Duffy, Ghiz meet but fail to resolve differences WAYNE THIBODEAU The Guardian
Premier Robert Ghiz and Senator Mike Duffy had a secret, 20-minute meeting last Friday to try and iron out their differences.
Neither side wants to say much about the meeting, which was requested by Senator Duffy, but sources close to the premier said Duffy was unapologetic.
Duffy suggested that Ghiz is a "Rambo wannabe" who couldn't match his late father's intellect. The comments were made during a recent Conservative convention in Halifax.
Duffy's attack came on the heels of sensational comments at a Conservative meeting last month in P.E.I., and again in the Senate, where he suggested Ghiz may get the "shaft" by getting in bed with the premier of Newfoundland, and that the sight of two politicians in bed is "... a grotesque scene."
On Monday, Ghiz wouldn’t confirm the meeting.
“If I did, it was private,” Ghiz said.
But on Thursday, Ghiz confirmed the meeting did take place but wouldn’t get into the specifics of the meeting.
Ghiz did say that he told Duffy that he would continue to raise concerns of importance to Prince Edward Island as the premier of Prince Edward Island.
“I told him I would continue to do my job,” said Ghiz.
Despite a public rebuke by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who suggested Duffy's comments were "perhaps inappropriate," Duffy refused to apologize.
During the political rally in Halifax, Duffy said the premiers of P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador should be working with Ottawa during the economic crisis and use "statesmanlike" language and "civil discourse" to further their cause, which is centered around a new cap on equalization transfers to their provinces – a cap that could cost P.E.I. more than $20 million annually.
But in the next breath, the former journalist took a swipe at Ghiz by conjuring up the memory of his late father, former Island premier Joe Ghiz.
"Joe Ghiz knew what he was doing. Joe Ghiz was a very smart guy and I'm afraid Robert, well anyway, I'll just leave it at that," Duffy said.
In an earlier interview, Ghiz said he wishes Duffy would focus on the issues facing the province, instead of personal attacks.
"Perhaps Mr. Duffy might just need to take a little time to grow into this new role," said the Island premier.
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K Y Reunion from Rochford St., IPE writes: Hopefully Duffy can 'grow' into his role over time with careful nuturing and the guidance of the 'Gentle Island' premier.
It's possible for aspecial bond to bring these two stalwart figures together.
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ron p from charlottetown, pei writes: The Duffer just will not stop digging! It's hard to believe how quickly he wiped out. The sound on the street was - SPLAT! He was such an amateur that he failed to understand that as a non-elected official he had very little to say on matters of political import between the Premier of this Province and any other Premier or the Prime Minister. It was non of the Duffers business, plain and simple. Hopefully someone can get him to stay in Ottawa and leave politics to the professionals.
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nothing from pei writes: The Guardian must love this story, they think it is making Ghiz look good. I did not learn one thing new reading this. However I expect if the two met they would have resolved something despite the headline. This should get another headline in the national media and allow us to be the butt of some jokes, sick.
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DL from PE writes: Wow..I am impressed with Harper's cleverness for appointing Duffy to the Senate. By doing so, he has done more to promote the cause for senate reform/abolishment than anything else he has attempted. It appears that Islanders really did get the shaft after all.
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Step Back from Ch'town, PEI writes: Sen. Duffy needs to step back and do an assessment of himself on both a personal and political level.
These sniper comments may have gained popularity or a few chuckles in the world of Show Biz but in the Political arena they are seen as being uncourth, unwarranted, unproductive, inappropriate, crass and beligerant.
More importantly they are giving the Party a bad name and giving the Sen. a very poor image which will in turn stunt his performance level and downsize our achievements.
In short Senator Duffy, a Statesman rides his horse sitting high on the saddle not on the back end!
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ruby mac from pe writes: duffy is getting what he wants attention the poor childish man should stop his silly stuff is he angery that a lot of islanders were not pleased with his appointment??? the media should end it and give some worthy news
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dudette-ly DuBetter from PEI writes: I think its great we have an arrogant PEI Senator. The media being the media will direct all their attention to the unimportance of being Mike Duffy, and the important business of the day can slip under the radar. Maybe something will get done now without the unnecessary interruption from bad media coverage !!
Thank Duff! Keep up the trash-talking!
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Red Nex from PE writes: This is good old fashion mud slinging, and I like it.
If you can't take it resign.
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Knuckle Dragger from PEI writes: How did PEI draw the short straw and get this senator.
Many other Islanders living a life in PEI should have bubbled to the top.
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speedy from PE writes: Yes get over it, let this be the last write up, we never want to see anything more on this .
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Straight Shooter from PEI writes: sources close to the Premier said Duffy was unapologetic.
Perhaps Mr. Duffy might just need a little more time to grow into this new role, said the Island Premier.
Those too sentences speak volumes about the integrity and statesmanship of the two men. One, the unelected Duffy, continues to mimic a third rate comic looking for an audience and finding none. The other, our Premier, comes out of it with his head held high, reeking of class.
Please go back to Ottawa and warm the seat you've been given, Senator. Islanders don't want to hear any more from you.
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islanderaway from pei writes: Who cares? If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen.
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Ryan from Cornwall, pei writes: who really cares.ppl dont like some others its human nature . only on PEI is this news!!!!! we want entertainment gun, car crashes, fires not this garbage.
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MJ Patchouli from Regina, SK writes: The problem with this is that Duffy is still recognized as a journalist, and a prominent one at that, so people will take his obnoxious views as real news.
I feel badly for Ghiz, and would say he's handling it like a gentleman. Premiers have enough to manage without crap like this.
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Still a miscreant from Charlottetown, PEI writes: As the song goes: 'What do I say dear after I've said I'm sorry?'
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M MacLean from Prince Edward Island writes: Don't worry Mr. Ghiz. Mike Duffy has to put you down to try to make himself look good but that is not going to happen. He needs to grow up and stop putting people down. Don't let him get to you Robert, he's just jealous cause your're cute and he's like NOT
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jason G from Alberton, PEI writes: I find it amazing how poor a job The Duffenator has done and continues to do. I am very sad to think that he gets a big salary and perks until he is 75. There were many, many more qualified Islanders for this position. This will do nothing but convince Islanders that Harper cares nothing for PEI. He basically gave us the thumb by appointing Puffy Duffy. If I were Gail Shea I would be starting to get very worried. I doubt she will have a chance to get re-elected. Egmont is an old Liberal Riding and with a 'new' candidate the riding will likely return to the Grits.
Keep digging Duffy, China must be down tyhere somewhere!!!
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Mel from New Brunswick writes: This latest episode should be good for another three week Reader Feedback survey.
Think it's time to move on. Duffy should look elsewhere for the attention he craves.
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just a view from PE writes: Maybe just maybe Mr Duffy owes the people of our province an apology.
I am not impressed much with Mr Ghiz so far as politics go but Mr Duffy was way out of line in being so coarse and acting like he was a bully on a playground. To me it was uncalled for and should stop.He has been in the media long enough to know how to act.
To judge anyone by their relatives is bizarre, they are individuals.
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Mervin Hollingsworth from Saskatoon, Sask. writes: So a news report about a so called meeting that did not take place in order to re-invent the story. The fact is Ghiz has little to gain by aligning himself with Williams. He can cause himself a lot of harm in Ottawa who has the cash that PEI desperately needs. Is Danny going to write a cheque to Ghiz. Somehow I doubt it. Duffy is simply trying to warn the premier that he needs to be politically smart.
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Fedupwithharper from Hunter River, PEI writes: All i can say Mr. Duffy fits right in with the Harper Cons. Rudeness and downright stupidity seems to be the trademark of that group of lame-brains.
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