[Hyack]

Picking up where they left off when Canada's women faced the United States for gold, both Stephen Harper and Jack Layton latched on to Wayne Gretzky in a bid to polish their respective Olympic images.

The Prime Minister and his son Ben took in Sunday's gripping men's final with the hockey legend in Vancouver. Having brought along his official photographer, Mr. Harper managed to capture for posterity his reaction to the heartbreaking U.S. equalizer, the moment of victory in overtime and even his trip to the locker room to congratulate the champions.

Across the country, the NDP Leader watched the game at Mr. Gretzky's bar in Toronto. The result was somewhat different.

Jack Layton Wants To Make Sure You See Him Celebrating That Goal!

In a clip broadcast between periods Mr. Layton, who was joined by his wife and fellow MP Olivia Chow, raises his arms in celebration as Canada nets its second goal. He also reaches out and lowers the arms of another bar patron. Some suggest this was an intentional bid to stay in the shot; the NDP Leader's press secretary says otherwise.

"The TV screen was up there, he moved her arm to be able to see," Karl Bélanger told The Globe. "She was clearly not upset or anything like that. She is a friend of a former NDP candidate who happened to sit beside them for the game. They shared a great Canadian moment and enjoyed a few beers together."

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, meanwhile, shunned the cameras and instead put pen to paper, crafting an op-ed on what Canada's record Olympic medal haul means for the national psyche and its place in the world. In a line that could also be applied to how he and his rivals sought out the spotlight, he said: "The Games taught us that we need to focus on what we do best and then be unsparingly disciplined about continuing to be the best."

source

[xerxes]

OMG! Stop the presses! A politician tried to get himself noticed!.

[Bodah]

No way an arm is going to get in the way of some sweet free political advertising, no arm for you !!!!

[Mr_Canada]

Where's Jack? The arm?

Ugh, who cares?

[Bodah]

Mr_Canada wrote:

Where's Jack? The arm?

Ugh, who cares?

Put the bong down you'll see him.

[Mr_Canada]

Holy shit, he is pretty absorbed in there. I almost couldn't recognize him.

I don't really care though. I think it's a politician's right just as much as it is ours to cheer for us. I didn't bitch about Harper, because I have nothing to bitch about. So I won't bitch about Layton.

Though.. Where's Iggy? I haven't heard anything about where he's been during this whole thing.

[QBC]

Yeah...a politician with his face in front of a camera....what a shock....I only saw Jack the one time during the hockey game, sure saw Stevie a lot more. I guess that's the perk of the office eh, the PM gets more free political advertising at the Olympics...stands to reason I guess.

[ShepherdsDog]

Mr_Canada wrote:

Holy shit, he is pretty absorbed in there. I almost couldn't recognize him.

I don't really care though. I think it's a politician's right just as much as it is ours to cheer for us. I didn't bitch about Harper, because I have nothing to bitch about. So I won't bitch about Layton.

Though.. Where's Iggy? I haven't heard anything about where he's been during this whole thing.

The Olympics are too plebian. I wonder if Jack bought any of his drinks or expected others to buy them for him.

[kenmore]

A true Canadian, celebrating in a bar. Way to go Jack!

[Mr_Canada]

Who knows. (I wouldn't mind knowing that either Shep.)

I just think it's good he wasn't in an office or running some sort of "NDP loves the Olympics" shit. Over all I didn't see much politics in this event from anybody and I am glad.

[kenmore]

PS .... we all know where photo op harper was. while the business of the country was on hold. he thinks he has smoothed over the public outcry for proroging ... NOT!

[QBC]

Hey, to make the gold medal game with Canada in it, I'd have hung the "Gone to the hockey game" sign on the Commons too.

So what Jack's sitting in a bar watching the hockey game, a few million of us were doing that. As PM, Stevie had better been at the game supporting our athletes, as he was at many of the venues, good on him. Lets quit turning everything political for a change around here. The Olympics were awesome for Canada and Canadians, lets not ruin them by turning them partisan just because, kinda makes me sick actually.

[Mr_Canada]

QBC wrote:

Hey, to make the gold medal game with Canada in it, I'd have hung the "Gone to the hockey game" sign on the Commons too.

So what Jack's sitting in a bar watching the hockey game, a few million of us were doing that. As PM, Stevie had better been at the game supporting our athletes, as he was at many of the venues, good on him. Lets quit turning everything political for a change around here. The Olympics were awesome for Canada and Canadians, lets not ruin them by turning them partisan just because, kinda makes me sick actually.

Yeah... If I were a successful politician (AHHHHHHAHAHA) I would probably play hookey on the House of Commons too.

And agreed.

[QBC]

Mr_Canada wrote:

QBC wrote:

Hey, to make the gold medal game with Canada in it, I'd have hung the "Gone to the hockey game" sign on the Commons too.

So what Jack's sitting in a bar watching the hockey game, a few million of us were doing that. As PM, Stevie had better been at the game supporting our athletes, as he was at many of the venues, good on him. Lets quit turning everything political for a change around here. The Olympics were awesome for Canada and Canadians, lets not ruin them by turning them partisan just because, kinda makes me sick actually.

Yeah... If I were a successful politician (AHHHHHHAHAHA) I would probably play hookey on the House of Commons too.

And agreed.

I guess some just can't stand the fact that Canadians stood together as a nation and cheered for our athletes no matter what political banner they gather under. We stood together under our flag as Canadians and supported one another and didn't care who we voted for in the last election. Too bad that can't continue that past the closing ceremonies, just imagine what we could accomplish.

[Mr_Canada]

QBC wrote:

Mr_Canada wrote:

QBC wrote:

Hey, to make the gold medal game with Canada in it, I'd have hung the "Gone to the hockey game" sign on the Commons too.

So what Jack's sitting in a bar watching the hockey game, a few million of us were doing that. As PM, Stevie had better been at the game supporting our athletes, as he was at many of the venues, good on him. Lets quit turning everything political for a change around here. The Olympics were awesome for Canada and Canadians, lets not ruin them by turning them partisan just because, kinda makes me sick actually.

Yeah... If I were a successful politician (AHHHHHHAHAHA) I would probably play hookey on the House of Commons too.

And agreed.

I guess some just can't stand the fact that Canadians stood together as a nation and cheered for our athletes no matter what political banner they gather under. We stood together under our flag as Canadians and supported one another and didn't care who we voted for in the last election. Too bad that can't continue that past the closing ceremonies, just imagine what we could accomplish.

Who would honestly want to sit in the House of Commons during the Gold Medal Hockey Game? I had to be at work and I was PISSED. I didn't even help customers for the entire hockey game while listening to it on radio. I was busy clutching my makeshift flagpole made out of a mop handle and zip ties.