Quote:
Originally Posted by Slava
Based on the early campaigning I think that the CPC is working really hard at making sure they stick with a minority. Their big tax cut announcement is pretty roundly brushed aside as too far in the future to make a difference. The coalition talk is largely irrelevant.
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I don't really think so. Polling has indicated that opposition to a coalition government was actually a pretty galvinizing issue for people who are considered part of the conservative base. The conservative base is actually not enamored with the work Harper's done in 5 years. Nothing on Senate reform, nothing on free speech, appeasing Quebec, income trust flop, there are a lot of bread and butter conservative issues not attended to that has disenfranchised core conservative voters.
If they're going to win a majority it's extremely important to at least win everything in places that are considered Conservative heartland. That includes places like Rahim Jaffer's old riding in Edmonton, and they also need to hold onto everything they have in Saskachewan, BC, and Manitoba, where the NDP or Liberals came in close second. They can't let voter apathy from core voters allow the odd seat to bleed in the west. Every seat counts.