You know, like in that Simpsons episode with a clip of Krusty the Clowns Klassic Krusty circa 1961.

"Tonight I will be discussing collective bargaining agreements with AFL-CIO chairman George Meany. George, is there a labour crisis in America today?"
"Krusty, it depends what you mean by the word 'crisis.'"

[Richard V]

The best thing for me was finally having a Prime Minister I can be proud of and respect. In spite of the opportunist tactics of the opposition who could have brought his government down at any time he managed to get a lot done - much of it things the Liberals should have done years ago but didn't because it might cost votes. There were a few glitches but none that gave the Media a story for more than a week or two but overall I think he did damn good, and he has enough Alberta in him (In spite of being from Toronto) that he doesn't care what the extreme left thinks or wants. Just do the right thing the best you can and get the job done.
Don't bother attacking me left wing whiners - I (Like Harper) don't care what you think.