So lets see...JC was a total embarrassnent every time he opened his mouth.Martin was a proven criminal and should of done time over the tainted blood scandel.Graham was a boy lover that was exposed and had to quit.And now you wanted us to vote for el weirdo in Dion.Whats next,a guy who been out of the country for 30years in Iggy.?.Ummmm...face it liberals,your jig is up.The right to govern days are over in this country,
Has the fact that a PROVINCIAL party is running in a FEDERAL election grabbed your attention?
3% of the Canadian popluation OUTSIDE of Quebec speaks French as a first language. And one point that is more important, PQ has every intention of working with their own provincial agenda and not a national agenda. When the two agendas conflict, PQ agenda will favor Quebec.
Is this what you want for a party running Canada?
IMHO, PQ in federal government amounts to treason.
Prior to Harper, Canada was known worldwide as humanitarians. We provide MORE aid per capita then do Americans. NOT ONCE since 9-11 have Taliban threatened 'THE WEST' as Bush had inferred. And ONLY AFTER Harper signed Canadians up for the NATO invasion in Afghanistan has Canada become a target of terrorism.
While Canada SHOULD be in Afghanistan, it should ONLY be under the UN Security Council/ Forces and NOT under NATO. Harper has made all Canadians targets of terrorism.
Okay, so they tell Dion that he has to pretend he's been PM since Harper took office (which was 2.5 yrs at the time). Dion says "oh, okay, since 2.5 yrs ago then..." and they say no, even though that was the correct amount of time. if ctv had their facts straight, he wouldn't have gotten so confused.
im glad we didnt have another french guy as prime minister they are so dumb and stupid i mean just look at him anybody else would have got the question evn a american could answer that quebec needs to leave canada some how they give us a bad name i hate the french
Listen, I worked in TV News. Mistakes and bullshit like this happen all the time. They're left on the cutting room floor. The only reason that they "upon reflection," decided to air this, is because Mike Duffy heard about it.
ATV atlantic televison CTV canadian televison atv is for the maritimes like pei ns and nb your not from canada are you? or else you would have known that
i dont see why people are so worked up over a hypothetical question, it's so fucking stupid. it isn't that Dion wasn't able to answer about the economy, it was that he wasn't able to understand the question. i can't believe the way politics are viewed these days, no wonder this world is so fucked.
Why is it that everyone blames Steve Murphy for a poorly phrased, yet understandable question, when Stephan Dion makes errors in grammar all the time and often cannot be understood? Shouldn't the leader of the Liberals speak both national languages? And it was not Steve Murphy who decided to air the tape. Mr. Murphy is a great man who has helped to raise millions of dollars for families at Christmas and contributes to maritime communities in many ways.
I fully agree with you FoxTreatement,someone who wants to run for leadership in Canada SHOULD be able to speak both language fluently,but tell that to the french,they're only going to be insulted and say it's an injustice like they always say.
The problem is with the interviewer's poorly phrased question: "If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done?" When? That's what Dion's asked. Pick one: "If you were Prime Minister since... what would you have done?" or "If you are elected Prime Minister today, what would you do?" Dion's right on the money. Sorry, but the ESL courses should be taken by the reporter...
The interviewer is asking the question poorly. "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done." Pick one: "If you were Prime Minister since... what would you have done?" or "If you are elected Prime Minister now, what would you do now?"
Dion's right on the mark asking for clarification.
I am not the supporter of Mr. Dion but I want to comment in favor of Mr. Dion:
Here the problem was begun by the foolish reporter. The stupid one here was STEVE THE STUPID AND ARROGANT REPORTER. His question was very general and Mr. Dion needed the right to understand the specific interval. He needed to know since when? Okay, may be Mr. Dion did a little mistake because the question was if you were prime minister now what would you have done that Harper have not done. Continued
The fault lies with the interviewer for being perfectly incapable of forming a coherent, and grammatically correct question. People who learn English as a second language have a higher understanding of the grammar laws, and so Dion was justified in clarifying a question which was badly phrased and contained contradicting verb tenses.
To be fair to Dion... the question was a double entrenched abstract hypothetical question. In English... it would be a touch question to answer... but given he doesn't speak English.. I don't feel it's fair.
Fair is fair. I am a Conservative and support Harper fully. But I feel sorry for Mr. Dion here. It's painful.
hey chipp you can't blame dion's lack of undertsanding on the way the question was worded. Yes we do have two official languages but if you want to be prime minister you can't speak one exclusive of the other. I said it when he first came on the scene and I say it again now, Dion can't speak english and should not be leader of any party other than the bloc quebecois. I do not want a leader who can't understand me when I'm speaking the official language.
Dion is an idiot this is just another prime example!
As are the other members of the Liberal party. They lost power a few years ago and now they will do everything to steal it back - MOFO Dion, you are going down big time on the next election with your buddy Jack Layton and the NDP crappers. I can hardly wait to vote yet again........
Liberals have not grasped that when a nation dies,that nations culture and institutions always perish with it.When European-Canadian people finally become an ethnic minority in this land sometime in the future,and our grip is pried from the levers of power through sheer weight of demography,the values of the Liberal elite will be swept away by the monster they have themselves created.
Conservative or liberal, either way we're skrewed.
Rae and Ignatief: "Hey Stephane, what a brilliant idea! A covert relationship with the party who's first tenet is to break up the country. Now you go on out there and sell it to the people..."
Canada is a bilingual country. Both English and French are official languages, and we are privileged to operate in both. That Mr. Dion does not yet speak perfect English is not a reflection of his intellect OR leadership capabilities. All of the MPS have a working knowledge of English- whether they are in the Bloq, Conservative, Liberal or NDP. Yet, not all of them have a working knowledge of French.Why do Canadians tolerate and un-Canadian double standard?
I believe that what we see here is a product of a language barrier and not an indication of his abilities as prime minister, and a questions leaves room for confustion. I will admit that not having a extremely solid grasp on the english language is a problem, but it is not grounds for insulting liberal ideologies or making discriminatory comments against the french.
This is crazy...next thing Sarah Palin is going to fucking start a canadian political takeover. These fucking frogs have always been idiots...let them separate.
I don't think Dion would make for a goof prime minister and I'm very happy with the job the Harper is doing as the current prime minister...with that being said...to be fair to Dion...the question being asked was kind of confusing...I mean I get what was trying to be asked but the wording was wrong. He's asking what would Dion have done if he was prime minister but says starting today. Dion isn't sure if he's asking what would he have done or what would he do now? there's a difference.
I agree with you, there are so many retards out there that shouldn't have the right to vote. i.e. anyone that votes NDP or for Dion.
These guys are so power hungry that they would sell their mother for a chance to fuck up the country. Quebec is already starting on a renewed separation talk, all because of these assholes.
The only thing worst than liberal and NDP is that fuck head May.
Then we all go vote based on, one guy has a stupid video, one guy has funny hair and the other has a funny moustache or something. I know there are lots of people who understand and I apologize to those people for my rant. But there are a lot that dont and their votes count too. I think there should be a skill testing question on a ballot and if the question is answered wrong the ballot should be discounted.
It was a brain fart, big deal. This is very irresponsible of CTV. I aint a Dion fan, but thats not what this is about for me. For me this about how stupid crap like this has a huge impact on how our government is elected. Too the average moron this video is easy to understand. The average moron has no idea what these Politians are talking about when they are speaking intelligently. But they all find it funny when they are not.
Hold up. How is this irresponsible of CTV? Mr.Dion is a politician. His job is to present his best face to the people. If he can't even answer such a simple question repeated three times to him, (which I might add, he brought on)how can I trust him to speak in front of the UN? Obama? Jintao? Ahmadinejad? People often critize Bush for being unable to speak charismatically. This is no different. The people deserve to know who their leaders are.
It is shameful that ctv would air this. Mr. Dion's english will become much better, and I hear it he is amazing in French. Dion is substance over style. He is honest and his intentions are good. Somebody said that a lame duck has united our country while a leader divided it. Harper has proven himself to be an arrogant, self serving bully and a liar in the last week. He has lost the confidence of the house and much of Canada. I would trust Dion as prime minister over Harper any day.
this is disgusting. Disgusting that ctv would air this. Perhaps his french is far better than his english, and he is still improving his english. At least he has the best intentions for Canadians and unlike Harper he is not a self serving bully and a liar. I hope the coalition succeeds. Shame on ctv.
I think Dion would be a good image for Canada, he's a friendly guy. You don't need look like you can win in a pub fight to be a good prime minister. He can redeem Canada's anti-war status and contributer to the betterment of the world. I think it's a pity how they discredited him, actually I actually didn't like him either in the beginning until I really looked into each parties stances. BTW christ this Green Shifts is more of an Economic plan not just an Environment one where lots believe.
You would want the Block to have a veto over everything that layton and dion want?
There is no fucking way I want a fucking separatist running my county. Dion is filled with lust for power nothing more, he would sell his mother for a chance to be PM.
Harper may not be perfect but he is the best of the choices we have in front of us.
Only a retarded idiot would want this coalition for our country. Now the separatist will put the separation card back on the table.
You know what's sick I think. I don't know if you know this but dion fought for Quebec to be part of Canada so hard in the past which resulted in his heavy loss in seats in Quebec. Harper in 2004 on the other hand wanted to ally with Quebec bloc. He's a hipocritic for bashing the coalition. Besides honestly we know dion would never accept a divided Canada, it's a temperopy alliance to remove Harper. I highly doubt even Dueceppe is even planning to seperate Canada.
He got the job because other liberals had nothing. He's the only guy who has CANADA in his mind. The concertives play the game well..is it Gile's turn now?! Dion has the balls to say what he wants for this country, understands the urgency and implication of a recession for ALL canadians. What a crime!!
LEAD ON DION!! lets get this thing done!
Thanks Harper you united the right now the Left. It's a shame you couldn't unite the country. A better man will. LEAD ON DION!!!
Belinda Stronach after crossing the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals... "I cannot vote with the Bloc Quebecois." She became a Liberal because she felt Harper was siding with the Bloc. Now it's the Liberals. Where is she now?
Dioin became the leader of the liberal party because the weaker sector ganged together and thought he was the guy who was easy to manipulate. He was a disaster to the liberals. Now, he is going to be installed the PM of Canada, he will be a disaster again, but this time, to Canadians!
are we about to turn antidemocratic country like some in africa or south america... Milhouse Dion shakes hands with the devil (Duceppe) and a born looser in Layton. It was decided defore the election anyway.
Our next Prime minister: the only reason he can gain power because he works with the Bloc: a separatist party. Canadians spoke: this man is a buffoon and unfit to lead. I only hope the coalitoin fails.
true it's a hard question. but um, he answered like a 9 year old kid would have--faking not understanding, and apparently 'trying to escape or delay the question'. thats really stupid and weird.
itS true it's a hard question, but he should have been prepared for it since it's a quite obvious question, on an important issue.
I have to say I'm really embarrassed when I hear him talking; and its not a language problem as you probably noticed--no hes also retarded. I mean
I mean pronunciation is bad but he has another problem with the 'role' or cultural archetypes he'S playing/using. I don't know how to describe it, but it's like he's "retarded-elitist" lol?? I might not describe it as you would, but I know you can feel this--everyone can, I think, even if people usually only talk about his pronunciation. But theres something really really weird about Dion. Hes like disconnected from the world.
Garbage, let's ignore all the cute little language faux pas' the question was about how he would've fixed the economy, the answer was the 30/50 plan, the Liberal plan to address homelessness. An unrelated answer to a rather simple question. Yes CTV are a bunch of righty bastards, but if you ask me about the economy and I tell you about the weather, we've got a bit of a problem here. It doesn't matter anyway though, Harper got elected for better or worse. And it's Ignatief or Rae 2009.
Regardless what your political pov is, CTV is unethical by showing this. A retake is a retake and don't try to turn it into a comedy show. Respect it and don't try to prove a personal point. Don't you have the code of practice? It's embarrasingly immature for a media company to do that.
hahah, Dion is the most stupid person in the Canadian history to stand for election. he could not have answer this simple question, he could have picked any day by himself how stupid can he be.
dude, your out of your mind. steve murphy never tried to cut down dion,dion was just being childish, and now he's recognized as possibly the worst liberal leader of all time.
how the hell is that a confusing question? he could have picked a day by himself. for example he could have picked 1 year before and tell what they have done by now. he is just plane stupid not to answer that question.
I just saw this now...have read only a few comments. I think Dion's problem is simply a matter of SEMANTICS. The interviewer was REALLY asking Dion " if you were in Mr Harper's PLACE NOW", but Dion interpreted that as meaning "If you were the reigning Prime Minister" so naturally, I feel he is justified in his confusion. That is why Dion says he would have done things diferently starting 2 1/2 years ago when he would have been elected as the CURRENT PM...
Ah...man I think he did a good job here. If you consider how the interviewers statements would translate into french, it's pretty bloody confusing.
Dion is a man with a plan, but he is not a politician. Curse the media and the political system that puts people into power based on character and soundbites, and not intelligence or foresight.
Dion didn't understand if the interviewer meant "if you win the election what will you do?" and "if you were elected PM last election and been in power for 2 and a half years what would you have done?" Dion was a good man, I met him. I know he has a hearing problem, but because you cannot see his handicap - wheel chair - and the fact that he is French, which is sadly super needed as Quebec is center of our Political universe.
What happened this election? I saw and heard about how busy the polls were - 1.5 hours to pre-vote and 30 mins in the morning to vote? Lines, and even skirmishes and after all that it was a record low turn-out?
If you were Liberal leader now, what would you have done that Dion has not done?
You know, a less intellectual leader would have gotten the gist of it from context, but if you actually try to parse the question, you realize the tense forms are all garbled.
ATV and CTV, conveniently forgot the first interview Dion gave, in which Steve Murphy interrupted him excessively (much more than Jack Layton) and during which Dion responded clearly, calmly, and diplomatically in spite of Steve's many interruptions. The FIRST question of the 2nd interview was very poorly worded and Stephane was merely trying to get a clarification on the question. CTV, by showing what it promised not to, manipulated voters ("we owe it to you") and stuck it to Mr. Dion.
Dion is a Baby been three days since MR. Harper won. He stays behind his door not wanting to talk, well look at the quiter now, he was a mouthy little froggie until he was destroyed in the polls. If it wasen't for the BQ dion would have been killed
I'm french and I understand this question asking what he would have done he he had been the PM in this economic crisis (this crisis is not 2 years ago isn't it, it's right now ..duh..)
The whole point, is that just about every English speaking person would have understood the question. Dion struggled with it, and ended up looking bad. If he were to represent Canada on the world stage, he would be an embarassment. Good thing he lost the election.
hahaah what an asshole dion is...here's an idea, learn to speak and understand basic english (worded properly or not...i know 4 year olds that could make sense of that question)
big surprise liberals got their asses kicked...again Canadians picked the best available choice and we have a strong and intelligent leader !
you guys-give the guy a break- the question not worded properly in english. Plus if it were harper he would have already known what the question was because he doesn't go into an interview unless the questions are pre-screened
Geez Louise, they "owe it" to us to show us "*everything* that happened," eh? Like he strangled someone, or was doing lines of coke between questions. What torque.
Here's an alternative way he could've gotten clarification: "Listen, jackass: how about *you* tell *me* how long I'm supposed to guess you want me to imagine myself to have been Prime Minister, okay?"
Then we could have a big headline in the Globe like FURIOUS DION BLOWS TOP, NOT A LEADER SAY UNBIASED CTV EXPERTS.
That's so stupid from ctv, there question is stupid... Dion is right, do you mean 2 years ago? Because the rest would have been governed differently... Why not ask him if he were Batman, what he would have done then?
First off, I'm Liberal through and through, but even I think Dion is a bonehead. However, I would like to see Harper attempt to answer a similar question given in French. There is no way he could answer half as well as Dion did. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but when I give my word I stick by what I say, ATV should have the stones to do the same instead of pulling oppertunistic garbage like this.
this guy is a fucking joke... he could never be a leader, hell i cant even see him at a leader's conference representing canada, he cannot understand a simple question like this? something wrong with that picture. Dion is an idiot.
Exactly. The interviewer should have just said "yes." It just confused things and got way more theoretical than it needed to be. Not to mention that that's not the easiest verbal construction in English.
It proves nothing? No, it proves Dion doesn't have a clue when it comes to the economy or what this crisis is about. The question is fairly straightforward and his argument about semantics is only there to stall.
CTV should be applauded for showing the full interview for Canadians to judge for themselves and not giving in to Liberal pressure like CBC would have done.
I suppose you think CBS should not have aired the "botched" Sarah Palin interviews too?
"If you were PM now, and had been for the past 2 years." 1:34...listen to it. Dion abviously chose to ignore that to buy time. Basically if you were in Stephen Harper's shoes. Clear. Simple question. No answer. He should feel ashamed.
I don't know how you get that quote from 1:34... at 1:34 Dion asked "If I were the PM 2 and a half years ago?" and the host replied "if you were the PM right now" in a corrective tone, as if he's correcting Dion it's not 2.5 yrs ago he wants.
if you're a doctor. Another doctor performed an operation on a patient, failed, and the patient ended up in the ICU. Someone come to you and ask you "What would you have done now if you were the other doctor?" Are you suppose to answer how you're going fix the patient in ICU, or how to prevent the operation from failing? That's what Dion is trying to clarify, and the host, and his staff, is not giving it to him.
HIS STAFF EVEN TRIED TO EXPLAIN IT TO HIM. How do you explain that? Oh well she must be some con hack job too! Dion simply COULD NOT come up with an answer because he doesn't have a clue. Wow, anyone who says this was a poor question is really, really dumb and I pity how in denial you all are.
Basically he was asked, "What would YOU have done differently??
How difficult it must be ... for someone determined to pretend to not understand the question .. or for someone genuinely too stunned to understand it!
This is a nonsensical question that may make plenty of sense to someone who can throw out answers without thinking about them, but Dion is sensitive to this kind of crap and wanted more clarity on the question. Steve Murphy did not deliver that clarity.
Same thing as we had with Chretian. We cannot understand him and he cannot understand this country. Why would anyone other than a anti Harper person vote for this guy. Jesse Ventura made more sense.
It was a stupid question. "If you were prime minister TODAY, what would you have done differently BEFORE TODAY". The only correct answer would be something like "since I only became prime minister today I would not have been in a position to do anything differently before today". I don't like Dion but in this case, I'm giving him a break. The question was off and his confusion was clear and understandable. A simple re-wording of the question would have done it.
Dion is a dumbass. His whole party is corrupt and just plain retarded. Anybody who votes for him is retarded, they have no idea what Libs stand for, that is, a ridiculously lenient justice system with a leader that can't even understand a simple question.
Wake up people! Libs are lying bastards!
All they want is your vote, not your well-being.
Conservative is the way to go.
BTW fuck Dion's carbon tax and all his other taxes, how's that gonna help the economical disaster we have on our hands?
If you were Prime Minister today what would you have done? The Question is the problem and Dion wanted clarification on whether the interviewer meant Prime Minister 2 1/2 years ago what would I have done or Prime Minister today what would I do. Stupid right-wing retards mixing the past and present in a question. There's a difference between the past and the present clarify interviewer.
Dion may be a retard, but that question made no sense. "If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have already done"?!? Thats just a bad interviewer. The first thing Dion said was asking if he meant 2.5 years ago, and the idiot interviewer said no. Dion is ESL, he can't tell if the guy is talking about the past or the present.
I am thoroughly enjoying the responses to this video from people who obviously don't have a better grasp on the language than Dion does. Maybe some of you should get a dictionary and a grammar lesson before you start commenting on someone else's ability to use the language. Oh, yeah...and the shift key is just under your left pinky finger, if you care to use a capital letter.
Too true. Sadly it seems about 30% of the responses are the dummed (sic) down, no thought, reaction that Steve Murphy was going for. Similar to Fox news broadcasts.
Happily it is a lesser % than I thought, which means that at least by YouTube group CDNs are still fairly intelligent and can think before replying with a knee jerk unthought-of response.
From Trudeau to Mulroney to Chretien, a quebecor has been running this country for 35 of the last 40 years. They've had their time. Vote ABQ...anything but quebecor.
What the hell aren't you getting? The Con hack job was self-contradicting. ATV formulated it (I REFUSE to accept by accident) such as to trick Dion into accept a hypothetical situation in which he must TAKE THE BLAME for the crappy, job-losing, verge-of-deficit CON economy we're now stuck in.
"If you are the PM right now, what would you have already done?" Huh?
And they say DION mangles English? That was ON PURPOSE. CON. HACK. JOB.
"STARTING NOW" but "Not [...] starting now," what would PM DION "HAVE" done (in the past), that President Steve DIDN'T do (up to now) in order to fix the CONS' MESS (squandering government surpluses, cutting revenues, implementing inane neo-con economic policies)?
"Not on Tuesday, not [2.5] years ago," but "NOW," at which point would PM DION "have" stopped implementing inane neo-con economic policies?
"Hypothetically" pinning Con economic mismanagement on "PM DION" = CON HACK JOB.
It was not a hard question, a toddler could have understood it. "If you were prime minister NOW." At this moment! Not on Tuesday, not two and a half years ago. NOW. What would you have done that he hasn't? Wow, anyone running for PM should be able to put that together and answer. Come on.
This clip is hilarious. Dion laughs at how ridiculously flawed the question is (2:51):
"I'm sorry. If I was the Prime Minister STARTING WHEN?"
He restrains himself from calling Steve a "moron," or a "dumbass," or a "Con Tool" for trying to trick him into taking "hypothetical" responsibility for Steve's squandering of the surplus.
That way the interviewer doesn't need to hear his guest point out how insipid American neo-conservative economic policies caused the mess North America's in today.
Officially, as anyone can see, the question is unintelligent. Regardless who wrote it, the sentence completely lacks specificity and embarrasses the interviewer. Anyone who thinks about it will realize - as Dion did instantly - the question is logically-flawed. Just try to put in other words. Post it.
I think ATV should have been a bit more cautious. I for one will never appear AGAIN on ATV when they call me looking for an interview. I know it is different for a political candidate however having been interviewed in the past (for my professional opinion) and when understanding the question (because of the poor wording) I was promised that the the blurb would not be broadcasted... I no longer trust ATV.
Steve was giving a phone call before the interviw and was aked to make Dion look bad. Steve did a good job, Was Steven paid for this or will he get a job like his co -worker did., I oper herd staff talking about it at Tim horton today. Tim' is neart the Ctv in halifax
"If you were PM TODAY, what WOULD YOU HAVE DONE...?"
Wait, if I were PM today, I wouldn't have done anything yet because I just became PM. Clever trick question there. If you think Dion is dumb for not understanding the question, maybe you should be an English scholar, because THAT QUESTION MAKES NO FUCKING SENSE.
It is common practice to restart interviews when they are what is called "Look Live". ATV obviously wants people to see Dion's confusion over a question that is asked in present and past tenses... an error form the host. "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done..." should have been, "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you DO..." The host has asked a confusing question. Perhaps he should post some of his own out-takes so we can see his mistakes????
It's really quite clear that Dion does not have a clear plan... be it a 30 day, 50, or 80...) even today, the last day before election, he spends his time calling Stephen Harper a liar...
Dion should be spending his day telling Canadians what it is he (Dion) CAN DO to protect the Canadian enonomy, our money and so forth, but no, he doesn't... he avoids that with accusations and smoke screens.
What IS IT Liberals that Dion CAN DO for Canadians?
that's ridiculous to decide not to vote for him based on this clip. Watch it again--Dion himself tries to clarify the question to the interviewer and the guy indicates that no that's not what I asked and re-asks the poorly phrased question again.
To those seriously suggesting that if the question had been,'If you were"the" prime minister now...'instead of the actual question,'if you were prime minister now...'that Mr. Dion would not of misunderstood it, I submit that if the exclusion of"the" leads to such confusion for Mr.Dion he is not prime minister material.A PM has to have better than an elementary knowledge of the English language.
Yes, the question might not have been 100% clear, but if he ever became PM (yikes!), he would often have to act based on incomplete and sometimes even incorrect information; he won't always have everything handed to him clean and precise on a silver platter.
Dion's trouble with this question has nothing to do with not being able to speak English.The question isn't clear.He wants Dion to explain what he would do if he could become PM right now and then go back in time to succeed where Harper failed.Murphy could also mean"If you got elected what would you do about the economy now?"Present tense.Murphy is actually trying to ask"If you had been prime minister,rather than Harper,what would you have done about the economy?"Past tense.Learn English Steve!
schoolkate: Don't reprimand Murphy for his English skills. The question was immaculate and simple English: "what would you have done" - that is NOT past tense. It is VERY clearly a subjunctive "if you were" connected to a "have done" which is a future perfect.
I have several young sisters who could explain the difference between past and future perfect tense in either French or English. If you can't see the difference, maybe you need to go back to school, kate? ;)
This question is like asking, if you lived in the white house now, what would you have done about watergate. That is a jumble of past and present tense. but aside from that, no one should be voting based on the way someone talks. Also, Harper wasn't exactly a fluent french either but no one seems to mind that. To be PM you must be bilingual. If Harper had to run a majority french speaking campaign he would be up the creek.
No it's like asking: "If you were buying sirloin at the store TODAY, would you have it ground up, chopped up or have it done differently?"
"have it done" and "chopped up" are not past tense. It is perfect tense. Perfect present, perfect future, it doesn't matter: Murphy actually left it open-ended for Dion, because it was a softball question.
Stop trying to force the perfect form of the verb "to do" into the past!!! It's happy as a present perfect! haha
you're funny. ok, you win. I say meh, harper doesn't get majority government anyway and even if Dion is out at least now he has bob rae and mike ignatieff (sp??) to answer to. That makes me feel a bit better. Now I can sleep at night. I just don't understand why they couldn't just all work together from the start. Have a good day. :)
I'm honestly Liberal all the way. Just because he messed up with one question... everyone makes a big deal. It's like saying Harper shouldnt be P.M because of the Katz Jokes about the sickness thing. People are blowing it out of proportion.
Shame on CTV, it does not matter what the topic was. For years ATV/CTV has boasted being #1, the news you can "trust" and "depend on" in Atlantic Canada. Mr.Murphy has been around news at ATV long enough to know that he gave his word. However, I would bet anything it was a decision made some corporate executive bean counters not in touch with what the value of credible news is supposed to be. Canadians should really send comments to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and/or the CRTC.
I love reading the comments by people saying CTV shouldn't have shown the interview...Sorry my communist friends, but we live in a free country where our politicians are actually held accountable by the media (except for the Red Star) for the views and actions.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This is just embarrassing for CTV to play. The network is basically a bunch of paparazzi style reporters trying to make inflate something small into a huge scandal. I don't support the conservatives or the liberals but I feel bad for Dion. THis is just sad of the tv stations that they would sink this low, again.
as a canadian, i'm glad CTV showed this video, we have every right to see how stupid a candidate is. Not everything has to be sugar coated for us. If the guy truly is a moron, i want to know. I dont feel bad for him at all.
Mr. Dion may not have understood the first time the question was posed even though the question is very straight-forward that any average Canadian can comprehend.
Before the second try, it is obvious that he knows the question but does not have an answer and attempted to buy time to formulate an answer.
After the third try, the worst was that he never answered the question (see other clips). He essentially said as PM of the day, he would need 30 days to consult with economist.
So lets see...JC was a total embarrassnent every time he opened his mouth.Martin was a proven criminal and should of done time over the tainted blood scandel.Graham was a boy lover that was exposed and had to quit.And now you wanted us to vote for el weirdo in Dion.Whats next,a guy who been out of the country for 30years in Iggy.?.Ummmm...face it liberals,your jig is up.The right to govern days are over in this country,
stranger338 2 years ago
Has the fact that a PROVINCIAL party is running in a FEDERAL election grabbed your attention?
3% of the Canadian popluation OUTSIDE of Quebec speaks French as a first language. And one point that is more important, PQ has every intention of working with their own provincial agenda and not a national agenda. When the two agendas conflict, PQ agenda will favor Quebec.
Is this what you want for a party running Canada?
IMHO, PQ in federal government amounts to treason.
dredtaur 2 years ago
Prior to Harper, Canada was known worldwide as humanitarians. We provide MORE aid per capita then do Americans. NOT ONCE since 9-11 have Taliban threatened 'THE WEST' as Bush had inferred. And ONLY AFTER Harper signed Canadians up for the NATO invasion in Afghanistan has Canada become a target of terrorism.
While Canada SHOULD be in Afghanistan, it should ONLY be under the UN Security Council/ Forces and NOT under NATO. Harper has made all Canadians targets of terrorism.
dredtaur 2 years ago
LOLOLOL!!! I can't believe 28% of Canadians actually voted for this guy and his Party!
section118mang 2 years ago
wat doesnt he understand... -__-
Eibnac 2 years ago
Okay, so they tell Dion that he has to pretend he's been PM since Harper took office (which was 2.5 yrs at the time). Dion says "oh, okay, since 2.5 yrs ago then..." and they say no, even though that was the correct amount of time. if ctv had their facts straight, he wouldn't have gotten so confused.
SanityEndsHere 2 years ago
im glad we didnt have another french guy as prime minister they are so dumb and stupid i mean just look at him anybody else would have got the question evn a american could answer that quebec needs to leave canada some how they give us a bad name i hate the french
gcube1 2 years ago
Not this one... unfortunately for you... et je parles le français aussi.
moosewelch 2 years ago
I fuckin' hate them too!
PhatChick722 2 years ago
Listen, I worked in TV News. Mistakes and bullshit like this happen all the time. They're left on the cutting room floor. The only reason that they "upon reflection," decided to air this, is because Mike Duffy heard about it.
somewhatlongdong 2 years ago
Is he deaf?
Buarawng 2 years ago 2
Actually yes, he is.
llehman84 2 years ago
hes not deaf i think your blind
gcube1 2 years ago
It's not ATV it's CTV!! LOL
Freakishd 3 years ago
ATV atlantic televison CTV canadian televison atv is for the maritimes like pei ns and nb your not from canada are you? or else you would have known that
gcube1 2 years ago
Uh...actually I AM from Canada! I just siad it was CTV because it says on the bottom right corner
Freakishd 2 years ago
i dont see why people are so worked up over a hypothetical question, it's so fucking stupid. it isn't that Dion wasn't able to answer about the economy, it was that he wasn't able to understand the question. i can't believe the way politics are viewed these days, no wonder this world is so fucked.
xstreetfighterx 3 years ago
A PM who can't understand basic english...holy shit. This is what libfags actually want.
2012MUSTANG 3 years ago
Pure idiot.
mmmikeey 3 years ago
Why is it that everyone blames Steve Murphy for a poorly phrased, yet understandable question, when Stephan Dion makes errors in grammar all the time and often cannot be understood? Shouldn't the leader of the Liberals speak both national languages? And it was not Steve Murphy who decided to air the tape. Mr. Murphy is a great man who has helped to raise millions of dollars for families at Christmas and contributes to maritime communities in many ways.
FoxTreatment 3 years ago 2
I fully agree with you FoxTreatement,someone who wants to run for leadership in Canada SHOULD be able to speak both language fluently,but tell that to the french,they're only going to be insulted and say it's an injustice like they always say.
Radnick7 2 years ago
The problem is with the interviewer's poorly phrased question: "If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have done?" When? That's what Dion's asked. Pick one: "If you were Prime Minister since... what would you have done?" or "If you are elected Prime Minister today, what would you do?" Dion's right on the money. Sorry, but the ESL courses should be taken by the reporter...
dgpiche 3 years ago
The interviewer is asking the question poorly. "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done." Pick one: "If you were Prime Minister since... what would you have done?" or "If you are elected Prime Minister now, what would you do now?"
Dion's right on the mark asking for clarification.
dgpiche 3 years ago
Okay, you're prime minister since... exactly now. What you'll have done for the economy?
Nothing. You're prime minister since two seconds.
Slopies 3 years ago
I am not the supporter of Mr. Dion but I want to comment in favor of Mr. Dion:
Here the problem was begun by the foolish reporter. The stupid one here was STEVE THE STUPID AND ARROGANT REPORTER. His question was very general and Mr. Dion needed the right to understand the specific interval. He needed to know since when? Okay, may be Mr. Dion did a little mistake because the question was if you were prime minister now what would you have done that Harper have not done. Continued
pukowlumo 3 years ago 5
The fault lies with the interviewer for being perfectly incapable of forming a coherent, and grammatically correct question. People who learn English as a second language have a higher understanding of the grammar laws, and so Dion was justified in clarifying a question which was badly phrased and contained contradicting verb tenses.
KiwiManoCornuta 3 years ago 4
Take some ESL classes asshole Dion
Winston2004 3 years ago
pathetic...just do him a favor, shoot him in the head and bury this retard!
TheDancingRomeo 3 years ago
To be fair to Dion... the question was a double entrenched abstract hypothetical question. In English... it would be a touch question to answer... but given he doesn't speak English.. I don't feel it's fair.
Fair is fair. I am a Conservative and support Harper fully. But I feel sorry for Mr. Dion here. It's painful.
Lucidboomer 3 years ago
hey chipp you can't blame dion's lack of undertsanding on the way the question was worded. Yes we do have two official languages but if you want to be prime minister you can't speak one exclusive of the other. I said it when he first came on the scene and I say it again now, Dion can't speak english and should not be leader of any party other than the bloc quebecois. I do not want a leader who can't understand me when I'm speaking the official language.
Yakemchuk 3 years ago
Dion is the biggest TOOL in the parliament
SoilentGr33n 3 years ago
Hello? The question was worded atrociously. If he was not a reporter today, what would he have done yesterday?
chipp768 3 years ago
Dion is an idiot this is just another prime example!
As are the other members of the Liberal party. They lost power a few years ago and now they will do everything to steal it back - MOFO Dion, you are going down big time on the next election with your buddy Jack Layton and the NDP crappers. I can hardly wait to vote yet again........
nickav1 3 years ago
Liberals have not grasped that when a nation dies,that nations culture and institutions always perish with it.When European-Canadian people finally become an ethnic minority in this land sometime in the future,and our grip is pried from the levers of power through sheer weight of demography,the values of the Liberal elite will be swept away by the monster they have themselves created.
Conservative or liberal, either way we're skrewed.
Flabergaz 3 years ago
Rae and Ignatief: "Hey Stephane, what a brilliant idea! A covert relationship with the party who's first tenet is to break up the country. Now you go on out there and sell it to the people..."
RSoleNmbr1 3 years ago
Not good enough to lead the liberal party. But good enough to run the country. Party first and country LAST. Rot in hell Dion!
ITHEREONETHATHASNT 3 years ago
Fuck'n RETARD! DION.... Ur an Idiot.. My 5th grader can run this country better that you! MORON!!!!
Zteve28 3 years ago
He needs ESL classes
Winston2004 3 years ago
Totally.
handsontheradio 3 years ago
Wow- if only this guy could become our PM- all of our problems would be solved...
What a joke- Dion should stick to Sociology or whatever it was he taught in Quebec.
albertagael 3 years ago
Wow! Imagine a french person trying to get into an american box of cereal. That would be a youtube video worth watching!
zebrastriper1 3 years ago
Dion is the biggest idiot in Canadian political history. Layton and the NDP come in at a very close second.
doodadwhatnot 3 years ago
Canada is a bilingual country. Both English and French are official languages, and we are privileged to operate in both. That Mr. Dion does not yet speak perfect English is not a reflection of his intellect OR leadership capabilities. All of the MPS have a working knowledge of English- whether they are in the Bloq, Conservative, Liberal or NDP. Yet, not all of them have a working knowledge of French.Why do Canadians tolerate and un-Canadian double standard?
Pristups 3 years ago
I believe that what we see here is a product of a language barrier and not an indication of his abilities as prime minister, and a questions leaves room for confustion. I will admit that not having a extremely solid grasp on the english language is a problem, but it is not grounds for insulting liberal ideologies or making discriminatory comments against the french.
iwannaseeratedclips 3 years ago
This is crazy...next thing Sarah Palin is going to fucking start a canadian political takeover. These fucking frogs have always been idiots...let them separate.
elwayxxxii 3 years ago
LOL. Thats what i call a french citizen
whiteaasian 3 years ago
I don't think Dion would make for a goof prime minister and I'm very happy with the job the Harper is doing as the current prime minister...with that being said...to be fair to Dion...the question being asked was kind of confusing...I mean I get what was trying to be asked but the wording was wrong. He's asking what would Dion have done if he was prime minister but says starting today. Dion isn't sure if he's asking what would he have done or what would he do now? there's a difference.
80sCartoonsRock 3 years ago
I agree with you, there are so many retards out there that shouldn't have the right to vote. i.e. anyone that votes NDP or for Dion.
These guys are so power hungry that they would sell their mother for a chance to fuck up the country. Quebec is already starting on a renewed separation talk, all because of these assholes.
The only thing worst than liberal and NDP is that fuck head May.
peakyone 3 years ago
Then we all go vote based on, one guy has a stupid video, one guy has funny hair and the other has a funny moustache or something. I know there are lots of people who understand and I apologize to those people for my rant. But there are a lot that dont and their votes count too. I think there should be a skill testing question on a ballot and if the question is answered wrong the ballot should be discounted.
tomytots 3 years ago
It was a brain fart, big deal. This is very irresponsible of CTV. I aint a Dion fan, but thats not what this is about for me. For me this about how stupid crap like this has a huge impact on how our government is elected. Too the average moron this video is easy to understand. The average moron has no idea what these Politians are talking about when they are speaking intelligently. But they all find it funny when they are not.
tomytots 3 years ago
Hold up. How is this irresponsible of CTV? Mr.Dion is a politician. His job is to present his best face to the people. If he can't even answer such a simple question repeated three times to him, (which I might add, he brought on)how can I trust him to speak in front of the UN? Obama? Jintao? Ahmadinejad? People often critize Bush for being unable to speak charismatically. This is no different. The people deserve to know who their leaders are.
NeVeRMoRe66 3 years ago
It is shameful that ctv would air this. Mr. Dion's english will become much better, and I hear it he is amazing in French. Dion is substance over style. He is honest and his intentions are good. Somebody said that a lame duck has united our country while a leader divided it. Harper has proven himself to be an arrogant, self serving bully and a liar in the last week. He has lost the confidence of the house and much of Canada. I would trust Dion as prime minister over Harper any day.
Jenchens 3 years ago
this is disgusting. Disgusting that ctv would air this. Perhaps his french is far better than his english, and he is still improving his english. At least he has the best intentions for Canadians and unlike Harper he is not a self serving bully and a liar. I hope the coalition succeeds. Shame on ctv.
Jenchens 3 years ago
I think Dion would be a good image for Canada, he's a friendly guy. You don't need look like you can win in a pub fight to be a good prime minister. He can redeem Canada's anti-war status and contributer to the betterment of the world. I think it's a pity how they discredited him, actually I actually didn't like him either in the beginning until I really looked into each parties stances. BTW christ this Green Shifts is more of an Economic plan not just an Environment one where lots believe.
youbooyou 3 years ago
You are really stupid!!!!!
You would want the Block to have a veto over everything that layton and dion want?
There is no fucking way I want a fucking separatist running my county. Dion is filled with lust for power nothing more, he would sell his mother for a chance to be PM.
Harper may not be perfect but he is the best of the choices we have in front of us.
Only a retarded idiot would want this coalition for our country. Now the separatist will put the separation card back on the table.
peakyone 3 years ago
Dion wants to be prime minister in a coalition, including separatists, Scary. Not my kind of Canada...
ram8108 3 years ago
You know what's sick I think. I don't know if you know this but dion fought for Quebec to be part of Canada so hard in the past which resulted in his heavy loss in seats in Quebec. Harper in 2004 on the other hand wanted to ally with Quebec bloc. He's a hipocritic for bashing the coalition. Besides honestly we know dion would never accept a divided Canada, it's a temperopy alliance to remove Harper. I highly doubt even Dueceppe is even planning to seperate Canada.
youbooyou 3 years ago
Tabarnak!! Je peux pas croire que c'est ça notre prochain Premier ministre!
Absinthe16 3 years ago
Hell Yes Dion!!
He got the job because other liberals had nothing. He's the only guy who has CANADA in his mind. The concertives play the game well..is it Gile's turn now?! Dion has the balls to say what he wants for this country, understands the urgency and implication of a recession for ALL canadians. What a crime!!
LEAD ON DION!! lets get this thing done!
Thanks Harper you united the right now the Left. It's a shame you couldn't unite the country. A better man will. LEAD ON DION!!!
leaflessbranch33 3 years ago
Belinda Stronach after crossing the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals... "I cannot vote with the Bloc Quebecois." She became a Liberal because she felt Harper was siding with the Bloc. Now it's the Liberals. Where is she now?
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
More like Dion is the only guy with COMMUNISM in mind! Nothing less than an ELECTION will do for Canada. Down with Dion.
Tilbily 3 years ago
Dioin became the leader of the liberal party because the weaker sector ganged together and thought he was the guy who was easy to manipulate. He was a disaster to the liberals. Now, he is going to be installed the PM of Canada, he will be a disaster again, but this time, to Canadians!
BenGariel 3 years ago
are we about to turn antidemocratic country like some in africa or south america... Milhouse Dion shakes hands with the devil (Duceppe) and a born looser in Layton. It was decided defore the election anyway.
parafino67 3 years ago
Our next Prime minister: the only reason he can gain power because he works with the Bloc: a separatist party. Canadians spoke: this man is a buffoon and unfit to lead. I only hope the coalitoin fails.
djwright44 3 years ago
Now, this guy is trying again to take the power. Are we going to live with Prime Minister Steven Dion?
BenGariel 3 years ago
Fuck no
C8622 3 years ago
omg i saw this live on tv and laughed and laughed i was going to get my camera but it was to late ... lol
Combatarms423 3 years ago
this is the moment where Stephane Dion's political career died
grahamnoyes 3 years ago
I'm kinda with Dion on this one
It was kinda tricky.. because conextually one would expect .. became PM now forwards(since he is a potential would be PM)
The reporter then indicates he is okay to restart .. thereby comforting Dion to let loose and clarify
I think they kinda suckered Dion into this one
I would like to commend all three major candidates for running for election however
sundaybrunch 3 years ago
true it's a hard question. but um, he answered like a 9 year old kid would have--faking not understanding, and apparently 'trying to escape or delay the question'. thats really stupid and weird.
itS true it's a hard question, but he should have been prepared for it since it's a quite obvious question, on an important issue.
I have to say I'm really embarrassed when I hear him talking; and its not a language problem as you probably noticed--no hes also retarded. I mean
Animalll2003lll 3 years ago
I mean pronunciation is bad but he has another problem with the 'role' or cultural archetypes he'S playing/using. I don't know how to describe it, but it's like he's "retarded-elitist" lol?? I might not describe it as you would, but I know you can feel this--everyone can, I think, even if people usually only talk about his pronunciation. But theres something really really weird about Dion. Hes like disconnected from the world.
Animalll2003lll 3 years ago
Garbage, let's ignore all the cute little language faux pas' the question was about how he would've fixed the economy, the answer was the 30/50 plan, the Liberal plan to address homelessness. An unrelated answer to a rather simple question. Yes CTV are a bunch of righty bastards, but if you ask me about the economy and I tell you about the weather, we've got a bit of a problem here. It doesn't matter anyway though, Harper got elected for better or worse. And it's Ignatief or Rae 2009.
marijumanji 3 years ago
Regardless what your political pov is, CTV is unethical by showing this. A retake is a retake and don't try to turn it into a comedy show. Respect it and don't try to prove a personal point. Don't you have the code of practice? It's embarrasingly immature for a media company to do that.
carjeaux 3 years ago
well. maybe you're right. but he's retarded, unfortunately.
Animalll2003lll 3 years ago
hahah, Dion is the most stupid person in the Canadian history to stand for election. he could not have answer this simple question, he could have picked any day by himself how stupid can he be.
warkilledown 3 years ago 2
obviously not.
Andurp 3 years ago
Steve Murphy and ATV are an anthem for the corporate media agenda in Canada. THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!
This type of smear campaign on non-conservative candidates is no surprise, especially considering that CTV also owns Maclean's magazine.
BCD345 3 years ago
dude, your out of your mind. steve murphy never tried to cut down dion,dion was just being childish, and now he's recognized as possibly the worst liberal leader of all time.
So there.
TeenageDregon 3 years ago
This reporter is an idiot! Dion as for a clarification and the reporter was incredibly confusing.
CTV is losing some of it's ethics regarding their politics. It's some guy who wants to advance his career.
backpacker905 3 years ago 3
AGREE. A very confusing question , unfair to DIon
maydom04 3 years ago 2
how the hell is that a confusing question? he could have picked a day by himself. for example he could have picked 1 year before and tell what they have done by now. he is just plane stupid not to answer that question.
warkilledown 3 years ago
Yes, he could have picked a day himself, but he wanted to know exactly what day or time the interviewer was refering to.
maydom04 3 years ago
I just saw this now...have read only a few comments. I think Dion's problem is simply a matter of SEMANTICS. The interviewer was REALLY asking Dion " if you were in Mr Harper's PLACE NOW", but Dion interpreted that as meaning "If you were the reigning Prime Minister" so naturally, I feel he is justified in his confusion. That is why Dion says he would have done things diferently starting 2 1/2 years ago when he would have been elected as the CURRENT PM...
maydom04 3 years ago 3
Ah...man I think he did a good job here. If you consider how the interviewers statements would translate into french, it's pretty bloody confusing.
Dion is a man with a plan, but he is not a politician. Curse the media and the political system that puts people into power based on character and soundbites, and not intelligence or foresight.
willmattwood 3 years ago
Dion didn't understand if the interviewer meant "if you win the election what will you do?" and "if you were elected PM last election and been in power for 2 and a half years what would you have done?" Dion was a good man, I met him. I know he has a hearing problem, but because you cannot see his handicap - wheel chair - and the fact that he is French, which is sadly super needed as Quebec is center of our Political universe.
90210bt 3 years ago
What happened this election? I saw and heard about how busy the polls were - 1.5 hours to pre-vote and 30 mins in the morning to vote? Lines, and even skirmishes and after all that it was a record low turn-out?
90210bt 3 years ago
If you were Liberal leader now, what would you have done that Dion has not done?
You know, a less intellectual leader would have gotten the gist of it from context, but if you actually try to parse the question, you realize the tense forms are all garbled.
rodionx 3 years ago
ATV and CTV, conveniently forgot the first interview Dion gave, in which Steve Murphy interrupted him excessively (much more than Jack Layton) and during which Dion responded clearly, calmly, and diplomatically in spite of Steve's many interruptions. The FIRST question of the 2nd interview was very poorly worded and Stephane was merely trying to get a clarification on the question. CTV, by showing what it promised not to, manipulated voters ("we owe it to you") and stuck it to Mr. Dion.
vwooom 3 years ago
Dion is a Baby been three days since MR. Harper won. He stays behind his door not wanting to talk, well look at the quiter now, he was a mouthy little froggie until he was destroyed in the polls. If it wasen't for the BQ dion would have been killed
ryanjaskiewicz 3 years ago
I'm french and I understand this question asking what he would have done he he had been the PM in this economic crisis (this crisis is not 2 years ago isn't it, it's right now ..duh..)
cooljob9 3 years ago
The whole point, is that just about every English speaking person would have understood the question. Dion struggled with it, and ended up looking bad. If he were to represent Canada on the world stage, he would be an embarassment. Good thing he lost the election.
LukeSchenn2 3 years ago
hahaah what an asshole dion is...here's an idea, learn to speak and understand basic english (worded properly or not...i know 4 year olds that could make sense of that question)
big surprise liberals got their asses kicked...again Canadians picked the best available choice and we have a strong and intelligent leader !
PAMPJUICE 3 years ago
Is it really very intelligent for a leader, trained as an economist, to suggest Canadians should buy stocks during market plunges?
bronze101010101 3 years ago
you guys-give the guy a break- the question not worded properly in english. Plus if it were harper he would have already known what the question was because he doesn't go into an interview unless the questions are pre-screened
stevehowatt 3 years ago
This clueless Dion has shown his true colours.
TheTruthHurtsYou 3 years ago
oh what a surprise, the media manipulating the content of an interview, never seen that before...really...never.....
zolagol 3 years ago
Geez Louise, they "owe it" to us to show us "*everything* that happened," eh? Like he strangled someone, or was doing lines of coke between questions. What torque.
Here's an alternative way he could've gotten clarification: "Listen, jackass: how about *you* tell *me* how long I'm supposed to guess you want me to imagine myself to have been Prime Minister, okay?"
Then we could have a big headline in the Globe like FURIOUS DION BLOWS TOP, NOT A LEADER SAY UNBIASED CTV EXPERTS.
EricSSmith 3 years ago
I have gained so much respect for CTV from this. They've got balls!
westaj1 3 years ago
Yeah english isn't his strong suit , but it should at least be up to par if he wants to be a leader let alone prime minister.
davidnumber 3 years ago
That's so stupid from ctv, there question is stupid... Dion is right, do you mean 2 years ago? Because the rest would have been governed differently... Why not ask him if he were Batman, what he would have done then?
chromaphone 3 years ago
he answered he said he wanted world goverment one world financial system just what he should say because he's a globalist!
tucanchew32 3 years ago
I would buy tickets to any of your being interviewed in French :)
backofhouseadmin 3 years ago
MORON. How the hell did this guy get chosen as liberal leader???
davidnumber 3 years ago
First off, I'm Liberal through and through, but even I think Dion is a bonehead. However, I would like to see Harper attempt to answer a similar question given in French. There is no way he could answer half as well as Dion did. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but when I give my word I stick by what I say, ATV should have the stones to do the same instead of pulling oppertunistic garbage like this.
c24peach 3 years ago
this guy is a fucking joke... he could never be a leader, hell i cant even see him at a leader's conference representing canada, he cannot understand a simple question like this? something wrong with that picture. Dion is an idiot.
jawshb 3 years ago 2
When Dion said "2.5 years ago?" the interviewer should've just said "yes" but he's like "right now" which is practically next tuesday anyways.
It was a stupid question and CTV should be ashamed for airing botched interviews because it proves nothing.
mrwhopee 3 years ago
Exactly. The interviewer should have just said "yes." It just confused things and got way more theoretical than it needed to be. Not to mention that that's not the easiest verbal construction in English.
dewiniaeth 3 years ago
It proves nothing? No, it proves Dion doesn't have a clue when it comes to the economy or what this crisis is about. The question is fairly straightforward and his argument about semantics is only there to stall.
CTV should be applauded for showing the full interview for Canadians to judge for themselves and not giving in to Liberal pressure like CBC would have done.
I suppose you think CBS should not have aired the "botched" Sarah Palin interviews too?
Smith36783 3 years ago 5
woah there, nice come back.
Andurp 3 years ago
Yes, Canada does have its share of red necks too... shame...
quirkygal8 3 years ago
when did mr rodgers leave the friendly neighborhood and join politics?
VedderX 3 years ago
"If you were PM now, and had been for the past 2 years." 1:34...listen to it. Dion abviously chose to ignore that to buy time. Basically if you were in Stephen Harper's shoes. Clear. Simple question. No answer. He should feel ashamed.
Andurp 3 years ago 5
I don't know how you get that quote from 1:34... at 1:34 Dion asked "If I were the PM 2 and a half years ago?" and the host replied "if you were the PM right now" in a corrective tone, as if he's correcting Dion it's not 2.5 yrs ago he wants.
woodstock827 3 years ago
listen closely.. it's drowned out by Dion interrupting, but he says it.
Andurp 3 years ago
HELLO...!!! Does he even understand English? Or economy?...
rogertrucker 3 years ago
by da jesus, the first year I gets to vote and look at da whiz kids I gets to choose from, oh canada
RockinThePlains 3 years ago
if you're a doctor. Another doctor performed an operation on a patient, failed, and the patient ended up in the ICU. Someone come to you and ask you "What would you have done now if you were the other doctor?" Are you suppose to answer how you're going fix the patient in ICU, or how to prevent the operation from failing? That's what Dion is trying to clarify, and the host, and his staff, is not giving it to him.
woodstock827 3 years ago
holy crap, reading these comments backing up Dion, you must have all gone to or be going to the same fucking teacher, nimrods
RockinThePlains 3 years ago 2
HIS STAFF EVEN TRIED TO EXPLAIN IT TO HIM. How do you explain that? Oh well she must be some con hack job too! Dion simply COULD NOT come up with an answer because he doesn't have a clue. Wow, anyone who says this was a poor question is really, really dumb and I pity how in denial you all are.
Andurp 3 years ago 3
Basically he was asked, "What would YOU have done differently??
How difficult it must be ... for someone determined to pretend to not understand the question .. or for someone genuinely too stunned to understand it!
Submishkin 3 years ago
This is a nonsensical question that may make plenty of sense to someone who can throw out answers without thinking about them, but Dion is sensitive to this kind of crap and wanted more clarity on the question. Steve Murphy did not deliver that clarity.
rjeffnadeau 3 years ago
Same thing as we had with Chretian. We cannot understand him and he cannot understand this country. Why would anyone other than a anti Harper person vote for this guy. Jesse Ventura made more sense.
ss396rip 3 years ago
It was a stupid question. "If you were prime minister TODAY, what would you have done differently BEFORE TODAY". The only correct answer would be something like "since I only became prime minister today I would not have been in a position to do anything differently before today". I don't like Dion but in this case, I'm giving him a break. The question was off and his confusion was clear and understandable. A simple re-wording of the question would have done it.
moreuser 3 years ago
Dion is a dumbass. His whole party is corrupt and just plain retarded. Anybody who votes for him is retarded, they have no idea what Libs stand for, that is, a ridiculously lenient justice system with a leader that can't even understand a simple question.
Wake up people! Libs are lying bastards!
All they want is your vote, not your well-being.
Conservative is the way to go.
BTW fuck Dion's carbon tax and all his other taxes, how's that gonna help the economical disaster we have on our hands?
MuikJuaggre 3 years ago
If you were Prime Minister today what would you have done? The Question is the problem and Dion wanted clarification on whether the interviewer meant Prime Minister 2 1/2 years ago what would I have done or Prime Minister today what would I do. Stupid right-wing retards mixing the past and present in a question. There's a difference between the past and the present clarify interviewer.
PierreElliottTrudeau 3 years ago
Dion may be a retard, but that question made no sense. "If you were Prime Minister today, what would you have already done"?!? Thats just a bad interviewer. The first thing Dion said was asking if he meant 2.5 years ago, and the idiot interviewer said no. Dion is ESL, he can't tell if the guy is talking about the past or the present.
uzername72 3 years ago
We expect this shmuck to forulate policy,and he can't comprehend a question repeated 3 fricken times?
He was sitting 2 feet away and he says he couldn't hear him?.......gimme a frickin break
kissed61 3 years ago 6
I am thoroughly enjoying the responses to this video from people who obviously don't have a better grasp on the language than Dion does. Maybe some of you should get a dictionary and a grammar lesson before you start commenting on someone else's ability to use the language. Oh, yeah...and the shift key is just under your left pinky finger, if you care to use a capital letter.
andigirl68 3 years ago
Too true. Sadly it seems about 30% of the responses are the dummed (sic) down, no thought, reaction that Steve Murphy was going for. Similar to Fox news broadcasts.
Happily it is a lesser % than I thought, which means that at least by YouTube group CDNs are still fairly intelligent and can think before replying with a knee jerk unthought-of response.
shanghaitheory 3 years ago
From Trudeau to Mulroney to Chretien, a quebecor has been running this country for 35 of the last 40 years. They've had their time. Vote ABQ...anything but quebecor.
crazy10bears 3 years ago 2
Dion is retarded. Anyone who votes for him is retarded. This dumb-ass could not lead a horse to water unles of course it was retarded.
The Liberal Party is corrupt, only the insane and corrupt would vote for him. He is a lying corrupt bastered.
hilltownhun2008 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
LOL.
And 3:20 is GOLD. I love that guy.
VOTE LIBERAL.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
THESE are plain & simple questions that should be answered by anyone running for PM:
- How WILL you fix the economy?
- What HASN'T your opponent done?
CON HACK JOBS like this one deserve EXACTLY Dion's reaction at 2:50 - LOVE HIM for it!
Vote Liberal.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
What the hell aren't you getting? The Con hack job was self-contradicting. ATV formulated it (I REFUSE to accept by accident) such as to trick Dion into accept a hypothetical situation in which he must TAKE THE BLAME for the crappy, job-losing, verge-of-deficit CON economy we're now stuck in.
"If you are the PM right now, what would you have already done?" Huh?
And they say DION mangles English? That was ON PURPOSE. CON. HACK. JOB.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
What on earth are you blabbering on about? The question was simple and should be answered by anyone in that position. Plain and simple.
Andurp 3 years ago 4
LOL.
"STARTING NOW" but "Not [...] starting now," what would PM DION "HAVE" done (in the past), that President Steve DIDN'T do (up to now) in order to fix the CONS' MESS (squandering government surpluses, cutting revenues, implementing inane neo-con economic policies)?
"Not on Tuesday, not [2.5] years ago," but "NOW," at which point would PM DION "have" stopped implementing inane neo-con economic policies?
"Hypothetically" pinning Con economic mismanagement on "PM DION" = CON HACK JOB.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
One of Dion's people even tried to explain it. It wasn't the interviewer, because someone else tried to get it through to him. Still. No answer.
Andurp 3 years ago 4
It was not a hard question, a toddler could have understood it. "If you were prime minister NOW." At this moment! Not on Tuesday, not two and a half years ago. NOW. What would you have done that he hasn't? Wow, anyone running for PM should be able to put that together and answer. Come on.
Andurp 3 years ago 2
This is obviously a jack job.
I'm RELIEVED Dion didn't go along with this.
ATV: exposed.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
Lol... HACK JOB.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
This clip is hilarious. Dion laughs at how ridiculously flawed the question is (2:51):
"I'm sorry. If I was the Prime Minister STARTING WHEN?"
He restrains himself from calling Steve a "moron," or a "dumbass," or a "Con Tool" for trying to trick him into taking "hypothetical" responsibility for Steve's squandering of the surplus.
That way the interviewer doesn't need to hear his guest point out how insipid American neo-conservative economic policies caused the mess North America's in today.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
STARTING NOW. If you were prime minister now! It was not a hard question.
Andurp 3 years ago
STARTING NOW?
THEN WHY ASK WHAT HE "WOULD HAVE" DONE?
It wasn't a question at all! It was a tricked HACK JOB.
ojlavoie 3 years ago
Officially, as anyone can see, the question is unintelligent. Regardless who wrote it, the sentence completely lacks specificity and embarrasses the interviewer. Anyone who thinks about it will realize - as Dion did instantly - the question is logically-flawed. Just try to put in other words. Post it.
besh801 3 years ago
If he can't understand "What would you have done?", he's not fit to be elected.
And if he CAN understand it and pretends not too be able too, then he doesn't deserve to be elected.
Either way ... this bud's perdue!
Submishkin 3 years ago 3
I think ATV should have been a bit more cautious. I for one will never appear AGAIN on ATV when they call me looking for an interview. I know it is different for a political candidate however having been interviewed in the past (for my professional opinion) and when understanding the question (because of the poor wording) I was promised that the the blurb would not be broadcasted... I no longer trust ATV.
skifflake 3 years ago
Steve was giving a phone call before the interviw and was aked to make Dion look bad. Steve did a good job, Was Steven paid for this or will he get a job like his co -worker did., I oper herd staff talking about it at Tim horton today. Tim' is neart the Ctv in halifax
easygoing52 3 years ago
How many times do you have to hear the words, "What would YOU have done?" to understand the question?
The excuses people come up with for Dion's supposed inability to comprehend it are quite pitiful ..
Submishkin 3 years ago 3
"If you were PM TODAY, what WOULD YOU HAVE DONE...?"
Wait, if I were PM today, I wouldn't have done anything yet because I just became PM. Clever trick question there. If you think Dion is dumb for not understanding the question, maybe you should be an English scholar, because THAT QUESTION MAKES NO FUCKING SENSE.
DuxlyHuxley 3 years ago
Not if you were PM starting now, if you were PM now!
Andurp 3 years ago 3
It is common practice to restart interviews when they are what is called "Look Live". ATV obviously wants people to see Dion's confusion over a question that is asked in present and past tenses... an error form the host. "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done..." should have been, "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you DO..." The host has asked a confusing question. Perhaps he should post some of his own out-takes so we can see his mistakes????
BillyVA 3 years ago
It's really quite clear that Dion does not have a clear plan... be it a 30 day, 50, or 80...) even today, the last day before election, he spends his time calling Stephen Harper a liar...
Dion should be spending his day telling Canadians what it is he (Dion) CAN DO to protect the Canadian enonomy, our money and so forth, but no, he doesn't... he avoids that with accusations and smoke screens.
What IS IT Liberals that Dion CAN DO for Canadians?
1easterner 3 years ago 2
that's ridiculous to decide not to vote for him based on this clip. Watch it again--Dion himself tries to clarify the question to the interviewer and the guy indicates that no that's not what I asked and re-asks the poorly phrased question again.
Watch Part 2 of the interview as well.
rosabelbelieve 3 years ago
Attention everyone! Voting day Tuesday Oct.14!
Think hard before voting for this man!!
To those seriously suggesting that if the question had been,'If you were"the" prime minister now...'instead of the actual question,'if you were prime minister now...'that Mr. Dion would not of misunderstood it, I submit that if the exclusion of"the" leads to such confusion for Mr.Dion he is not prime minister material.A PM has to have better than an elementary knowledge of the English language.
plasydanarchy 3 years ago 4
Yes, the question might not have been 100% clear, but if he ever became PM (yikes!), he would often have to act based on incomplete and sometimes even incorrect information; he won't always have everything handed to him clean and precise on a silver platter.
ariaofdreams 3 years ago 4
Dion's trouble with this question has nothing to do with not being able to speak English.The question isn't clear.He wants Dion to explain what he would do if he could become PM right now and then go back in time to succeed where Harper failed.Murphy could also mean"If you got elected what would you do about the economy now?"Present tense.Murphy is actually trying to ask"If you had been prime minister,rather than Harper,what would you have done about the economy?"Past tense.Learn English Steve!
schoolkate123 3 years ago
schoolkate: Don't reprimand Murphy for his English skills. The question was immaculate and simple English: "what would you have done" - that is NOT past tense. It is VERY clearly a subjunctive "if you were" connected to a "have done" which is a future perfect.
I have several young sisters who could explain the difference between past and future perfect tense in either French or English. If you can't see the difference, maybe you need to go back to school, kate? ;)
But have a great day
g4sy 3 years ago
This question is like asking, if you lived in the white house now, what would you have done about watergate. That is a jumble of past and present tense. but aside from that, no one should be voting based on the way someone talks. Also, Harper wasn't exactly a fluent french either but no one seems to mind that. To be PM you must be bilingual. If Harper had to run a majority french speaking campaign he would be up the creek.
schoolkate123 3 years ago
No it's like asking: "If you were buying sirloin at the store TODAY, would you have it ground up, chopped up or have it done differently?"
"have it done" and "chopped up" are not past tense. It is perfect tense. Perfect present, perfect future, it doesn't matter: Murphy actually left it open-ended for Dion, because it was a softball question.
Stop trying to force the perfect form of the verb "to do" into the past!!! It's happy as a present perfect! haha
g4sy 3 years ago 2
you're funny. ok, you win. I say meh, harper doesn't get majority government anyway and even if Dion is out at least now he has bob rae and mike ignatieff (sp??) to answer to. That makes me feel a bit better. Now I can sleep at night. I just don't understand why they couldn't just all work together from the start. Have a good day. :)
schoolkate123 3 years ago
While not a fan of Harper, he is right. Dion is not a leader. Dion needs to go.
nosuchpersonvideo 3 years ago 2
I'm honestly Liberal all the way. Just because he messed up with one question... everyone makes a big deal. It's like saying Harper shouldnt be P.M because of the Katz Jokes about the sickness thing. People are blowing it out of proportion.
navyinblue 3 years ago
Shame on CTV, it does not matter what the topic was. For years ATV/CTV has boasted being #1, the news you can "trust" and "depend on" in Atlantic Canada. Mr.Murphy has been around news at ATV long enough to know that he gave his word. However, I would bet anything it was a decision made some corporate executive bean counters not in touch with what the value of credible news is supposed to be. Canadians should really send comments to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and/or the CRTC.
Rick7132 3 years ago
The CBC would have NEVER shown this interview.
It's nice to know that SOME media outlets don't pander to the the "left" in this country.
infidel2008 3 years ago 4
i got a piece of paper in the mail and it said to type stephane dion and wach this video
SPARTANGDF 3 years ago
I love reading the comments by people saying CTV shouldn't have shown the interview...Sorry my communist friends, but we live in a free country where our politicians are actually held accountable by the media (except for the Red Star) for the views and actions.
fogofwar3 3 years ago 5
hmmmmm, very good points!
BenGariel 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is just embarrassing for CTV to play. The network is basically a bunch of paparazzi style reporters trying to make inflate something small into a huge scandal. I don't support the conservatives or the liberals but I feel bad for Dion. THis is just sad of the tv stations that they would sink this low, again.
klatkins21 3 years ago
as a canadian, i'm glad CTV showed this video, we have every right to see how stupid a candidate is. Not everything has to be sugar coated for us. If the guy truly is a moron, i want to know. I dont feel bad for him at all.
stefanopecchia 3 years ago 4
He is out of his league, I doubt Canadians would trust him with the government.
Doc418 3 years ago 3
Mr. Dion may not have understood the first time the question was posed even though the question is very straight-forward that any average Canadian can comprehend.
Before the second try, it is obvious that he knows the question but does not have an answer and attempted to buy time to formulate an answer.
After the third try, the worst was that he never answered the question (see other clips). He essentially said as PM of the day, he would need 30 days to consult with economist.
RayCommin 3 years ago 10
ya, seriously.
littleman890 3 years ago