By popular demand, here are some text and video excerpts of Dion's speech at the parliamentary press gallery dinner, October 27, 2007. Sorry for the delay, that day job really interferes with my life ;-)
You'll need to read to the end for the vids . . .
From TVO (The Agenda with Steve Paikin):
The Federal Liberal LeaderFrom CTV:
Posted on: 09 November 2007 by Steve Paikin
A couple of weekends ago, Stephane Dion was the lone federal leader who braved giving a speech at annual the Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner.
As they say in comedy circles, he killed.
While Stephen Harper and Gilles Duceppe declined to attend the event, NDP leader Jack Layton did, but announced ahead of time he wouldn't be giving a speech (despite the fact that Layton did a nice job the year before, bringing the house down with his guitar playing and humorous lyrics).
"Who's abstaining now?" Dion glowered at Layton at the press gallery dinner, to hoots and howls from the audience.
Dion even had some fun at his own expense.
"I'm mad as hell," he kibitzed. "They say I'm the worst Liberal leader in a century. What? Only a century?
"English Canadians say they can't understand me. French Canadians just can't stand me," he added, to applause.
Dion exhibited much of the personality, charm, and humour that he showed 15 months ago, when he was one of our first ever guests on The Agenda.
From the Halifax Daily News - Simon DoyleLiberal Leader Stephane Dion was scheduled to be the only political speaker this year. Jack Layton of the NDP originally declined to speak and Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe hasn't attended for years.
Dion, who has never been confused with a stand-up comic, won laughs for a series of self-inflicted jabs aimed at his struggles with the English language, his caucus and his preference for slinging a back-pack over his suit jacket.
"A back-pack can be very useful,'' he deadpanned. "It can help protect your back.''
He shot back at reporters who have called him the worst Liberal leader in a century.
"Why only in a century? I can't win anything with you guys.''
Dion's taunt aimed at Layton ("who's abstaining now?'') may have prompted the NDP leader to abandon his original intention to stay away from the podium. Layton did address reporters, but in the guise of an auctioneer to raise money for a Carleton University scholarship fund in the name of the late Dennis Bueckert, the long-serving environmental reporter for The Canadian Press.
Peerless leader
There was a lot riding on Liberal Leader Stephane Dion's speech. Stephen Harper cancelled, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe doesn't attend it and NDP Leader Jack Layton decided not to make a speech this year (although he attended). That left Dion as the only party leader to try to impress what can be an ornery gathering of journalists.
He fared well for his first crack at the dinner. As part of his presentation, he brought his trademark leather backpack onto the stage, drawing items from it such as a number of self-help books on leadership. At one point, he drew out a business card of John Manley, the former Liberal cabinet minister who recently joined the prime minister's expert panel on Afghanistan, and dismissively tossed it over his shoulder.
He finished by emptying his bag of items he said were confiscated at a recent Liberal caucus meeting. He turned it over and a pile of knives fell out.
Stéphane Dion at the parliamentary press gallery dinner (02:08)
Above - Stéphane Dion - the only politician with the guts to stand up and make a speech - knocks 'em dead at the parliamentary press gallery dinner, October 27, 2007. This clip from Dion's stand-up comedy routine includes duct tape, Marc Garneau, the Canadarm and John Manley's business card.
Stéphane Dion interview, The Agenda, 07 11 09 (3/3) 07:24
Above - Stéphane Dion interviewed on TVO's The Agenda with Steve Paikin, November 9, 2007 (pt 3 of 3 - EN). Includes Dion's "three peelers" stand-up comedy clip from parliamentary press gallery dinner (October 27, 2007).
1 comment:
Thanks for posting the clips. Very enjoyable!
Post a Comment