Calgary Centre Federal By-election - Nov 26 (UPDATE - Crockatt wins for CPC)

[SebC]

Originally Posted by J pold

So I've been tremendously busy these past few weeks and haven't paid much attention to this election, despite being able to vote in it. Not a fan of Crockett given her actions over the past few weeks, and while the other candidates have reached out to me in some form or another she has done essentially nothing to deserve my vote other then fly the CPC Flag.

I wish I could like Harvey Locke more than I do. Something about him just seems disingenuous and he embodies the smugness of the Toronto elitist wing that I can't stand about the Liberal Party. Overall the NDP and the Greens have done by far the most to earn my vote with regular door knocking and campaigning but I cannot bring myself to vote for a party associated with Thomas Mulcair. Which now leaves only the Greens, who I never thought I’d vote for at any level. Ah, someone just tell me what to think.

Either vote Green, or better yet suck it up and vote Liberal.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by J pold

So I've been tremendously busy these past few weeks and haven't paid much attention to this election, despite being able to vote in it. Not a fan of Crockett given her actions over the past few weeks, and while the other candidates have reached out to me in some form or another she has done essentially nothing to deserve my vote other then fly the CPC Flag.

I wish I could like Harvey Locke more than I do. Something about him just seems disingenuous and he embodies the smugness of the Toronto elitist wing that I can't stand about the Liberal Party. Overall the NDP and the Greens have done by far the most to earn my vote with regular door knocking and campaigning but I cannot bring myself to vote for a party associated with Thomas Mulcair. Which now leaves only the Greens, who I never thought I’d vote for at any level. Ah, someone just tell me what to think.

Same here. Locke on paper is a great candidate and the right strategic choice but does come off a bit aloof and arrogant. Turner also has quite an ego, but in a more positive way if that makes sense.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

What terrible reasons to vote for a candidate. This is civic engagement?

I guess we deserve the government we elect.

I wasn't being serious there, I called her Crokpot. Honestly I'm glad I no longer live in the riding because I don't like any of them. I would love to see the Liberals blame Justin though.

[Knut]

^ I am in the riding and unfortunately I have no idea who to vote for.

CPC - Generally i am supporter, but i am not really a fan of Crockett (who is ? )
Libs - Locke is fiscal conservative, but is also a conservationist and I am not sure that jives. It is really tough for vote for a party that has Justin Trudeau and Bob Rae in positions of power. This is the closest i have ever come to voting liberal. The worst thing that happened for Locke was Justin Trudeau and McGuinty coming out in support.
NDP - NOPE
Greens - Would be a protest vote. Plan and Simple



In short... i will likely decide when i get up to the booth.

[AR_Six]

This is the problem... I mean I can't vote here but I used to live in that riding and damned if I'd be able to figure it out. Am I voting for a national party? Then I'm voting CPC, as I have for the last 8 years because I don't fundamentally object to his policies, by and large. Am I voting for the best candidate? Then it's probably Turner. But there's just no way to vote for anyone running under the Green Party banner. They are an unmitigated disaster that should never have any authority in this country and placing a vote is a tacit endorsement of their platform, I don't think I'd be able to do it.

I wonder if there are a lot of CPC voters who feel likewise, which would suggest to me that Turner might actually have won if he was running as an independent. Maybe there are good reasons I'm out to lunch, but what do people think about that? Would it have benefited him to not be associated with May et al.?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

This is the problem... I mean I can't vote here but I used to live in that riding and damned if I'd be able to figure it out. Am I voting for a national party? Then I'm voting CPC, as I have for the last 8 years because I don't fundamentally object to his policies, by and large. Am I voting for the best candidate? Then it's probably Turner. But there's just no way to vote for anyone running under the Green Party banner. They are an unmitigated disaster that should never have any authority in this country and placing a vote is a tacit endorsement of their platform, I don't think I'd be able to do it.

I wonder if there are a lot of CPC voters who feel likewise, which would suggest to me that Turner might actually have won if he was running as an independent. Maybe there are good reasons I'm out to lunch, but what do people think about that? Would it have benefited him to not be associated with May et al.?

If Turner or Locke were running for the CPC it would be a runaway win.

[edslunch]

Does anyone know where the results will be posted? Would it be just the one result or per station?

[Rerun]

In the end, in our system, the individual MP generally has very little power and ability to effect change.... no matter what kind of candidate they are.

So I think you are best to just vote for the party you support the most and just ignore the qualities or lack thereof, of the individual candidate running in this by-election.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Hesla

If Turner or Locke were running for the CPC it would be a runaway win.

Right but what if they were just non-affiliated? If they were running as independents, Locke wouldn't be burdened by the recent McGuinty and Trudeau statements and Turner wouldn't be saddled with the general and largely in my view correct perspective that the Greens shouldn't be encouraged in the form of votes of any kind.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I don't think running as an independent would matter for Locke or Turner. As independents its just as simple to attack them for being a Liberal or Green by saying "If Locker (or Turner) wins, they'll caucus with the Liberals (or Green) and primarily vote in line with them, so a vote for them is no different than a vote for the Liberals (or Green)". And sadly with the average intelligence of the electorate, it wouldn't be hard to convince them of that.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Rerun

In the end, in our system, the individual MP generally has very little power and ability to effect change.... no matter what kind of candidate they are.

So I think you are best to just vote for the party you support the most and just ignore the qualities or lack thereof, of the individual candidate running in this by-election.

That works so well for the people in Calgary-West!

[Knut]

^ Yeah I still think we need an MP that will go to bat for his riding, while supporting the party.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

I wonder if there are a lot of CPC voters who feel likewise, which would suggest to me that Turner might actually have won if he was running as an independent. Maybe there are good reasons I'm out to lunch, but what do people think about that? Would it have benefited him to not be associated with May et al.?

Given our current system, I don't think Turner would have made any headway if he ran as an independent. From the onset it seams as though the Greens have had their eye on this seat and have invested heavily in the riding. I don't think Turner could have raised enough resources to run a campaign like he has without the Greens backing.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Rerun

In the end, in our system, the individual MP generally has very little power and ability to effect change.... no matter what kind of candidate they are.

So I think you are best to just vote for the party you support the most and just ignore the qualities or lack thereof, of the individual candidate running in this by-election.

While what you say is mostly true it would still be nice if the CPC ran a better candidate. It is (was) a safe riding, you'd think lots of good candidates would want the job. I am a CPC supporter but it won't break my heart if one of the other parties wins a by-election. If that has to happen I'd prefer the Green candidate.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

That works so well for the people in Calgary-West!

Originally Posted by Hesla

^ Yeah I still think we need an MP that will go to bat for his riding, while supporting the party.

Honestly, has the riding suffered because Rob Anders is the MP?... other than day to day embarrassment that is.

What problems are there that Anders hasn't addressed? How would the riding be better off if there was a Liberal rep?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Honestly, has the riding suffered because Rob Anders is the MP?... other than day to day embarrassment that is.

What problems are there that Anders hasn't addressed? How would the riding be better off if there was a Liberal rep?

If Anders lost Calgary West you better believe Harper would go into full nuclear mode and actually start paying attention to us.

Calgary West is like the Edmonton Oilers of Cdn politics.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Honestly, has the riding suffered because Rob Anders is the MP?... other than day to day embarrassment that is.

What problems are there that Anders hasn't addressed? How would the riding be better off if there was a Liberal rep?

Well, Rerun, fell free to showcase all the great things Rob has done for his constituency. If he's been such a great public servant, it shouldn't be that hard no?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Well, Rerun, fell free to showcase all the great things Rob has done for his constituency. If he's been such a great public servant, it shouldn't be that hard no?

We are mentioned in every article about useless politicians! We are noticed!

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Well, Rerun, fell free to showcase all the great things Rob has done for his constituency. If he's been such a great public servant, it shouldn't be that hard no?

Let's be fair: Rerun never said that. His claim is that it makes no difference, not that Anders is fantastic.

[Senator Clay Davis]

He's not suggesting he's a bad public servant at all. In fact his post suggests Rob takes care of all of his constituents issues, otherwise why say...

Originally Posted by Rerun

What problems are there that Anders hasn't addressed? How would the riding be better off if there was a Liberal rep?

Clearly he feels Rob is a more than adequate representative of his riding, or at the least, that a Liberal would be a worse representative than Rob (impossible but he is a CPC supporter through and through). I think Rerun finds his gaffes embarassing, but is more than pleased Rob never votes out of party line.