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Ashartus · 02-25-2011, 10:51 AM

I have mixed feelings. I consider myself fairly centrist and have voted Conservative in the past (though not since moving to Calgary West since I can't stand Rob Anders). Overall I don't think he's done a bad job, and I don't think the other parties would have done any better through the recession.

I agree with FlamesAddiction that he doesn't seem to work well with the other parties. I also don't really like his centralization of power in the PMO office (though in all fairness that didn't start with him) and suppression of open communication.

There seems to be a shortage of major talent in all of the parties these days, or at least that's my perception. I don't think any of the current party leaders have a good chance of defeating Harper. The only name I can think of from the Liberal party among potential future leadership candidates who might be able to pull it off is Dominic LeBlanc; guys like Rae and Trudeau are too divisive in my opinion. I also can't think of any current federal Conservative MP that I think could win a majority. With the current political climate I think the only way someone will get a majority is with a charismatic, articulate leader whose policies appeal to a wide range of the population, and I don't see that person. Either that or someone who can convince Quebec to abandon the Bloc without alienating the rest of the country.

02-25-2011, 10:51 AM	#7
Ashartus First Line Centre Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Calgary Exp:	I have mixed feelings. I consider myself fairly centrist and have voted Conservative in the past (though not since moving to Calgary West since I can't stand Rob Anders). Overall I don't think he's done a bad job, and I don't think the other parties would have done any better through the recession. I agree with FlamesAddiction that he doesn't seem to work well with the other parties. I also don't really like his centralization of power in the PMO office (though in all fairness that didn't start with him) and suppression of open communication. There seems to be a shortage of major talent in all of the parties these days, or at least that's my perception. I don't think any of the current party leaders have a good chance of defeating Harper. The only name I can think of from the Liberal party among potential future leadership candidates who might be able to pull it off is Dominic LeBlanc; guys like Rae and Trudeau are too divisive in my opinion. I also can't think of any current federal Conservative MP that I think could win a majority. With the current political climate I think the only way someone will get a majority is with a charismatic, articulate leader whose policies appeal to a wide range of the population, and I don't see that person. Either that or someone who can convince Quebec to abandon the Bloc without alienating the rest of the country.