Test the Coalition: Call an Election

Talk has surfaced about defeating the Conservative minority government in a confidence-vote on Monday. Stephane Dion (L-Saint Laurent-Cartierville, QC) has announced a deal in which he would form a coalition government with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois, with Mr. Dion as Prime Minister. While this move is fully constitutional, this option was not presented to the Canadian people in the last, and quite recent, election. Many interpreted the results as being a stronger mandate for the Conservatives, with a retained sense that the government needed to cooperate with the opposition to pass needed legislation. A change in government would be a repudiation of this clearly stated desire of the electorate.

The Canadian-American, knowing the extreme costs of holding a federal election, supports returning Canadians to the polls. Canadians would then have full knowledge that anything short of a Conservative majority would result in a conditional-majority government which includes the Liberals, NDP and the Bloc Quebecois. Consent of the governed is a key element of any liberal democracy, and it is critical that the proposed coalition government has the explicit consent of the Canadian people to govern. The Canadian-American supports a Conservative majority in the event of an election.

Election 2008: Endorsements

The Canadian-American is pleased to announce its endorsements for Election 2008.

President: Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)
Representative in Congress: Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT)
State Senator: Sen. Tony Guglielmo (R-Stafford)
State Representative: Rep. Penny Bacchiochi (R-Somers)
Registrar of Voters: Paul C. Adamski (R)

I'll be posting updates on this critical election later.

Prime Minister Support: Stephen J. Harper

With Election 2008 slated for 2008-10-14, The Canadian-American is thrilled to support the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper (C-CAN/AB) for re-election as Canada's prime minister. This, of course, implies the support of Conservative MPs in ridings throughout the country. Prime Minister Harper has demonstrated and offers Canadians strong leadership on the important issues of the day. Prime Minister Harper is a member of a new generation of leaders and will work well with President Barack H. Obama on issues of critical importance to North America, including ensuring the quality of our environment, strengthening North America's economy and restoring North America's place in the world. Check back periodically for more updates as Election 2008 continues, on both sides of the border.

Presidential Endorsement: Sen. Barack Hussein Obama

Despite my earlier post that I would endorse Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for the presidency, recent events have have persuaded me to change my endorsement. I have supported Sen. McCain for a long time, dating back to the 2000 GOP primary for President. I strongly believe that our World would be more peaceful and just and our Republic more vibrant and prosperous were Sen. McCain's term as President expiring 2009-01-20. However, the Sen. McCain I have passionately supported and defended is not running for President this year.

While I have discontinued my support for Sen. McCain for many reasons, one recent event caused me to lose any remaining feelings of support for him. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was discussing how keeping our tires properly inflated would save as much gasoline as, if not more than, that produced through granting additional offshore oil drilling leases (which The Canadian-American opposes). Sen. McCain responded by saying, "My opponent doesn't want to drill, he doesn't want nuclear power, he wants you to inflate your tires." Mocking practical, existing tools to make better use of our energy resources is unacceptable and unbecoming of an individual running for President.

In this and many other examples, Sen. Obama has shown that he has the wisdom and judgement to be the next President of the United States. The Republic needs a President who will reverse the damage caused by 8 y of the destructive polices of the Bush Administration. We need a President who will assertively pursue a peaceful and just World. We need a President who will passionately uphold the Constitution. We need a President who will respect the individual choices of the Republic's citizens and the right of Nations to set their own course, without outside interference. I am confident that Sen. Obama will be that President. Therefore, The Canadian-American is thrilled to endorse him and Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) for election as President and Vice President, respectively, of the United States.

I have updated my sidebar to include a link to Sen. Obama's campaign website and his Republicans for Obama page. I have discontinued the GOP news feed for the duration of the election, as it mostly contains links to anti-Obama material. This blog is staunchly pro-Obama-Biden and will therefore not host such material. Please look for more Obama-Biden content and coverage (including this week's Democratic National Convention) as Election 2008 continues. More endorsements (including those for U. S. House of Representatives and the Connecticut General Assembly) will follow.

In Memoriam: Virginia Tech Massacre Victims

On 2007-04-16, 33 people were murdered at Virginia Tech as Cho Seung-Hui, 23, unleashed what is the worst case of school violence and the most bloody shooting in U. S. history. This senseless, heinous act highlights the need for close and loving communities, which the faculty, staff and students at Virginia Tech have so clearly exemplified over the past 2 d. Our thoughts and prayers should be with all of the victims, their family and friends, Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg, VA community.

God bless Virginia Tech.

Mutual-Link Blogroll Addition: From a Canadian Cadet to an American Soldier

This morning I am proud to introduce an addition to my Mutual-Link Blogroll, From a Canadian Cadet to an American Soldier. Here you'll find "stories by and about a multinational patriot -- an American Soldier -- and a military mom." With all of the broad strategic pronouncements we make on our blogs daily, this wonderful resource shows us very clearly that the War on Terror is being fought by people with families who love them very much.

God bless North America, its fine service-people and those they are working to protect.

In: John McCain Announces Candidacy

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) announced on the Late Show that he will seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2008. Based on his long history of defending traditional conservatism and his general independence of thought, The Canadian-American is preliminarily endorsing him for the Republican nomination and ultimately the Presidency. While this is subject to change in the unlikely event that a superior Republican candidate emerges, this blog is proud to support his campaign. This page encourages Sen. McCain to stay true to his maverick character and hopes that he will not further compromise his values in his quest for the nomination. Final endorsement for President of the United States, if any, will be given at the conclusion of the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, MN.

You can access his campaign website through the sidebar graphic.