Friday, September 26, 2008

Day 20: A few quick afternoon observations














Losers: Voters looking for a clear choice on the left. Last night I was at a political event and overheard a guy (who I suspect was a Liberal) say that "it doesn't matter who gets elected. We'll still end up with the same government." It sounds to me like voters are torn on the left (and have given up hope of forming government). To be honest, I think their choice will boil down to who they believe to be the least negative alternative: who's worst, who's second worst, who's left?

Winner: Electoral [gender] equity. It would seem all five major parties have made strides since the last election in getting more female candidates involved in the process as the number of women running has reached a record high of 438. Although, I'm not sure what the end result will be (how many will end up getting elected to the commons?) as it would seem a majority of females are parking their influential votes with the non-traditional parties.

Losers: Anonymous Liberal sources for airing their dirty laundry to the press. I see it all came to a head yesterday for the Grits as a named source is now telling the unnamed sources to "shut up!" You go Iggy!

Winner: The people in the riding of Kildonan--St. Paul for no longer having an anti-Zionist candidate as a possible choice on the 14th. Things have a way of working themselves out. Now, if only Layton will do the same with problematic candidate, Samira Laouni, in the Montreal riding of Bourassa?

Policy winner: Stephen Harper's message regarding the economy. Not only were the Tories successful in casting Dion as a risk in unstable times, they are now sending out a clever message in an attempt to convince Canadians that Harper's leadership, coupled with a strong electoral mandate, is the only plan for the country's economy. And they're doing it without using the word "majority" folks! Full marks to whoever came up with that.

Losers: Grits and dippers who were hoping yesterday's Nanos poll was an anomaly.

Local Winners: New Brunswick Tory campaigns. Specifically ones looking to break through like in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, Fredericton, Saint John, Madawaska-Restigouche and the Miramichi. They all have to be very pleased with the manner in which the numbers moved nationally yesterday in their favour, especially if the 14th turns into a referendum on the carbon tax and Dion's leadership. On the flip side, that poll must have sent a few shockwaves through Liberal campaign headquarters.

Best line: Stephen Harper: "I should have told the media that when I called this general election, I did it to give Garth Turner that byelection he promised."

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so relieved to see more women running, I hope more get elected because of it. Even the worst of them couldn't mess it up more than the men.

Anonymous said...

I could care less if Canadians elected a parliament with 100% women or 100% men. I just want the best people in their.

The worst thing a political party can do is to create some kind of quota like the Liberals did.

Anonymous said...

Dion has painted himself into a corner on this one by saying no deficit, not ever. Canadians know that deficit financing is needed at times of financial uncertainty.

Anonymous said...

Unless someone else can prove to me that all his/her promises will come true without a tax increase, I will vote for Harper. Let's face it, we all know this is not possible because both NDP and Liberals are promising millions to any group they talk too because they know they have nothing to lose. If by some freak chance they formed a minority then we would have to pay with double the promises - I think at that point it would be cheaper to live in the US.

Anonymous said...

It wouldn't matter who leads the Liberals. They're corrupt and still haven't proven that they are for any but winning over power for power's sake (to an even greater extreme than Harper and the Tories).

LeDrew was right, stick a fork in them, they're done, just like the British Liberals of a century ago.

Dan F said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

I watched the CBC tell Hughes of her firing and she seemed miffed. If she apologized then she's guilty. People don't apologize unless they realize they've made a mistake. Unfortunately for Hughes it was a severe mistake. She should be charged with a hate crime. Dion did the right thing. Even if you don't like his politics he should be commended for the firing. Sharna Sugarman Kingston, ON

Anonymous said...

I love all these anti-conservative comments riddled in the blogosphere. Folks get over the fear scaring tactics that are being used. Remember give the man a chance for 4 years, we had the life sucking Liberals for 13 years and it got us nowhere.

For a country that prides itself of being at the forefront of change as we scream for all the other countries to change. We seem to want to take a step back and hide as we are faced with changes.

Do we as a people want the same old as same old that the Liberal have given when the have been in power.

I for one will not vote them in!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

***For the adolescents out there, name calling and profanity will not be permitted on this blog***

Anonymous said...

The last thing this country needs right now is Stephan Dion and his tax on everything.

Anonymous said...

I find it very sobering that for the month of july the government ran a 1.7 billion dollar surplus and the federal Liberals are calling for increases in consumption taxes.

nbt said...

It wouldn't matter who leads the Liberals. They're corrupt and still haven't proven that they are for any but winning over power for power's sake (to an even greater extreme than Harper and the Tories).

Anon [7:24 PM], it would seem that even a senior Liberal who ran Gerard Kennedy's campaign would agree:

It's the opposite of helpful and tells Canadians that the Liberal party cares more about itself than it does about Canadians.

Anonymous said...

Canada is going to face tough economic waters ahead, now is not the time to put a professor at the helm, we need a captain who can guide us through. I just watched Dion getting "mad" at Harper for his recession comments, does anyone take this guy seriously, other than Gerard Kennedy who helped elected this mockery of a "leader"? I love my country and that's why I'm voting Conservative this election.

Anonymous said...

I just got through watching Dion on CPAC's daily campaign review. Dion should trash the "we care and they don't" theme. Everyone cares, the election is about how to get there, and which things to do take top priority.

Anonymous said...

So, what happened to nbpolitico? This has really turned out to be a Tory blog. I was hoping to come here for some balance, but come on ...

nbt said...

There's still two weeks left, be patient. The best is yet to come.

Rob said...

Re Daniel Allain v. Brian Murphy:

"How severe is the Murphy dissing? Sleuth got one call this week from a Tory who wanted him to know the company that cares for Murphy's lawn at his home was using a power leaf blower to clean the property. Apparently the caller thought this ran counter to the Liberal Green Shift. Geez . . ."

nbt said...

Anon [10:50 am],

Just another thing. What do you consider to be balance? If you look back at all 20 days I've posted quick hitters, at least 18 of those either a) criticized Tory blunders b) gave the NDP props for something positive in their campaign or c) gave a local Liberal a compliment. If that's unbalanced, then I would hate to venture what is?

Plus, if you read any of the papers, my criticism of Stephane Dion is not alone (which is why he is down in the polls). Not to mention, there have been numerous Atlantic Liberal MPs who have spoken out against (or re jigged) the carbon tax. And don't forget Stephen LeDrew and all those anonymous Liberal sources who have spoken unfavourably in public about either their leader, the campaign or the policies.

So in my defense, my blogs have been far from blind partisanship.

nbt said...

However, you can still find Brian on the web -- his campaign website is humming right along at www.murphy2008.ca.

Humming right along? Wow, and I'm being accused of being biased? lol

I agree with spinks, the sleuth section is definitely screwing up the province:

"For those not familiar with it, "The Sleuth" is essentially a gossip column and calls itself as much. Sometimes it is right, most times it is not. It is however a fairly popular section of the paper. Most people would view it as pretty harmless but here is why you should be concerned.

Media outlets are fed rumours, gossip and innuendo every single day from phone calls, faxes, e-mails or people talking on the street. Responsible media outlets then send reporters out to check the facts and find out what the story is, if there is one. Not so with "The Sleuth". As long as there's a shread of possibility (and often even if there is not) they print it. It is shoddy journalism and we should demand better. The Irving papers has been failing miserably in recent years as they continue to cut the number of journalists and bureaus they have in New Brunswick. Local news content continues to dwindle. "The Sleuth" is a cheap way to try to put in some local content while doing minimal actual journalism. That type of journalism screws up our province and rips us as readers and buyers of the newspapers off."

Anonymous said...

I find nbt's blogs quite balanced myself. Comes across as a guy who isn't scared to call them tlike he sees them.