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Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is vulnerable; she needs help. Instead, liberals are shamelessly turning their backs on the three-term senator.

Landrieu gets it and they don't like it. Hollywood and simpatico leftist political writers have long loved Robert Redford asking, "what do we do now?" at the end of "The Candidate." It suits them to think they must perpetually guide elected officials.

But this November, voters answered that question emphatically. "Not that," they said of Washington's liberal tack the past six years.

Surveying the wreckage, some Democrats have gotten the message. Landrieu is one of them. Yes, her steps like voting against Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., as Senate Minority Leader and her newfound enthusiasm for a vote on the Keystone XL pipeline smack of desperation. It's obvious these are moves Landrieu feels compelled to make with her political back against the wall.

On the other hand, they are the right things to do. They are things most of her constituents or the country want her to do. And they are therefore things any reasonable official reading the post-midterm political tealeaves would do.

Do others on the left see it that way? They do not. The good liberals at Talking Points Memo survey Landrieu's collapsing support among Democratic moneymen and throw up the headline"Dead Woman Walking." Outside groups that provide critical financial support are also sitting out the Louisiana runoff.

The left-wing writer Richard Yeselson smugly tweets, "pretty much everything politically and substantively lame about Democratic party encapsulated 'vote Keystone; save Landrieu' brain freeze."

Yeselson has it exactly backwards. The Pew Foundation has dug into the roughly2-to-1 support the pipeline enjoys and found only one subset of people - hardcore liberals - against it.

In other words, more Democrats favor it than oppose it. Landrieu, who has long said she backs it and is now moving aggressively for a vote on it, is thus in line with America. What's more, to listen to her campaign line, these steps don't even mark a detour for her; they are, in fact, in line with her thinking all along.

To sum up: Louisiana voters said they want a turnaround, and perhaps did so in such a way that the shift won't include Landrieu. Nevertheless, in response she makes these very reasonable and, again according to her storyline, consistent moves.

Excerpt from:
Liberals turn their backs on Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.: James Varney

Tanning beds have been linked to skin cancer.

The State Government has had to hold off plans to ban commercial tanning beds after an embarrassing lack of support in the Liberal party room.

In a move that stunned cancer experts, several Liberal backbenchers questioned whether sun beds posed a health risk, despite the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying them in the highest risk category for cancer.

From next year, WA will be the only State that allows commercial machines.

Health Minister Kim Hames had the support of State Cabinet to ban tanning beds from 2016 but some Liberal MPs questioned the health risks of the machines.

Dr Hames said yesterday he had agreed to provide more information. "I've arranged an urgent meeting next week with health specialists, including those with radiation, skin pathology and dermatology expertise," he said.

At question time in Parliament, he tried to deflect some responsibility to people who used sun beds. "No one forces them. No one's making them get cancer," Dr Hames said.

But Cancer Council WA director of education and research Terry Slevin said when it came to advice about what caused cancer, MPs should trust the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organisation.

"Sun beds are a class one carcinogen - end of story," he said.

"We urge all MPs to put the interests of their constituents over the small number of solarium operators in WA and join the rest of the country in banning commercial solarium operators and their machines which add to the enormous skin cancer burden in WA.

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Liberals stall sun bed ban

As opposition MLAs use parliamentary tactics at their disposal to delay the government from passing its final four pieces of legislation, Premier Stephen McNeil said any suggestion his government isnt open to reasonable amendments is false.

The premier pointed to an NDP amendment on Bill 1, accepted by the Liberals, that requires community health board meetings be open to the public. The Liberals also recently passed a piece of legislation from Independent MLA Chuck Porter a rare step by any government, said McNeil that expands the class of veterans who get preference for civil service appointments.

Opposition party leaders dont believe the government is being as co-operative as McNeil suggests, however.

NDP amendments that would expand post-traumatic stress-related workers compensation benefits for first responders and ban flavoured tobacco, and Tory amendments that would require supervisory drivers be sober and awake, among several others, have been defeated during this sitting.

Quite frankly, the premier is being unreasonable when we are actually helping make better laws, said Tory Leader Jamie Baillie.

Behind every opposition amendment is a group of real people with real issues, Baillie said.

Acting NDP leader Maureen MacDonald said it seems like the government is closed to good ideas from the opposition. She said her caucus would continue bringing forward amendments because thats part of what we do in opposition.

McNeil said his government would continue to consider reasonable amendments. His ministers have, in most cases, been receptive to the proposed amendments, but research has to happen first to make sure they can actually work, said McNeil.

(The opposition parties) have been in government recently (enough) to know you need to look at whether or not you can afford the amendment youre bringing forward (for example).

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Liberals playing fair, says premier

SUMMERSIDE Thursdays announcement by Premier Robert Ghiz that he will be stepping down caught many of his colleagues by surprise.

Premier Robert Ghiz

Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry, (Summerside-Wilmot MLA) said she was caught off guard by Ghizs announcement.

It was a big surprise, I didnt see it coming, she said. I have so much respect and admiration for Premier Ghiz. It has certainly been a joy to work with him and for him. Well miss his guidance and the way he commands the attention of his team and the way he supports his team.

Sherry said the Liberal party is strong and will continue to be so until a new leader is elected.

I have every bit of confidence in our party as a whole, the minister said. Hes made a decision based on his own personal feelings. Hes a great leader and 12 years is a long time in politics.

Sherry said, Ghizs posture during the recent Throne Speech gave her no indication that he was about to step down.

I just felt such pride and admiration of his energy and his enthusiasm and his whole vim for the work that he does, she said. I just thought to myself that hes on his game and hes so confident.

Malpeque MP Wayne Easter said he was unaware that Ghiz would be leaving office.

I think it came as a surprise to most everyone, he said. I was at a meeting with a number of Liberals last night and I attended a lot of Remembrance Day ceremonies and it wasnt even in the rumour mills. I guess, as time unfolds, well find out what the reason is behind the departure.

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Liberals caught by surprise with premiers announcement

MP Carolyn Bennett Speaks To Local Liberals At Red Leaf Dinner
The Northumberland-Peterborough South Federal Liberal Association hosted their Annual Red Leaf Dinner at the Best Western Inn Convention Centre on Thursday...

By: NorthumberlandView.ca

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MP Carolyn Bennett Speaks To Local Liberals At Red Leaf Dinner - Video