Federal Election Called for Oct 19, 2015

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Daradon

So Kenney moved? Who's my MP now?

Or I guess you mean with the additional seats. GUess the borders got redrawn in my riding too. I'll have to take a look if I'm with the old seat, or the new seat.

Yeah its the new boundaries. So Kenney didn't move, its that his riding was different last time, and he is running in Calgary Midnapore this time. The biggest challenger appears to be Weston who is a lawyer and NDP. I don't know if I can bring myself to do that though...

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What's the general take on Harper blasting the Alberta-NDPs in Quebec, in French.

Seems cheap.

I agree.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What's the general take on Harper blasting the Alberta-NDPs in Quebec, in French.

Seems cheap.

I'm not sure that I see the issue. Is it that they are a provincial branch and shouldn't factor in to the federal election? Or is it that it was in French and that Alberta politics shouldn't be discussed in French?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Dan02

I think though this has a rather interesting side benefit these economists are ignoring. Probably the most substantial part of the underground (untaxed) economy exists within the home renovation sector, these tax credits could end up bringing a substantial amount of the under the table deals back on top so they can claim the credit.

I read that elsewhere yesterday as well. Is there evidence somewhere that shows a bump from the temporary program from a couple years back?

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What's the general take on Harper blasting the Alberta-NDPs in Quebec, in French.

Seems cheap.

Harper sure has an interesting tactic here. He is hammering the provincial governments in Alberta and Ontario, which will be interesting as clearly they were elected by a majority in the province. Not saying that there is no room there for attacks, but its definitely odd. I mean sure, the Ontario and Alberta governments have their faults or questionable plans (Alberta hasn't even done anything yet), but coming from a guy who hasn't balanced a budget in 8 years and has us sliding back into recession despite claims to the contrary its little rich.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What's the general take on Harper blasting the Alberta-NDPs in Quebec, in French.

Seems cheap.

I also wonders if it backfires a little in Alberta. I mean I get the strategy in Quebec. The NDP's been there a while, the electorate may be getting tired of them, swing a few back to the Conservative Party.

But to say the NDP in Alberta is a failed experiment? They haven't even announced a budget yet. Some of the fence sitters that went PC to NDP (like me) provincial last time, might take those statements as a slight against their decision making, especially since the PM's statement is untrue. Not saying it's a successful 'experiment', just saying there's no way to know yet. That's the biggest thing that angers me. They're just making stuff up. It's not even a grey area, well this was good, this was bad, so it depends on your perspective. It's blatantly false. Course, I'm not his target audience anyway. Though I should be, I voted for him last time. Even though I really dislike Kenney. Grumble grumble.

All that said, there are seats to win in Quebec, and the Conservatives are probably thinking they are safe in Alberta, so it's a calculated and smart gamble. Plus, it wasn't meant for our ears, though in todays world, even being spoken in French, I don't know how one would think it wouldn't become an issue here. I would argue that we see more orange seats in Alberta than the pollster predict right now though. Conservatives will still hold more, but I think we will see some significant losses. Right now the CBC tracer has them holding most of them. I don't think that will be the case.

It's funny that I don't consider myself his target audience. I really should be. I've voted Conservative many times. He should be pitching to people exactly like me, but he's either become too ideological, or is too worried about his base. He has alienated many small c, moderate conservatives since gaining his majority. That's where you'll see swings. I know Alberta still has many dyed in the wool, Conservative or bust voters, but I think there's more of us moderates than many of those people think. Those will be votes that will swap.

[GirlySports]

projections currently are 3 oranges and 3 red seats in alberta and the rest (28) blue? wonder if that'll change.

-----

Quebec will be interesting. The orange wave last time because of Layton's campaign and Ignatieff being a doofus. With Trudeau this time (and no Layton), do they switch back? Some star Liberal candidates who didn't run last time are back.

[CaptainCrunch]

I understand the hammering of Ontario because Trudeau is marching around with Wynne who is basically campaigning for the Federal Liberals. At the same time Wynne and her government are incredibly unpopular now in Ontario.

Its also an easy battle for Harper to pick.

Not sure on going after Notley and the NDP government here, I guess the idea is to go after some of the uneasiness felt in this province over what the NDP are doing and what they intend to do.

To me the major battle ground is still going to be Ontario and the battle between the NDP and Conservatives, outside of some fortress ridings, I can really see the majority of seat losses happening to the Liberals if Mulcair has a good campaign.

I can also see some late night angst by undecided voters or Liberal Voters who are more moderate and don't want to see an NDP government.

This is going to be a nasty campaign, I have no doubt that Mulcair and Harper are really going to rip into each other, at the same time there is a personal dislike between Mulcair and Trudeau, and Harper and Trudeau, which should lead to an interesting leaders debate next week.

I think that Trudeau's fortunes hinge on the first debate, if he doesn't have a good performance he's going to fall out of this race in a hurry and the battle will be over voters abandoning the Liberal ship.

[2Stonedbirds]

Alberta's NDP budget hasn't been announced as I'm sure they are waiting for the federal election to pass.

Trying to ride the high they are experiencing from the provincial election I'm sure, wouldn't want to hurt their chances federally with what may be a damning budget.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Alberta's NDP budget hasn't been announced as I'm sure they are waiting for the federal election to pass.

Trying to ride the high they are experiencing from the provincial election I'm sure, wouldn't want to hurt their chances federally with what may be a damning budget.

I would agree with that, I'm sure Mulcair phoned Notley and begged her to lay low and not introduce anything controversial.

[2Stonedbirds]

Yeah. Not a fan of Harpers blow hard comments, but the NDP are clearly playing possum on the budget.

The PCs attack style campaign may work if they were not incumbents. I suspect the public slagging may hurt them more than help; Libs are more or less done before the gate has dropped but Mulcair is going to do everything he can to ride what's happened here in Alberta.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I understand the hammering of Ontario because Trudeau is marching around with Wynne who is basically campaigning for the Federal Liberals. At the same time Wynne and her government are incredibly unpopular now in Ontario.

Its also an easy battle for Harper to pick.

Yup. Also I believe Wynne and Harper have been butting heads since she got elected so a lot of it probably even boils down to personal politics and dislike. Again, the Alberta gamble is weird, and doesn't really make sense factually, but I'm thinking it's exactly that, a strategic gamble.

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Alberta's NDP budget hasn't been announced as I'm sure they are waiting for the federal election to pass.

Trying to ride the high they are experiencing from the provincial election I'm sure, wouldn't want to hurt their chances federally with what may be a damning budget.

Very good point.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Daradon

But to say the NDP in Alberta is a failed experiment? They haven't even announced a budget yet. Some of the fence sitters that went PC to NDP (like me) provincial last time, might take those statements as a slight against their decision making, especially since the PM's statement is untrue. Not saying it's a successful 'experiment', just saying there's no way to know yet. That's the biggest thing that angers me. They're just making stuff up. It's not even a grey area, well this was good, this was bad, so it depends on your perspective. It's blatantly false

The NDP have done lots so far; increased corporate taxes, increased carbon taxes, raised the minimum wage, spent 6 billion more than we expected already WITHOUT giving us a budget, increased environmental regulations and most of all NOT given any clear indication of where royalties are going. Not doing certain things is without question just as damaging as doing certain things. Anyway, it might be too early to call it a failed experiment, but it's also not like we haven't seen the direction we're heading.

I can't believe Harper is making the NDP look like a smart vote. That is actually unbelievable.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Alberta's NDP budget hasn't been announced as I'm sure they are waiting for the federal election to pass.

Trying to ride the high they are experiencing from the provincial election I'm sure, wouldn't want to hurt their chances federally with what may be a damning budget.

This is exactly it. I am not surprised the NDP is waiting till after the election for their budget. Even though Ceci claims their deficit will be around what the PC's announced I think it will be much worse.

I think their budget would torpedo any chance of NDP stealing seats in Alberta.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Yup. Also I believe Wynne and Harper have been butting heads since she got elected so a lot of it probably even boils down to personal politics and dislike. Again, the Alberta gamble is weird, and doesn't really make sense factually, but I'm thinking it's exactly that, a strategic gamble.



Very good point.

Beyond personal dislikes, Wynne has tried to shift the blame for her incompetents on the feds not helping her bail herself out.

Harper has basically told her to clean up her own mess.

I think the last straw in that relationship was when one of her major platforms pieces during the election was the implementation of a unaffordable provincial pension, and that the Feds would help pay for it, to which Harper basically responded with a hearty "Are you fracking stupid, I never told you any such thing moron"

Like I said right now the Liberal name is mud provincially in Ontario, and I think that Trudeau is making a huge tactical mistake in even being seen standing int he same room with Wynne.

[Daradon]

Yeah. I know the arguments, but I don't know enough about Ontario politics to make an informed decision on which one is to blame, or more optimistically, which one has the better plans. As with most things, there's probably fault on both sides.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The Wynne thing bothers the hell out of me. She's basically a provincial politician electioneering on a federal level. That doesn't, to me, seem appropriate. The inverse is true with respect to Harper taking shots at provincial governments. It's acceptable to look at a policy implemented on a provincial level and talk about why it has or hasn't worked, but the petty "she's just angry because I won't help her ruin Ontario", or
"PM's will always have better relationships with the premiers who are running their provinces well" or some similar quote, I can't appreciate.

I have always appreciated Nenshi's hesitation to get involved in provincial campaigning, outside of a few instances where he commented directly on an issue rather than getting into a fight with a party or individual.

I recognize there's a difference in that the Mayor doesn't belong to a provincial version of a federal party, but that's just further evidence of the issues associated with party politics.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

The NDP have done lots so far; increased corporate taxes, increased carbon taxes, raised the minimum wage, spent 6 billion more than we expected already WITHOUT giving us a budget, increased environmental regulations and most of all NOT given any clear indication of where royalties are going. Not doing certain things is without question just as damaging as doing certain things. Anyway, it might be too early to call it a failed experiment, but it's also not like we haven't seen the direction we're heading.

I can't believe Harper is making the NDP look like a smart vote. That is actually unbelievable.

I am having trouble with the tone of your post. You are arguing against these things?

Increased environmental regulations. Bad. Got it.

Some of those others things I like too, just maybe not as drastic. The minimum wage definitely needed a big boost. Don't think I would gone to 15 though. Same with increased corporate tax. I would gone to 11 instead of 12.

As for the six billion extra spent, I'll look more into that. Sounds a little like partisan exaggeration.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I am having trouble with the tone of your post. You are arguing against these things?

Increased environmental regulations. Bad. Got it.

Some of those others things I like too, just maybe not as drastic. The minimum wage definitely needed a big boost. Don't think I would gone to 15 though. Same with increased corporate tax. I would gone to 11 instead of 12.

As for the six billion extra spent, I'll look more into that. Sounds a little like partisan exaggeration.

Arguing against borrowing an extra 6 billion without knowing why? No not at all. Who wouldn't love that? Environmental regulations must be good simply because they are "environmental", right?

My point was simply that saying we have no basis to judge our new government is not correct. Increasing taxes and expense to business is going to take time to prove one way or another. But if it sounds like I'm against these things, most likely I am.

Wynn is utterly stupid. I think there is hope for AB if only because she serves as such a wretched example of fiscal management.

[Jacks]

Just a guess on why Harper wants the Alberta NDP in the conversation. Mulcair is riding their wave still and drawing comparisions between the federal and provincial cousins. I'm guessing that closer to the election date if the NDP still haven't produced a budget that there will then be speculation about just how big the deficit will be. The Tories will then have free reign to speculate at how badly Alberta's budget will look and the only way the NDP can stop it is to address the issue, which they would rather avoid. Just a theory but I think there is an end game coming on that.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Just a guess on why Harper wants the Alberta NDP in the conversation. Mulcair is riding their wave still and drawing comparisions between the federal and provincial cousins. I'm guessing that closer to the election date if the NDP still haven't produced a budget that there will then be speculation about just how big the deficit will be. The Tories will then have free reign to speculate at how badly Alberta's budget will look and the only way the NDP can stop it is to address the issue, which they would rather avoid. Just a theory but I think there is an end game coming on that.

They already announced the budget won't come till after the federal election.