2011 Canadian Election Thread

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ark2

I don't think Quebec is necessarily left or right of centre. They vote for the party that bribes them the most. From a political party's perspective, they are like a high class whore. Throw some serious cash at them and they will be yours for one night and one night only. The other provinces are the kind that you have to build relationships with. You have to take them out, show that you are a decent guy, the kind that can support them and offer stability.

I don't buy that for a second. People everywhere vote for their own best interest. If a party does/says something against the oilsands for example then you can expect that Albertans will vote against them next opportunity.

That's not a shot either - it's just that people are not as altruistic in the rest of Canada as you might believe.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't buy that for a second. People everywhere vote for their own best interest. If a party does/says something against the oilsands for example then you can expect that Albertans will vote against them next opportunity.

That's not a shot either - it's just that people are not as altruistic in the rest of Canada as you might believe.

I disagree. Many people have a sense of loyalty to their party. Sure, that can be broken, but not by the whims that you see in Quebec. I think a lot of people are willing to put up with a considerable amount of crap before they take their vote elsewhere. With Quebeckers, they may change their minds three times in the same election campaign. You don't see polls fluctuate anywhere else in the country like they do in Quebec. It's part of their culture. The idea that they are special and will go to the highest bidder.

[Slava]

^OK, so how do explain the shift in Ontario to th NDP and CPC? I think that is very similar?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Slava

^OK, so how do explain the shift in Ontario to th NDP and CPC? I think that is very similar?

It wasnt a shift towards either party as much as it was a shift away from the Liberals...IMO only.

Same could be said in Que. as well....it wasnt as much a shift to the NDP as much as it was a massive shift away from the BQ.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Slava

^OK, so how do explain the shift in Ontario to th NDP and CPC? I think that is very similar?

The conservatives have been working for a long time for the break through they experienced in Ontario. It was predicted at least in part since the beginning of the election. The NDP already had a voice in Ontario. They gained all the anti-Harper vote when the Liberals fell apart.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by evman150

Ripping on a network for not calling the election result in an orderly manner?

Unreal. Ironically, it's called being "conservative" in their coverage. Nobody wants a repeat of the 2000 US election.

Neo-cons will complain about anything.

For someone with a smarty pants big word schtick, you sure don't know how to use "neo-con".

When did you become such a disparaging prick?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

The conservatives have been working for a long time for the break through they experienced in Ontario. It was predicted at least in part since the beginning of the election. The NDP already had a voice in Ontario. They gained all the anti-Harper vote when the Liberals fell apart.

I get it, the holy Conservatives gained their increase through hard work while the unholy NDP gained their increase through lucky circumstances.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

For someone with a smarty pants big word schtick, you sure don't know how to use "neo-con".

When did you become such a disparaging prick?

It drives me nuts the way people use the term "neo-con" when they clearly have no idea what it actually means.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I get it, the holy Conservatives gained their increase through hard work while the unholy NDP gained their increase through lucky circumstances.

Holy has nothing to do with it. Sure the Conservative won more than they figured but, Ontario was always considered to be a place where they would gain more seats.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Ark2

It drives me nuts the way people use the term "neo-con" when they clearly have no idea what it actually means.

Didn't you know, everyone right of centre is automatically a neo-con...

Then again, everyone left of me is a communist so I guess I'll let it slide.

[killer_carlson]

It's like the inclusion of the "neo" part makes it a derogatory term.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Addick

Then why hasn't someone stepped up and done exactly this?

They have. TSN and Sportsnet do the sports, and CTV, Global and others do news.

Most of the big shows aren't on CBC, so they're not competing with that anyways.

Next time around, TSN might win the rights for HNIC, and what will CBC do then?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I don't think Macleans is left leaning anymore at all. You can argue that they went that way a bit with Coyne endorsing the Liberals, but they've been fairly conservative/middle of the road for awhile now.

No kidding. I am always surprised these days when I pick up a Macleans.

They don't lean left anymore thats for sure.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

For someone with a smarty pants big word schtick, you sure don't know how to use "neo-con".

When did you become such a disparaging prick?

He has always been like that.

[spotthefan]

On a slightly related topic, Andrew Coyne has an interesting blog on the Maclean's site.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/05/06/t...re-getting-at/

[Resolute 14]

The Barmaid's election is still generating controversy. The defeated Liberal candidate wants the election in that riding overturned, and the Conservative candidate is calling for a by-election. The national parties aren't joining it. Seems to be a local mess only:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2012943/

Meanwhile, the absentee-MP herself finally spoke out... mostly in English:

http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...b=EdmontonHome

[CaptainCrunch]

The NDP better pray that Jack is well enough to run in four years, because I expect that the gong show that his MP's are going to create are going to create a lot of ammo for his opponents on a riding level.

Between this girl, and another rookie that has already spouted that Quebec separation is a-ok by NDP standards, the party whip is going to be walking around with his arm in a cast by the end of year one.

At first I thought the Liberal's were done, but if they do a credible job of rebuilding the NDP Jack Surge will be short lived.

[Hanni]

As long as everything was done legally I don't see the issue with any of the candidates. It's their own fault they elected a terrible candidate, now they have to deal with it. Maybe next time people will pay more attention to who they are voting for.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

At first I thought the Liberal's were done, but if they do a credible job of rebuilding the NDP Jack Surge will be short lived.

This is why I think the Conservative majority is a blessing in disguise for the Liberals. They have time now to find a leader they can rally behind, rebuild their party's reputation and raise funds without the threat of an election hanging over their heads.

If the Liberals do it right, and the NDP does what's expected, they can easily overtake the Dippers, especially if Layton walks before the next election.

And if Layton is smart, he will. Given his health, he should spend the nest 2-3 years basking in the glow of being the opposition leader, then retire a political hero and leave it to someone else to clean up the mess.

[Azure]

Cause a mess will be made by the NDP, that much is certain.