Vote 2004

The long awaited election is here. Canada will decide who should govern them for the next 3-5 years. The liberals who are promising more healthcare spending and a Paul Martin-style democracy. The conservatives are promising lower taxes and not to drastically slash Canada's social programs. The NDP are promising more spending and to balance the budget over the business cycle. During this election Dave's won't making any rants but will frequently update this blog.

Dave's June 10th election blog:

The globe and mail picture was clearer. Bush extended his hand and Paul Martin hesitently looking at Bush's hand for a second and then shaked his hand. The front page made Bush sitting there with his hand out and Martin just sitting there. Also the US fears a minority government in Canada with the bloc and ndp holding the balance of power.

Dave's June 8th election blog:

Liberal Riding supports NDP candidate

There's no need for Layton to apologize

Well Martin isn't going to Reagan's funeral. I thought he would go for sure because it would only take a few hours and he could back in the afternoon to campaign.

It was done politically. The liberals want Stephen Harper not just his party saying stupid things. Harper probably won't say anything because if he says anything, Martin can criticize him of being subservient to the US and ask why he didn't attend the D-day cermenony?

Martin is taking enough time off from campaigning and this is the reason we have a governor-general, to attend tedious ceremonies.

Joe's June 8th election blog:

I would like to know what the other people think about this.

With Reagan dieing earlier this week, do you think Paul Martin should go to his funeral?

I would say probably yes, since him not going looks like he puts politics over human life. Although he is busy with the G-8 as well, I am sure Dubya is going to the funeral. We can remember the embarrasment with the King of Jordan dieing, when, for example the US sending 4 former prezes, and Cruton sending only the foreign affairs minister since he thought it wasn't important enough for some one of higher status to go.

For the record, the Governor General Clarkson is the offical representative for Canada. Former PM Mulroney is not considered a rep of Canada, but he is going, and is probably giving a speach.

Dave's June 7th election blog:

Liberals are in trouble in Quebec but surging in Alberta. For the first time in polling history the liberals support is even in Quebec and Alberta at 28%. It can be good thing or a bad thing for the liberals.

Joe's June 7th election blog:

Its a bad thing (for the Grits), because that is where the Liberals (correct me if I'm wrong) were at last election. They will be lucky to keep both their seats in Alberta. I guess its one of the flaws of the first past the post system that 30% of the vote can equal 0 seats.

Joe's June 4th election blog:

True me on this one.....

Most people in the Conservative Party do not like Anders. I don't either. That is one of the downfalls of a democraticly run party, he can mustard up enough support to get the nomination. I don't know how he does it.

Dave's June 3rd election blog:

Everybody wants a change because the liberals have been around too long. What about the conservatives in Alberta federally. Shouldn't they be voted out because they are running on the same principles for the past decade that make them a liability in the rest of the country.

Do these few MP's even reflect what the majoirty of Albertans think. Is Nelson Mandela a terrorist like Rob Anders said? Should Canada be annexing islands that could become a haven for millions of refrugees like Peter Goldring wants? Should Canada be governed by liberterian principles of Jason Kenney? And should Canada be forced to go to war at a foreign army's request because Myron Thompson's son serves for a foreign army?

I am unhappy with Paul Martin for falling back on his promise to run candidates democratically elected by their own ridings, for forcing people like Manley, Copps, Collenette, and Dhahiwall out in his caniballization of the liberal party. But voters have to vote responsibly. I want the debt tackled, Canada to be a soverign county, and don't want to represented on the world stage be a right or a left wing ideologue.

People are critizing Paul Martin for running a negative campaign. But if he was running a laid back campaign he would be criticized by Canadians after he lost for not telling them they were going to be governed by the spawn of Satan.

Joe's June 3rd election blog:

Ya, nice cabinet Dave. Spoken like a true red, try to scare people into something that would never happen. They don't even give Myron Thompson anything to do in the current cabinet.

Dave's June 2nd election blog:

Strategy

Okay, I'll admit Paul Martin is in trouble. He may lose the 2 biggest provinces in Canada where he use to have a straggle-hold. The only way he make up ground is the maritimes and in the west? But it looks like the breakthrough isn't going to happen? Paul Martin needs to change his strategy in 3 key areas.

1) Focus on the defict
-the public doesn't trust liberal spending and he doesn't want to make huge tax cuts
-the conservatives and ndp both plan razor thin budgets with huge tax cuts and social spending
-he can sell this to Canadians by saying reducing the debt will allow more spending and tax cuts for the future

2) Forgot Harper reveal the future conservative cabinet.

Trade Minister: Peter MacKay
Foreign Affairs: Stockwell Day
Justice Minister: Myron Thompson
Health: Jason Kenney
Multiculturalism: Rob Anders
Imperialism: Peter Goldring

3) Bring Back Chretien
-sure they hate each other but they both love winning more
-Martin is making the same mistake Gore made by turning his back on Clinton (if Clinton campaigned Gore would have won Arkansas and become the President)
-the bloc are leading the polls so far in St. Maurice, Chretien's former riding of Shawingian
-polls said Chretien shouldn't campaign in the Quebec referendum in '95 and he did and guess what side bounced back

New campaign slogan: Should Canada apolgize to the US?

Joe's June 2 election blog:

So did everyone see the heckling going on yesterday between the Tories and Grits. Funny sh1te. Paul McCallum still looks loaded.

I have to say a couple things about that abortion issue. First, I read that Merrifield actually said, and I think the Globe blew it out of proportion a bit. But at the same time, he should not have gone down that road. Abortion is not a partisian issue. I'm sure all parties in the house have Pro-Life and Pro-Choice people in them. Stephen did not too bad damage control, but he's gonna have to tell guys like that to think a bit harder before talking. Canada has already dealt with this issue. I don't think a Tory Government would try to bring this issue up again and change the law.

This is happening I think, because the Tories haven't had a policy convention to get policy stands on secondary issues like that. The Tories have their stands on the main issues already.

I can see this election going down the road of the Turner 84 or the St. Laurent 1958 falls for the Liberals.

There wasn't much vote spliting on the Left before, but this election it could happen in some ridings (ex. Edmonton-Strathcona)

I fairness to Edm-Strat., it is not really a left wing riding, just the University and Whyte Ave area helps them out, but it is mainly Conservative. I guess comparing to the rest of Alberta, it is more left.

Dave's June 1st election blog:

Do you really think that Peter MacKay won't make a deal with the bloc?

Peter's Power Pull

But the liberals appear to be on the rebound. They saw what Al Gore's abandoning the previous leader did to him. Expect Chretienites like Cauchon to be more visible as Paul Martin needs to rework his strategy.

Joe's June 1st Election Blog:

I don't see any formal alliances coming out of this election. The only one I can see sort of working is the Liberals and the NDP. It could end up being a pizza parl. like in Europe. This would be good in a way that political parties may have to learn how to work together better again instead of just heckeling each other.

Dave's May 31 election blog:

A minority government would be good for Canada. It would be good for the liberals, ndp, and conservatives to mend fences. But with the pending alliance between the conservatives and the bloc a majority liberal government would be better.

If that happens a vote for the conservatives is a vote for the separtists.

Joe's May 31st election blog:

I didn't realize you head is so far up your ass Dave.

Annoncements? He has announced those policies and money before, he is just re-doing it. I think most average people are starting to realize that the Liberals have been playing the same song and dance for the past decade. People were expecting change with Martin, and it is more of the same.

Paul didn't have a great week, but it definatly wasn't as bad as Jack's. I think Harper actually had the better week because the he didn't say anything to get the media all over him. Plus there was a bit of troubles with Scott Reid's comments about French, he dealed with him swiftly, and the subject hasn't been in the papers since.

As for the ad comments, I think the Liberal Party is the kings of making up stuff.

Dave's May 30th election blog:

You Heard It Here First

Does Jack Layton want to lose this election? Repel the clarity bill, he sounds like Jean Lapierre. Then Stephen Harper defends his firewall theory. Paul Martin had the best week because for the first time since becoming PM he actually announced some policy. As for Joe criticizing the liberals aggressive ads they are not negative. They aren't like the american ads where they make up stuff. The negative Stephen Harper ads are stuff he actually said.

Joe's May 28th election blog:

Well, since I am getting grilled by Dave of all people, I have to respond now.

I didn't say the NDP couldn't balance the books, I just said the taxes would be insanely high.

As for the Conservatives, they haven't come out with their "Blue Book" yet saying how the surpluses would work, so I'll have to wait and see on that one. They have been very vague on it.

John Crosbie would be awesome as a MP. They need more nuts disturbers in this race. People are complaining how dull the people are (like Harper), John is not dull at all. As for not having Belinda or Preston around, I don't know, but I would want them around to help.

Stephen does not look human. He looks like he has not seen the sun in years. The Conservatives should have gotten a guy that looks like Arthur Meighen. Scary looking guy.

He did have it easy against Stockboy Day.

It goes to show what I have been saying, Paul is not some "great leader". Its pretty sad he is having this kind of trouble with guys like Harper, Duceppe, and Layton. If there was half decent leadership in the other parties, the Liberals would be dead in the water.

What Jack said was stupid, what Stephen said was not as stupid, but still stupid enough (Sea King stuff).

As for the US stuff. Paul does look anti US in the ads. One thing I don't get, is that why do you have to be Anti-US to be Pro-Canada? The Gov't can be friendly with the yanks and say no to something they don't agree with them at the same time.

Dave's May 27th election blog:

Stephen Harper calls on Martin to withdrawl his commercials where he criticizes the US. Martin missed an opportunity to accuse Harper of lying to Canadians that he would respect Canada's sovereignty.

Then Jack Layton says Martin is responsible for Toronto's homeless deaths. Never mind there is 3 levels of government in Canada including the Toronto City council, private and not for profit organizations, and Paul Martin was just one minister. Then Stephen Harper tried to regain his position as the canidate most out of touch with reality when he says Martin isn't responsible for the homeless deaths but for putting sea king pilots in danger. People thought Chretien had it easy running against Stockwell Day.

Dave's May 26th election blog:

The NDP are forcasting a surplus of around $60B in the next 5 year the conservatives are forcasting $89B. Who has the fuzzy math? Everybody is made about a few million dollar wasted on the sponsorship scandal. How many billions would the conservatives have wasted by invading iraq, building prisons, and bringing George W Bush tax cuts to sink the economy. The NDP's tax policy doesn't sound that far-off. It's there stance on Quebec that scares me. But the liberals and conservatives have separtists working in key positions for them. Hey Joe, why don't we see Belinda or any former Preston Manning supporters helping Harper? He brings 73 year old Crosby, he might has well dig up Robert Borden too.

Economists sceptical about NDP's plan

Joe's May 26th election blog:

What's with Paul saying that he is giving billions of dollars into health care when only a few months ago, his gov't was sayng that there is no money to do anything in gov't right now. Don't forget people, three Liberal red books said that they would fix the health care payments so the system will be sustained. The system is in the worst shape in has been in.

Oh ya its politics alright. Its a d**ned if you do, d**ned if you don't time for Paul. I think my beef is that some people are still suckered in by him thinking he will actually do this. I know some people will vote for the Grits knowing not to expect it, but some people will vote because of it. That dime a dozen theory is so true.

What about Jack saying he will not run a deficit with all the spending. Its probably true cause he'll jack up our taxes to 50%. We'll have to call ourselves commrades too probably.

Dave's May 25th election blog:

Today, Paul Martin made a pledge to add $3 billion to the healthcare system each year. Yesterday, Paul Martin gave a good speech and said what Canadians want their politicans to say that Canada is different than the US. Steven Harper didn't have good day. Conservative premier Danny Williams spoke out in favour of Paul Martin's health plan. I was so mad about Paul Martin's democatic deficit that I pledged to vote for the NDP. But then I head of one of Jack Layton's green ideas in the book he wrote. He thought it would be good idea if Canadians made gardens on top of their houses for insulation. I am now leaning to the undecided and will probably will follow Joe Clark's advice and vote for the best candidate.

Joe's May 25th Election Blog:

Maybe you should take Joe Clark's advice and vote for the best candidate instead of party and leader. You can always just vote for the Greens. Here is a good site to see the different parties and policies, I suggest Dave should put it on his site. Issues

Dave's May 20th Election Blog:

I think there will lots of changes in this election. The liberals look like in worse shape in Quebec than in Ontario. The cons will get at least 10 seats in Ontario. The liberals and ndp will split the maritimes. Martin will make up ground in western canada with the former bc premier and glen murray. How about Ken Dryden running for the liberals.

Joe's May 20th Election Blog:

Dryden is an ex-PCer, guess he didn't like the new party. Get 5 seats in Alberta, right Dave? They are in trouble in Quebec expect Montreal. They could lose a few seats on the East coast. Status Quo at best in the West. Ontario, I say they will lose 15-20 seats to the Tories, and 6-8 to the Dippers.