Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Premier Campbell continues scorched earth campaign against own BC Liberal government by reversing 15% tax cut; Bennett calls him an "abusive bully"

The pyromaniac premier surveys his handwork after torching cabinet minister Bill Bennett and the 15% income tax cut in just one day

Has Premier Gordon Campbell gone nuts?

Or is Campbell simply a long-term psychopath who has finally been exposed?

This is wacky even for British Columbia!

First Campbell threw Energy Minister Bill Bennett out of cabinet for suggesting in public that the premier step down rather than continue on until his successor is chosen.

Then Bennett held a stunning, unprecedented news conference this afternoon in which he called Campbell an abusive, intimidating bully who swore and spit at him during a caucus meeting.

And then Campbell cancels the 15% income tax cut he announced just weeks ago in his October 27 television address, a last ditch effort to boost his failed fortunes. Campbell surprise cut of the tax cut came, he claimed, to give options to his successor to chart government policy.

But overshadowing it all were Bennett's stunning accusations.

"I’m tired of the bullshit that goes on politics and I’m really tired of the way that Gordon Campbell thinks that he can just run on people," Bennett told astonished reporters.

"He can run on me, I’m a tough guy, I can take it. But I’ve seen him do it to other people in caucus, you have almost a battered wife syndrome inside our caucus today, inside our cabinet, it’s really sad and all the man has to do to give the B.C. Liberal party a chance to renew itself is to leave,” Bennett said.

"I think you are all aware he is a very, very intimidating human being and does have a temper, does talk to people disrespectfully in caucus - I've seen him do it dozens and dozens of times," Bennett told reporters.

"He got so angry at me.. that he actually spit in my face," Bennett recounted about a time he criticized Campbell over a caucus retreat.

"He's not a nice man," Bennett said. "He's not a nice man."

The disclosures by Bennett echo similar comments about Campbell's abusive behavious behind closed doors towards Elayne Brenzinger, a first-term BC Liberal MLA who made the mistake of criticizing Campbell in a caucus meeting.

"Fuck you too, Elayne," Campbell reportedly told the Surrey-Whalley MLA in front of her shocked colleagues.

Brenzinger told the Globe and Mail in 2005 she quickly learned that "in caucus you couldn't stand up and challenge him, it just wasn't done."

But, as the Globe's Mark Hume reported, Brenzinger wasn't one to sit meekly by, and when she got a chance to send a zinger at Mr. Campbell, in a caucus meeting, she did.

What happened next shocked her.

"It was late on a Tuesday night. We were all tired. One member was talking about a fundraiser and the Premier made some comment to the effect that he didn't remember it or if he wasn't there it didn't happen.

"I just said, and it was meant to be funny, 'You know Gordon, it isn't all about you.' It got a big laugh.

"He got up and walked along, like he does when he's on stage, and then he said it. 'Fuck you too, Elayne.' People laughed a bit but I think most were shocked. I tried to be tough and not show how I felt. But when I went out to the car I was crying."

Ms. Brenzinger said the Premier later apologized to her, but their relationship quickly deteriorated, until she became convinced she wasn't wanted in the party, and last year walked away.

"I challenged him and he made me into an example to caucus. You've got to understand, it's a whole different world inside Gordon Campbell's party. It's a cult," she said.

Today British Columbians got another glimpse inside that cult - and it isn't a pretty sight.

UPDATE 1: Bill Bennett says he regrets using the "almost battered wife" analogy to describe caucus and cabinet's response to Premier Gordon Campbell bullying approach.

And Campbellis denying that he is a bully.

"You really don't hold a party, a caucus and a cabinet together for 17 years by being a bully. You do it by respecting the input of your colleges, by encouraging conversation and debate, encouraging ideas to be brought forward and bringing these together to make decisive actions to improve the quality of life for British Columbians," he told the Victoria Times-Colonist's Rob Shaw.

UPDATE 2: I recalled overnight that during the BC Legislature Raid pre-trial hearings, defence lawyers for David Basi and Bob Virk alleged in court that Campbell had blown another gasket complete with F-word tirade.
Here's what I wrote in April 24, 2007:

In the highly controversial allegation related to the $1 billion privatization of B.C. Rail, Virk's lawyer Kevin McCullough said B.C. Liberal Party Executive Director Kelly Reichert was taped by police in a call to Basi on Oct. 28, 2003, discussing a situation where Premier Campbell's Press Secretary Mike Morton sat with OmniTRAX, one of the companies bidding for the rail company, along with their lobbyists from Pilothouse Public Affairs, at a Liberal fundraising dinner.

"Reichert says he gave Gord a three-page memo on Saturday. Gord was yelling at Reichert because Mike Morton had fucked up. There was a dinner where Mike Morton is positioned with OmniTRAX -- he's at the Pilothouse table," McCullough said.

Of course we now know that two of Pilothouse's partners, Erik Bornmann and Brian Kieran, are key witnesses for the Crown against Basi and Virk, while the third, former Liberal Party of Canada B.C. president Jamie Elmhirst, has been subpoenaed to testify in the trial.


NOTE: The above are obvious exceptions to this blog's general prohibition on use of the F-word - the facts require its use in these circumstances.
UPDATE 4 - Friday November 19 - BC Liberal MLA Kash Heed says Bill Bennett should remain in the BC Liberal caucus. Heading into today's caucus meeting Heed told reporters that he values Bennett's opinion and wants him to stay.
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44 comments:

Gary E said...

I wonder what the language cops are doing when Campbell uses this type of language? Or Cristy for that matter.

terrence said...

Thanks a LOT, Bill! Just when I thought I had heard the worst about King Gordo the Thug, you present just about the sleaziest thing I have seen about him!

"...is Campbell simply a long-term psychopath who has finally been exposed?" YES, YES, YES!!!

Of course, Cabinet boot-lickers are now all over CKNW surrounding King Gordo the Thug and licking his boots.

King Gordo the Thug's tax cut always was farce that did not buy him anything (trying to bribe us with our own money). And he dropped it - he will show those peasants they can't disapprove of him!

Anonymous said...

Not "battered wife syndrome", but rather 'Stockholm Syndrome'.

Anonymous said...

The revelation that Campbell is a psycopath is not the big shock to me BUT to cancel the tax cut is possibly the most corrupt action of any Government in Canadian History as I see it. I mean to say " hey voters..I will give you a 15% tax cut if you love me again" and then say " It did not work so I am taking back the tax cut". I say this KILLS the LIBS for the next election and I only hope the anti Carole James faction just back off and at least wait until the Liberal corpse is interred.

Jeff Barkley said...

Bah, I don't believe this is an honest expression of BC Liberal's feelings. It is just the latest trick to try to make the BC Liberals "clean" after Campbell leaves. He is "taking one for the team" with the cancellation of the tax cut. That money will now be used for the BC Liberals to buy votes for the next election. I'm sure that Gordon Campbell is thug. I believe its quite possible that these anecdotes are accurate and show what a deeply disturbing person Campbell is. What I do not believe is this "issue" suddenly coming to public attention is sincere. It is a staged attempt to tie all the bad of the past decade to Gordon Campbell specifically so that when he leaves they will be able to win the next election. They will even use Campbell as an excuse during the next election. I can hear it now "well, that was done when Gordon Campbell was in control, but you know how he was....".

Anonymous said...

well it's proof enough for me that it was all about him...It didn't take any big epiphany for me to realize his F**k you attitude extended to us "commoners". I've known that for years.

Anonymous said...

Well unless those spineless Cabinet Ministers boot him out then it's all up to the people with Recall...Let's take them all down quickly and get out province back.

BC Mary said...

Maybe a handful of these newly-courageous BC Liberals could do the province a big favour by trying to safeguard the documentary evidence from the BC Rail Political Corruption Trial.

Rumour has it that the RCMP is trying to seize all the documents for the purpose of destroying them.

That can't be legal. Somebody's gotta stop them. So maybe De Jong or somebody could step up and protect the evidence of who did what, and how it caused BCR to slip from public ownership into private pockets.

It would take their minds off Gordo. Or -- come to think of it -- maybe not.
.

Anonymous said...

BERLIN . . . APRIL 30th, 1945

The GREAT SATAN

DPL said...

The sad part is that the people of BC elected this bunch of clowns, three times.Collectively they have shut down a lot of programs, pushed the old and sick either out of hospital or secure homes for them. And the list goes on. Wake up BC, the gang in power are not there to help you with your issues, unless of course you have big dollars to put into their slushfunds

Anonymous said...

I agree with the poster who says its about attaching it all to Gordo and I am unhappy with Tielman contributing to the Cult of Gordo story.

I will tell you why.

We need a change of government and the never ending eternal power struggle with in the NDP could result in yet another Liberal term.


We need to get past the old divide and come together and clean up the NDP for government.

This is important.

These communicators are going to impact the narrative at this crucial time and it looks like its a choice between which Carol/e.

Choose wisely people.

Orphan Gordie said...

Premier Gordon Campbell .. AKA: President Richard M Nixon ! You will hear in the very near future " I will resign as of noon tomorrow ! "

Anonymous said...

We really need an audit of everything Gordo and his enablers touched since they were elected. P3 contracts, Olympics, BC Rail sale, power agreements etc. This corruption cannot be allowed to slip by unchallenged.

White collar criminals that need to see a jail cell.

Jpols said...

BC has a long tradition of bullying, autocratic premiers, so should we really be surprised? The next one may be no different?

Anonymous said...

Campbell has also been giving a big F-You to the people of BC for quite a while now too.

Anonymous said...

He's lost it. We have to Get the Gov. General or whoever it is to dissolve the goveernment and appoint provo's.

It's like the death-throes of a banana republic!

Ron said...

Surely he doesn't treat Nancy or Lara that way!

Anonymous said...

from experience I can accurately say that BC no longer has a government but a caucus of politicians. This terrible situation will not be corrected by a new leader and the liberals will not be government passed the next election. Looks like the BC Conservatives are next up to the plate.

off-the-radar said...

Bennett was fired in a vindictive way:

* in the middle of a Cabinet meeting for maximum humiliation
* his cell phone and corporate credit card were immediately cancelled (that took some advance planning by someone).

Looks like caucus will boot him out too. However that would result in four independent MLAs.

And four is the magic number to from a "party" and get extra resources.

hmmmm, the "Independent BC" party has a nice ring to it and certainly reflects voters' desire for MLAs who think for themselves and serve their constituents.

And with a few more defections it could even hold the balance of power in the legislature . . .

Ron S. said...

BC Mary and others are right. We need someone to ensuer all the contracts with P3's are reviewed and make sure all the documents associated with the BC Rail give away and piecing off of BC Hydro are preserved. I think down deep we all knew SCampbell is a bully. Why hide his affare with his girlfriend all these years? He has a habit of keeping secrets and now he's exposed. I hope he lands hard!

Anonymous said...

"Pschopath" is the wrong word; "Sociopath" is more accurate. One of the most stomach-churning things about this last "happening" is the mealy-mouthed, kissing-up response of people like the Crown Prince of Bullies - Mike de Jong. The worst thing that happens with a large majority is the arrogant belief that the governing party has a mandate to do anything they like, and nowhere has this been truer than in BC, though Harper is fast catching up.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Ida Chong can use the defence of battered wife syndrome for her blind acquiescene to Campbell to help defend her from recall.

Anonymous said...

Time to move the recall over to Campbell's riding.It's time to give this ass that needed push. NOW

Anonymous said...

The BC Liberal Taliban government, have sunk to new lows. Campbell and Craig James have sent the RCMP out to harass, the citizens who were alleged to have made duplicate signatures, regarding the Fight HST petitions. One was an elderly lady, who was so terrorized, she said, she would never sign anything about this government ever again. Way to go, Campbell and C. James, this has to be your finest hour. The RCMP refused to further investigate, Campbell's corrupt sale of the BCR. However, they willingly harass people who have made honest mistakes. Shame on the RCMP, for doing Campbell and Craig James dirty work. The RCMP should be, investigating the sea to sky highway scam. Dollars to donuts, they will refuse to investigate that, the way they refused to further investigate, Campbell's corrupt sale of the BCR. And, the RCMP wonder why, BC people don't want them, as an icon for Canada.

terrence said...

The way Bennett was fired (only Gordo can fire him, NOT the Cabinet) was also a warning to all other Cabinet members - toe MY line or I will give you the same treatment; and you all know
Huggies will only say I what I approve of).

Victor Serge said...

We`re still being played..with the Government broke and in tatters..it`ll all have to be left to the private sector...except the cops of course..they`ll keep them around.

Anonymous said...

The language used in this blog is also scorched earth.

Seems to be the same old people who want to comment on the same old thing over and over again.

"BERLIN . . . APRIL 30th, 1945"

Seems Devilled Ham is continuing his love afair with the NDSAP.

John's Aghast said...

BC Mary is right on. Get to the bottom of the BC Rail sale and you'll get all the answers. If he can cancell the 15% income tax reduction we surely can vetoe the anti-inquiry edict? No?

Anonymous said...

"He's lost it. We have to Get the Gov. General or whoever it is to dissolve the goveernment and appoint provo's."

Lt. Governor. He can do that, but there has to be a clear demonstration of instability, not based on politics as demonstrated by responses to a blog.

Closest that came was when Lt. Gov. David Lam was very very close to dissolving the VanderZalm government.

Anonymous said...

"The BC Liberal Taliban government, have sunk to new lows. "

So has the level of quality of opposition commentary. Most of the commentary is not bad, but comparing the BC Liberals to the Taliban? Has this commentator ever lived in Afghanistan when that group of garbage was in power? Had his girlfriend swung on a cable held up by a crane? I doubt that.

Seems a few take these incidents to come up with stupidity laden comments when constructive critical intelligent commentary would serve better than using comparatives to other regimes that don't make even a 1% match to what Campbell has done to BC Liberals and the province as a whole.

Also dilutes the quality of Bill's blog. Used to be readble constructive critical commentary, but is getting lower and lower in quality.

Soon he'll match the bottom of the barrel quality of The Tyee's blog commentators.

Anonymous said...

Right on BC Mary. The RCMP is losing a lot of respect from Canadians right across Canada. Could that have anything to do with their new boss? A businessman. Did they destroy evidence in the Glen Clark case? If any evidence is distroyed
who are they protecting and why?

There are a few in Campbells caucus(the sleazy ones that helped him to sell out BC)have a good word for him. That's why voters have to get rid of all the corrupt cabinet ministers
Is Campbell a nut case or a psychopath? The latter suits him to a 'T' Bush and Hopeless Harper fall into the same category Are Americans still carrying on brainwashing programs in BC and the other provinces? Nancy and Lara,are they family members or Campbells' personal friends
I don't know how any politician could stoop this low.
CKNW and the other neocons news outlets will be coming to the psychopaths rescue.

Anonymous said...

anon 1:32 cristy clark referred the 750,000 citizens that signed the hst petition as the taliban what's your point troll or was that ok in your books.

Anonymous said...

Psychopath/sociopath = the same thing. I am sure Campbell is a psychopath.

Look at these brief descriptions of Personality Disorders.

Antisocial Personality: is a pattern of disregard for,and violation of, the rights of others.

Borderline Personality Disorder: is a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, and marked impulsivity.

Histrionic Personality Disorder: is a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder: is a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: is a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism and control.

It seems to me that we have someone in need of therapy running our province.

FYBT said...

Again you make me laugh. Thanks, Bill, and keep up the pro-STV work. Or anti-FPTP work or whatever it is you do, as long as you keep me chuckling.

Anonymous said...

psychopath - failure to learn from experience

He used the F word with Elayne Brenzinger, and from there, it was all downhill. He was unstoppable till he went on TV last month and in a last ditch effort to save himself, he gave us, with his left hand our 15% cut in personal income tax starting in January 2011 to buy him some time. Then he had his right hand stomped on by the Caucus and he said his Last Hooray of F___!

cherylb said...

Christie Clark, in her haste to defend Campbell, and being one of the women specifically named by Bennett, only confirmed what he accused Gordo of being. "Tough man to work for. Likes control too much. Impatient with people he thinks are too slow. He yelled at me sometimes. If it had been a friendlier, more consensual workplace I might have stayed".

Kevin Falcon admits that he and Gordo have had the occasional shouting match "but that's just how it's done sometimes" WTF?

Makes you wonder why the rest of the Lieberals feel so compelled to defend that kind of behaviour from their leader. Has he promised them something? Or has he threatened them? Threatening would be more in-line with a bully. I'm not a Bennett fan; but I believe him.

Anonymous said...

"anon 1:32 cristy clark referred the 750,000 citizens that signed the hst petition as the taliban what's your point troll or was that ok in your books."

I doubt she did that, but even if she did, there's no need to apply that nonsense to the BC Liberals OR the NDP.

terrence said...

Anonymous at 10:12 AM PST said
“ "anon 1:32 cristy clark referred the 750,000 citizens that signed the hst petition as the taliban what's your point troll or was that ok in your books."

I doubt she did that, but even if she did, there's no need to apply that nonsense to the BC Liberals OR the NDP.”

It is a matter of public record that Christy Clark DID, IN FACT, call “the 750,000 citizens that signed the hst petition as the Taliban”. The show segments are probably still available in the CKNW audio vault.

In the future, PLEASE do NOT make such a public display of your risible ignorance and lack of information; all you have done is to make yourself look laughably ignorant and completely uninformed; and, not very bright to boot.

Anonymous said...

"In the future, PLEASE do NOT make such a public display of your risible ignorance and lack of information; all you have done is to make yourself look laughably ignorant and completely uninformed; and, not very bright to boot"

In future PLEASE do not try to be a smart-alec poster. All you're doing is showing your own ignorance.

It is laughable that "terrance" is some kind of authority figure.

Do us a favour. Go to the NDP HQ and park the cars.

terrence said...

Anonymous at 10:43 AM PST said
“"In the future, PLEASE do NOT make such a public display of your risible ignorance and lack of information; all you have done is to make yourself look laughably ignorant and completely uninformed; and, not very bright to boot"

In future PLEASE do not try to be a smart-alec poster. All you're doing is showing your own ignorance.

It is laughable that "terrance" is some kind of authority figure.

Do us a favour. Go to the NDP HQ and park the cars.”

Thanks for the laughs,
ANANYMOUS; you are a real hoot. At least, you are good for a laugh. If you were trying to be funny, you were; if you were NOT trying to be funny, you FAILED. Thanks again, for the laughs ANANYMOUS!

Anonymous said...

"Thanks for the laughs,
ANANYMOUS; you are a real hoot. At least, you are good for a laugh. If you were trying to be funny, you were; if you were NOT trying to be funny, you FAILED. Thanks again, for the laughs ANANYMOUS!"

Terrance, try not to giggle too loudly, and try to remember how to spell correctly. You spelt 'Anonymous' wrong.

Would be interesting for you to write to us what you think are workable alternatives or do you just sit there and write critical commentary like a 15 year old with a Grade 5 education?

Thanks for the laugh. Your contributions are a big joke. Try auditioning at Yuk-Yuk's. They could use you on Tuesday nights.

Anonymous said...

Well, 12:51,

Perhaps you should have a word with Cristy Clark. I do believe she was calling, the people opposing Campbell, Taliban. Turn-a-bout is fair play. Your mouth is probably big enough, to get both of your feet in it. And, while your at it, chastise Campbell for using the f-bomb word.

Anonymous said...

My Dear Ananymous, at 12:32 PM PST

Golly Gee whizz, ANANYMOUS! You NOTICED my capital letter MISSPELLING! WOW, you are SO observant – do you think I did it on PURPOSE? THINK HARD NOW, ANANYMOUS!

You might try to spell correctly yourself; but then for someone with less than a grade five education, I guess you are doing the best you can – and that AIN’T much. I bet you are too dense to know what you have misspelt - you can’t even copy something without screwing it up. But you are doing the VERY best you are capable. HA-HA!

Anonymous said...

"But you are doing the VERY best you are capable. HA-HA!"

You might want to try a bit effort to be at least passable in your commentary and be more mature and intelligent, but that's beyond your capabilities as we have seen.