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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com. This summer I am joined by Keir Wilmut and Omar Soliman.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Thoughts on cabinet
The optics of the first Harper cabinet are very good. It is a hard-working and talented group of people. There were surprises: the two biggest of which, obviously, being David Emerson's defection and the appointment of Michael Fortier to public works. I don't like the optics on these two moves. It gives a "business as usual" lustre to the new government on its first day, and these guys are supposed to be doing things differently.
I also surprised about Ablonczy not getting a post, as well as James Moore, Jason Kenney and Peter Van Loan. Nice to see some solid small-c conservatives like Jim Flaherty, John Baird, Maxime Bernier, Monte Solberg and Tony Clement get high-profile jobs.
It was great to see the person who gave me my first job in politics, Marjory LeBreton, being sworn in as government leader in the Senate. Sen. LeBreton is a good soul and has travelled a long road in the last couple of years. I wasn't even expecting her to support the new merged party. But she did, and with vigor. She was an integral part of the election campaign team dealing with the media and became a trusted Harper adviser. This is someone who started out as a secretary at party headquarters under Diefenbaker! What an amazing story. Just goes to show anything's possible.
I also found the whole swearing in ceremony sort of funny. Here are all these Tories surrounded by people opposed to everything they are going to do in office. Can you imagine what was going through the vice regals' minds as they shook hands with Stockwell Day or Jim Flaherty? And Barbara Uteck, the GGs secretary who led the ceremony, is a charter member of the Ottawa Liberal cocktail circuit. I have one wish: that the Tories remain in power long enough to appoint a GG. Which, I think, is about four years away.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 11:47 AM
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