...Then there are the two entities with a chance of forming a government: the reformed Conservatives under Stephen Harper and the perennial default choice of Canadian politics, the Liberals, now with Paul Martin at the helm. For 11 years, the Liberals have governed Canada, and, by and large, they've governed it well. Simply ask yourself a variant of Ronald Reagan's famous question: Are you and your country better off today than you were a decade ago? The answer must be a resounding yes.There must have been a time when the declaration of a major newspaper for a candidate must have led to rousing cheers of "hurrah!" in the taverns and railway stations of the land. Even as I think of the diversity of new media as a watering down and even as I maintain the importance of the profession of journalism, I am more taken by Harper getting booed last night at Skydome and by the fact that the advance polls are up 60% from the last election. Will the Globe's call sway any voters lined up for a shoe shine?
The Globe Asks...
Posted by on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 in - 7 comments
Comments
SayNay? - June 23, 2004 6:14 PM
The Liberals have "governed" Canada over the last 11 years? I supposed you can say that they've "governed" the country in the same way as you can say your janitor "governs" your High School.
SayNay? - June 23, 2004 6:17 PM
I take it the high numbers on the advance polls means that these voters are p*ssed with the Liberals and want to cast their vote against them now in case they die before June 28.
Alan - June 23, 2004 6:21 PM
All will unfold in time...
SayNay? - June 23, 2004 7:05 PM
By the way, didn't the polls in 1984 have the Conservatives and the Liberals neck and neck? Result: Conservatives 211, Liberals 40 (now we have the Bloc, with 50 possible seats in PQ)
Couple of thoughts:
Paul Wells in MacLean's (June 18)writes:
"It’s a bit rich to watch [Paul Martin] go down fighting on grand principles like gay rights, choice in abortion, national unity and an independent foreign policy when for half a decade [he] cultivated as much ambiguity as possible on each of those issues."
"Dogs know what to do with polls" - John Diefenbaker
Alan - June 23, 2004 7:10 PM
All shall be known soon enough...but at 29% in Ontario against 42%, not much to guess about.
SayNay? - June 23, 2004 9:40 PM
June 22 Ipsos-Reid Express: Seat Projection Model Suggests Conservatives Take 110-114 Seats, Liberals 107-111, NDP 19-23, Bloc Quebecois 64-68 -- If Vote Held Tomorrow; Liberals (34%, Up 5 Points), Conservatives (28%, Down 4 Points), NDP (16%, Unchanged), Green (6%, Down 1 Point) – Bloc Quebecois (53% In Quebec Vs. 23% Liberal)(see http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2286)
SN suggests less for the Liberals as they won't get out the vote - if you're a "Chretien Liberal", why bother? Liberal's lose, Martin's leadership reviewed, the paper shredders work overtime, and the Chretienites are back in charge a la Stephane Dion.
Your June 20 pool change is probably right Al, but methinks you've got the Libs and Cons reversed.
Alan - June 23, 2004 10:10 PM
That pool makes one weird error - it has to be an error - in its seat allocations. I gives the Liberals 42% in Ontario against 30% for the Tories but only 107-111 Liberal seats nationally. With 108 in Ontario, I just do not understand how that works out.<p>I tihnk you are wrong on getting out the vote. Lots will vote against Martin but lots will vote against Harper too. With any luck a weak but balanced minority. Maybe for once the government we deserve.