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| Would you trust this guy? |
Blanchet's failure to respond to damaging testimony at the Charbonneau Inquiry should be a news story in and of itself, even though it isn't being reported as such.
This blog is going to shine the light on the fact that the media is remiss in its duty to report on the behind the scenes political drama.
Usually the media is diligent in telling us when interview requests are refused, with all that it implies, but the media has been silent about Blanchet, as if members of the Press are afraid to go up against the Premier, the old issue of denied access in retaliation, always the fly in the ointment.
Before I go on, let me remind readers of the issue at hand, the allegations that perhaps a deal was struck between the FTQ union and Claude Blanchet, to influence his wife, (then opposition leader) to impede any effort to create a Commission that would eventually look into union affairs in regards to corruption and infiltration by criminal elements.
"The FTQ, Quebec's largest labour federation, was ready to ask Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois for help in ensuring no corruption inquiry ever took place, according to a wiretap conversation heard Tuesday.Marois was quick to deny that any deal was in place, telling reporters that the PQ did indeed demand that an inquiry be held and that even if the FTQ asked for consideration, the FTQ didn't get it.
The 2009 exchange, which was played at the Charbonneau Commission on Tuesday, is between two senior union bosses — then-federation president Michel Arsenault and Jean Lavallée, a former president of the FTQ's construction wing.
Arsenault is overheard on the wiretap saying he has a deal with "Blanchet," a reference to Claude Blanchet, Marois's husband, who previously ran the FTQ's billion-dollar solidarity fund.Former FTQ president Michel Arsenault lost a legal fight to stop the wiretap conversations featuring him from being heard by the commission.
Arsenault also said in the conversation he'll "talk to Pauline" to make sure the PQ didn't support holding a public inquiry that would focus on unions." Read more
But that isn't entirely true, while the PQ did come to demand an inquiry, it was not until the debate was over a year old.
The delay may now be seen as a rearguard action to stall any such inquiry, a position that could no longer be maintained when Jacques Duchesneau's leaked a report detailed the shocking link between organized crime and the construction industry.
And so, like a forward military unit holding back superior opposition forces, the PQ decision to abandon it's surreptitious FTQ support may have been made because the position was no longer defensible.
The Blanchet connection to the FTQ is long-standing, he was the first CEO of the union's Solidarity Fund and has maintained cosy relations ever since he left for a government appointment, where he headed a government investment agency that engendered over $700 billion in losses on his watch, during which time incidentally, he and other executives were voting themselves performance bonuses.
When Jean Charest came to power, the first thing he did was to get rid of Blanchet, but not before a hefty severance package, including a year's salary and an $88,000 LIFETIME PENSION was negotiated. This after five years on the job.
At any rate, Blanchet scored a loan from the FTQ Solidarity Fund of just under $3 million dollars, the bare threshold over which the entire Board of Directoers would have to give its approval.
The loan was made to a company that employed Blanchet, Pauline Marois' brother and the son of Blanchet/Marois as well.
Ultimately, that loan was defaulted upon.....not a big surprise.
In a wiretap conversation Michel Arsenaealt the then president of the FTQ admitted to another union organizer that the loan wasn't exactly conform, but because Marois might become Premier soon, it was worth the effort.
Given the chumminess of the Blanchet/Marois clan with the FTQ, why wouldn't the FTQ try to cash in on the relationship to derail any potential commission? I certainly would...
Yesterday Francois Legault asked Phillipe Couillard to join forces with him in compelling Blanchet to testify before a National Assembly committee to explain the 'deal' that he did or did not make with the FTQ.
Couillard declined the offer, telling reporters that it was up to the Charbonneau Commission to look into the affair, a principled but utterly foolhardy and politically inept decision.
If Couillard ever wants to be successful, he's got to understand that principles have no place in politics and that when an advantage presents itself, failure to seize it over niceties is a recipe for failure.
The time to kick your political opponents is when they are down and vulnerable, something every veteran understands.
Blanchet testifying before his enemies in Parliament would have been sweet. Unlike those at the Commission who offer dubious testimony, Blanchet, as the Premier's husband, would be held to a much higher standard by the public. Blanchet is an oily and unsympathetic character and having him testify would have been a disaster for Marois.
But alas, it is not to be. I am stunned by Couillard's amateur mistake.
Don't underestimate the impact of the testimony, It could very well have been the start of the undoing of Pauline.
You never know where little things can lead, remember Watergate?
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
On Thursday Marois came out with a blistering defence of her husband, but not one reporter dared ask her if and when he would meet the press in person.
Claude Blanchet is a ghost and nobody dares ask why. Perhaps we need the innocent little boy who asked the Emperor why he had no clothes.
Such is the bravery of our media... Gang de Peureux!
Not one reporter asked La Pauline the question that we'd all like to see answered, that is whether her hubby has been met by investigators of the Charbonneau Commission to "help them with their inquiries' (a British euphemism for a suspect not yet charged.)
This, by the way is a very distinct possibility.
And so Blanchet is hiding behind his wife's skirt, either through cowardice, fear or advice from party mandarins OR the fact that he is going to to or has met with Commission investigators to give his side of the story.
Unfortunately, Blanchet is off the hook for now and its probably a certainty that none of the truth will come out before an election.
Marois, the grizzled political veteran must be laughing at the Liberal ineptitude, boosting her confidence to continue her slimy electioneering policy of delivering goodies in swing ridings.
I want to remind readers exactly what kind of politican she is by quoting her exact words in a Santa Claus speech delivered in the money pit known as the Gaspé;
"The riding of Bonaventure made a very good choice in the last election and you have the results of this choice."Opposition leaders howled in rage at the crassness of telling voters that they were being paid off for voting PQ and comparisons were made with Premier Maurice Duplessis, the historical king of pork-barrel politics.
('Le comté de Bonaventure a fait un très bon choix lors des dernières élections et vous avez les résultats aujourd'hui de ce choix')
I know that Mr. Couillard is extremely intelligent, but as I've made the point before, it is no clear advantage in politics as proven by US president Jimmy Carter, blessed with one of the highest IQs of any predecessor, but whose presidency was a giant bust.
Its time for Couillard to get down in the pit and sling mud faster than it can be flung at him.
People may abhor 'negative' campaigning, but it continues to be employed because IT WORKS.
Marois is vulnerable because most voters don't like Blanchet who is seen as a slick opportunist, who rose on the coat tails of his wife.
Could you imagine the devastating effect of a US style attack ad?
(Announcer over a picture of Blanchet with his familiar toothy and off-putting smile)
" Why is the Premier's husband doing the bidding of corrupt unions?
What was the deal he made to sell out the real interests of Quebecers ?
Why did the union make a $3 million loan to the Premier's husband, brother and son and where did the money disappear?
We need a Premier who works for the people and the people alone.
Vote Phillipe Couillard and the Liberals and say NO to special interests."
I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.Ha! Ha! Priceless..
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgebern137450.html#wkWxrrJ0f4zIAgsX.99
I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgebern137450.html#wkWxrrJ0f4zIAgsX.9
