Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheese
Well when it comes to who people vote for....do you actually believe that they look that far back or at the experience of a "possible" leader before they mark an X? If that was the case dont you think Harper would be a shoe in for a majority?
First thing most look at is charisma. Does the leader have that twinkle in his eye. <Pierre Trudeau had this in spades regardless what anyone in the west thinks>.
Second thing is how well they handle themselves in public discourse. Everyone here hates Layton...I wonder if this has something to do with it.
Thirdly is...most people simply find right wing conservative politics distasteful. <See the past 50 years of Canadian politics for reference.> |
One would hope the average Canadian voter is smart enough to look beyond basic charisma in making their decision. Of course, that's probably giving the average voter a little too much credit... especially in the "heartland."
Lots of Dippers love the way Layton speaks. Lots of undecideds do too. How he handles himself in public (notwithstanding his power grab) probably improved his chances.
There's no disputing MANY Canadians find right wing conservative politics distasteful (yet adore Obama for what would be hard right conservative politics in Canada), but MANY Canadians also find left wing politics equally distasteful. Its a classic struggle of which side of the coin will do less damage. Right now, its the centre-right, seeing as the Liberals of the last 40 years have done tremendous damage to national unity, corruption perception, foreign affairs/national defense and regional economic health (and no, not just Alberta). Yes, especially everyone's pal, Trudeau.
Not to mention there are three lefty flavors out there (and four if one is in Quebec). There's no Liberal majority coming. Best they can do is a coalition of the witless with the political whores, the NDP.