"Stuff" my candidate says

With apologies to Justin Halpern, here's our #elxn41 compilation of "did s/he really say that?" moments...

You can also receive the latest 'bon mots' in our collection by following a Twitter account we've set up for this feature: @StufMyCdateSays

And if you've heard something, uh, interesting in your riding... we'd love to know. Direct message the Twitter account, or submit it in the comments field below. 

 

---

 

Devinder Shory is running his campaign like Indian Politian's do (sic), intimidating and threatening opponent candidate's volunteers and supporters. This behaviour is not acceptable in our civilized democracy." - Cam Stewart (Liberal, Calgary Northeast), in a statement following a heated all-candidates debate. He later apologized. 

"The comments I made regarding washing with bleach because of the presence of the unwashed (me) were meant to be a joke." - B.C. Southern Interior Conservative Stephen Hill, apologizing for telling a public meeting in February that people should should "go home and scrub with bleach." More from his apology: "In hindsight, I should not have attended that meeting. I was not in a very good frame of mind given that I had been invited to participate as a panelist at the forum and then had my invitation revoked. Additionally, I was very tired and not feeling all that well." And more: "Do you know how many times I've been called a Nazi at the door? Dozens. People slam the door on me and call me a Nazi. In politics, you don't take anything personally. I'm sure it happens to other candidates too, but for whatever reason, the Conservatives seem to get a more heated reaction."

"On est sur la liste de Ben Laden, et dans le Nord canadien, les Russes plantent leur drapeau. Il y a plein de choses qui pourraient se produire." - Mélisa Leclerc (Conservative, Shefford) explains the need for purchasing new F-35s for the Canadian military at a campaign debate in Granby

"It is pretty clear that the debate organizers are not acting in the best interests of democracy... To keep the Green Party candidate out, include a candidate with no party, no plans, and no policies and claim you want a event about the issues is absurd...To elevate spectacle over substance does a disservice to democracy. A democratic candidate meeting must be open to all candidates, with questions submitted from voters posed to all the candidates." - Conservative incumbent Cheryl Gallant explains why she refused to participate and stormed out at the start of an all-candidates' meeting in Nipissing-Pembroke 

"Chinese educated Niki Ashton is a Socialist. She consistently berates industry and capital that would bring investment to our area. Niki would export our jobs to China if she had any power. Thankfully she is only Jack Laytons (sic) back bench complainer. Niki Ashton is a bench warmer. Niki Ashton has no relatives in Ottawa." - Wally Daudrich, Conservative candidate for Churchill, noted here making disparaging remarks about his competition, NDP incumbent Niki Ashton. She reportedly attended Li Po Chun United World College in Hong Kong, an institution that has nothing to do with communism.

"Honestly, if tomorrow was election day, we'd probably lose... We're giving it our best. But to be honest, we're losing. I need help." - Edmonton-Strathcona Conservative candidate Ryan Hastman tries to motivate supporters by telling them he's a lost cause, via email

"My deepest sympathies go out to the people of Manitoba who are dealing with the devastating effects of the Red River flooding, and especially to those families who have lost loved ones to the flood waters near Brandon." - Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, quoted in a Liberal Party of Canada press release. There hasn't been any flooding near Brandon. The release was later amended to delete the reference.

"I'm obviously trying to meet a lot of people and ... the "Ra" seems to be something that's kind of hard for people to pronounce." - Scarborough Southwest Conservative candidate Ragavan Paranchothy, explaining why he changed his name to run in the 2011 election. He's also under scrutiny for allegedly showing support for the Tamil Tigers, a banned terrorist organization, while hosting a television program.

"He is a good, solid family man and sometimes family is more important than politics." - Ajax-Pickering NDP riding association president Justin Arjoon, explaining why his candidate Jim Koppens is on vacation instead of actively campaigning.

"In the next elections, all of Canadians of Hellenic descent will say no." -  Richmond Hill Conservative candidate Costas Menegakis, criticizing the Harper government for its decision to recognize the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 2007 and vowing that Greeks would not support the Conservatives as a result. Now in 2011, he's one of their candidates.

"If rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it!" - Alan Saldanha, the now-former Green Party candidate in Fleetwood-Port Kells, sharing an ill-advised quote on Facebook.

We, at the Etobicoke Centre riding, are trying to create a photo-op about all the multicultural groups that support Ted Opitz our local Conservative candidate and the Prime Minister. The opportunity is to have up to 20 people in national folklore costumes which represent their ethnic backgrounds. These people will sit in front row behind the PM - great TV photo op.  We are seeking representation from the Arab community. Do you have any cultural groups that would like to participate by having someone at the event in an ethnic costume? - Conservative campaign worker Zeljko 'Zed' Zidaric, in an email received by the Canadian Arab Federation, which ironically was cut off from its federal government funding in 2009.  

"Cop says to falling down man outside tavern 'You're drunk' Man replies 'Thank goodness' Cop asks 'Why?' Drunk: 'I thought I was crippled!'" - @WoodworthCPC (Kitchener Centre Tory candidate Stephen Woodworth, via a now-deactivated Twitter account), followed shortly after by an apology: "To all offended by my repeating a feeble joke with the word 'crippled' my sincere apologies."

If you look across the country where the Conservatives have had strong representation, a lot of projects have taken place... But it's normal that you're going to focus on the areas with the people that do support you. That is part of political life. - Larry Smith, Conservative candidate for Lac-Saint-Louis, suggesting that it was natural for ridings with Conservative MPs to receive more federal funding than ridings represented by Opposition MPs 

We have people in the Liberal campaign headquarters who've had run-ins with the law before...If people start opening up all of these cans of worms and trying to run with that, then you're going to get your own hands dirty...Everbody's got skeletons in the closet. - Senator Pamela Wallin, trying to suggest that the Bruce Carson affair isn't exceptional, but refusing to offer any examples to back up her claim, on the Power and Politics: The War Room podcast 

Sais-tu combien ça coûte, toi, une tête de plumes? (Do you know how much a featherhead costs?) -Manicouagan Liberal candidate André Forbes, speaking as the former spokesman for the Association for the Rights of Whites, as quoted in L'actualité (October 15, 2004)

I think it is better when you are turning people away than when you can't get people to come -Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, speaking after controversies over who's allowed to attend Conservative campaign events

He probably thinks the Flintstones was a documentary series. - Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, trying to poke fun at Minister of State Gary Goodyear's beliefs on creationism/evolution 

No carbon tax please, Igaffi! - @cherylgallant, the Conservative candidate for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, via Twitter

I'm afraid Ms. Neville has passed her expiry date. - Winnipeg Conservative candidate Shelly Glover, in explaining why she feels the Winnipeg South Centre riding needs some "fresh blood" and should not re-elect Liberal Anita Neville.

You don't invite a fire hydrant to a dog show. - Independent candidate André Arthur, explaining why he declined a media interview.

You can fix my furnace anytime. - Zsuzsanna Zsohar, on seeing her husband Michael Ignatieff in a grey work coat during a campaign stop in Kitchener-Waterloo.

You know what I want to do? I want to make a mess. - Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, playing with children at a Winnipeg preschool during a campaign stop.

... when Sun Media starts to attack our amazing government, you know stupidity has prevailed amongst communications people - Tony Phillips, assistant to B.C. Conservative candidate Dona Cadman, on his Facebook page

...'Cause I care about everyone in my community and my country, and I'll do whatever I can to ensure the Conservatives don't get a majority - former NDP candidate Ryan Dolby, explaining why the best thing he could do for democracy was stop running

They all want to be in our bed, but no one wants to marry us - Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe, speaking about the possibility of a coalition government during his campaign launch.