Tories prep for campaign: report

[RedHot25]

http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/Top...howbyline=True

The federal Tories have laid out a campaign blueprint and part insiders have been warned they could be in an election showdown by next month, according to a newspaper report.

....

The Tories are ready to run a campaign that includes a 1,600-square-metre war room in Ottawa's downtown. The party has also arranged for bus and air transportation, and has demanded all nominations be wrapped up by March 25 or 26, sources quoted Finley as saying at a closed-door lunch at Toronto's Albany Club.

[Slava]

I am basically a political junkie, but this is an election that we don't need. I don't think that there will be major changes after the next election.

[jolinar of malkshor]

I don't think we need another election, but is seems that it is the Liberals that have decided that an election is need. Both from their rhetoric and them forcing this Kyoto bill through the house. Harper may be forced to call an election if he does not wish to abide by the law.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

I don't think we need another election, but is seems that it is the Liberals that have decided that an election is need. Both from their rhetoric and them forcing this Kyoto bill through the house. Harper may be forced to call an election if he does not wish to abide by the law.

Can you expand on that - in the sense that its the Liberals idea for an election?

I think both parties are doing it...the Conservatives are firing attack TV ads at Dion (gearing up for an election, at least that's what it appears like to me), and Dion is yapping about being ready for an election yesterday.

I don't think its a case of either one.

[Sample00]

An another election at the cost of taxpayers

Lets hope that we can have a majority House IF it gets call, so that we dont have to deal with elections every year.

On the flip side to that, having a minority House does create and environment that allows both sides (or should that be all four sides) of the government to work together in order to run the country.

I'm just still not in favour of running elections every 12-18 months.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Can you expand on that - in the sense that its the Liberals idea for an election?

I think both parties are doing it...the Conservatives are firing attack TV ads at Dion (gearing up for an election, at least that's what it appears like to me), and Dion is yapping about being ready for an election yesterday.

I don't think its a case of either one.

IMO....the conservatives would not be pumping money into tv ad's if they didn't think there was an election soon. I don't think they want and election any time in the near future. The reason they are doing this is because one of the first things Dion said was, we will have an election as soon as possible.

That is my take on it.

[Ford Prefect]

I had a phone call this week from a Conservative solicitor who stated that there seems to be little doubt we'd soon have an another election and asked me if I would like to make a donation to the party. That would certainly seem to indicate an election is imminent. Spring maybe?

[calculoso]

With the current "environment" in the house, I don't see any probability that the next Conservative budget will pass.

As such, the next election is pretty much inevitable.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

IMO....the conservatives would not be pumping money into tv ad's if they didn't think there was an election soon. I don't think they want and election any time in the near future. The reason they are doing this is because one of the first things Dion said was, we will have an election as soon as possible.

That is my take on it.

Fair enough.

A couple of points:

1. It would have to be more than just the liberals to defeat them and force an election;
2. you made the point for me - the conservatives are the ones putting $$ into the "election style ads", so they are doing as much electioneering as anyone else.
3. Of course Dion is going to state to be ready for an election at anytime, it is afterall a minority gov't, meaning theoretically an election could be called tomorrow;
4. Of course the Conservatives wouldn't want an election any time soon - the only time they would want one is when they felt guaranteed to win a majority. Other than that, why would they want one? They are in power, albeit a minority...they go for the majority when they best think that they can get it. Perhaps they think this is their chance - that they can defeat the new liberal leader (Dion) especially before he has his party all re-organized and set up the way he wants.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Can you expand on that - in the sense that its the Liberals idea for an election?

I think both parties are doing it...the Conservatives are firing attack TV ads at Dion (gearing up for an election, at least that's what it appears like to me), and Dion is yapping about being ready for an election yesterday.

I don't think its a case of either one.

The first words out of Dion's mouth at the Lib Leadership Campaign were - "Lets get ready for the Election".

They introduced a bill that neither the NDP or Bloc could not vote for and pushed it through, the toothless tiger will have teeth in calling an election. I am looking for an election on April 24th.

The bill C-288 calls for the government to set up a independent comitee to oversee timelines on targets that the Tories are supposed to introduce. If they dont they will be sued (not exactly sure how that works). I guarantee if it comes to that there will be an election before the court case even comes.

MYK

[Winsor_Pilates]

I think it's prime time for the Tories to call an election. The Libs aren't ready and are weak right now. Dion hasn't had enough time to show the nation who he is or what he's about.


I must say I'm pretty shocked though. The Conservatives told us that those anti Dion ads had nothing to do with an election, and I believed them because Conservatives never lie.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

IMO....the conservatives would not be pumping money into tv ad's if they didn't think there was an election soon. I don't think they want and election any time in the near future. The reason they are doing this is because one of the first things Dion said was, we will have an election as soon as possible.

That is my take on it.

The other Mozzaball in this whole equation is the Budget and the Quebec provincial election.

There is a belief there will be an election call in Quebec near the end of this month or early next - the thinking is that the Cons Fed Budget is so bulletproof that it will give Charest what he needs to win about 2 weeks before the vote.

If Charest can win a majority in QC, I think you will see a fed election call within 7-14 days of that. If Charest loses small/big it doesnt matter, the Cons will be prepared to take C-288 to court.

Also, as per the ads - it was rumored on CPAC that the Cons had ads ready for Ignatieff and Rae ready to go right after the leadership debate depending on who one. They never expected Dion (who did who wasnt a Dion supporter) and so they had no adds ready. I think the only reason these ads are coming out now is that his only real issue has been Kyoto (dog - what a joke) and so they are using his previous inaction and his timid nature to attack his leadership qualities.

Is it strange to anyone else that before the last election Harper was villified as a war monger/bigot/racist/inadequate leader etc. and someone who would have been booted by the C's had they not won a minoriy and now in a turn about that can only happen in Canada, he now appears to be the one with the most leadership qualities and the Liberals, who's scare tactics worked for the longest time dont seem to be working anymore.

Dont be surprised to see those drum adds back in a kind of, "isnt it amazing what can change in a year".

This election, of all in the last 15 years will probably be the most fun to watch because there are 2 players in the game for once.

MYK

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I think it's prime time for the Tories to call an election. The Libs aren't ready and are weak right now. Dion hasn't had enough time to show the nation who he is or what he's about.


I must say I'm pretty shocked though. The Conservatives told us that those anti Dion ads had nothing to do with an election, and I believed them because Conservatives never lie.

No matter what they say, I think the adds were there to test the waters of Dion's leadership. Had the adds tanked that is one less things the Cons can use. They (the english ones) havent tanked which is a sign that people dont vie Dion "Prime-Ministerial" blah blah blah.

Remember, when those adds were likely produced, the Cons were getting hit hard on the Enviro with Rona and Dion was getting off nearly scott free off his previous inaction over Kyoto.

There is no doubt it was an election primer, I dont think you can call them election adds with they are 2 months before an election. Also remember that the new election spending laws limit what a party can spend so if the Cons have buckets of cash, its good to spend it before the election call when you are limited.

MYK

[mykalberta]

I was just reading on this on www.cbc.ca

I just had to paste this Layton Quote - its no wonder everyone thinks Politicians are slimeballs.

It would be like me saying "you said you would hand food out to everyone in the world - when the person actually said he/she would hand food to the homeless"

[
NDP Leader Jack Layton said it would be hypocritical for Harper to ignore the bill if it becomes law.

"I think Mr. Harper is turning his back on what he called for when he was in opposition," Layton said. "He said [then] that the government, particularly in a minority government, had to respect … the democratic will of the House of Commons."

During the last federal election campaign, Harper urged the Senate not to interfere with the "democratic will of the elected House."
]

MYK

[Slava]

^^ I think that the only people who were swayed to consider the conservatives as a result of those ads were already conservative voters though! Those ads were basically useless.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

There is no doubt it was an election primer, I dont think you can call them election adds with they are 2 months before an election. Also remember that the new election spending laws limit what a party can spend so if the Cons have buckets of cash, its good to spend it before the election call when you are limited.

MYK

I think that's splitting hairs, MYK. To me, they are pure and simple election ads - whether or not they are a month or 2 before an election is called.

And I think your 2nd part reinforces that they are - while at the same time showing a smart move by the Tories. Put an election ad out, before an election is actually called, so you don't have to worry about election spending laws. I guess that is the advantage of being the government, minority or not.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I was just reading on this on www.cbc.ca

I just had to paste this Layton Quote - its no wonder everyone thinks Politicians are slimeballs.

It would be like me saying "you said you would hand food out to everyone in the world - when the person actually said he/she would hand food to the homeless"

[
NDP Leader Jack Layton said it would be hypocritical for Harper to ignore the bill if it becomes law.

"I think Mr. Harper is turning his back on what he called for when he was in opposition," Layton said. "He said [then] that the government, particularly in a minority government, had to respect … the democratic will of the House of Commons."

During the last federal election campaign, Harper urged the Senate not to interfere with the "democratic will of the elected House."
]

MYK

REally? Disagree, fine, but....to me that's an effective strategy by Layton. If the Tories can use Dion's/the Liberals own words against them, then why can't other parties do the same to the Tories?

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Slava

^^ I think that the only people who were swayed to consider the conservatives as a result of those ads were already conservative voters though! Those ads were basically useless.

I am assuming you mean the Dion adds?

The first add is direct barage back and forth between Dion and Ignatieff.

I think it has alot more weight than people give it credit for. Its one thing to have a bruding American style add like the drum add which talk about gloom and doom, its another to take a mans words (partially in context) and use it against him.

Everyone thinks that Canada is above negative advertising, the truth is they arent and they are the only adds that have been shown to have a real affect on swaying votes.

MYK

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

REally? Disagree, fine, but....to me that's an effective strategy by Layton. If the Tories can use Dion's/the Liberals own words against them, then why can't other parties do the same to the Tories?

Umm, my point was Harper's quote was directed toward an UNELECTED SENATE not affecting elected politicians laws etc.

If you cant see the difference between that and the Cons not following through on a law that has no rules (its like saying murder is bad, but we wont do anything about it), well then I guess we will agree to disagree.

Cheers.

MYK

[MarchHare]

Everyone thinks that Canada is above negative advertising, the truth is they arent and they are the only adds that have been shown to have a real affect on swaying votes.

Negative attack ads certainly do sway voters in Canada, but not in the way you think they do. Who can forget the classic attack ad the Tories ran in 1993? Voter backlash over that ad is largely attributed as being the final nail that reduced their majority government to a mere two seats in parliament.

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?...&curtab=2222_1