[Newsbot]

Filibuster Cartoon
Title: Election reading (click to view)
Date: September 09, 2008
Well, Prime Minister Harper broke his promise to bring fixed election dates to Canada and unilaterally dissolved parliament this week, forcing new elections to be held on October 14.

Harper's justification was that parliament was "not working" in its present form, that too many bills were being held up and delayed by opposition politicians filibustering and delaying his legislation. But at the same time Harper himself has said he expects this election to not really change things much, and will probably just produce another plurality for his party.

So what is this election about? And why do we need it? I don't know. I'm quite profoundly bored by it all, really. Especially when such a fascinating and substantial election is occurring in the US simultaneously.

[Scape]

US politics is a bloodsport. Canada just does not have the PR. This election is about positioning. Harper wants a quick election with few gaffs and thinks if he treads softly he might get a strong minority or even a majority. This election is not about issues it's about him. So yes, it's boring.

[tritium]

who you voting for Scape??

[Scape]

This is my Conservative candidate. I do give him props for trying the new medium to get across his message but to be honest I can't say I'm thrilled. He looks like a machine trying to feed his baby there and should have done more takes. He's a lawyer and an ex-military officer. Has good leadership potential. A little green from what I have seen. I will wait for the debate, at least he's no John Cory.

The incumbent is a red tory that ran as a reformer turn liberal Keith Martin. He chose a bad time to switch sides but he didn't fit in the Harper party that well anyway. Looks like he is being groomed for a senior cabinet position (Foreign Affairs). He has won the last five elections and has a firm base. He also had a Private members bill that was in favor of Mark Steyn. He's the favorite but I have not decided on him until the all candidates debate at least.

I have heard a bit about Jen on the AM talk shows but to be honest she isn't hitting any home runs for me. She does know her stuff though and is able to bring to the discussion a fair amount of depth. She would not be a bad pick.

I haven't bothered looking at the Greens and I'm sure the Cap will run again but haven't the time to read up on them. It's a toss between libs and the NDP at this point.

[Sucros]

On the second day of the Canadian election, the 3 Canadian newspapers I read this morning on my commute devoted more words to the American election than our own.

There are no wedge issues. No gay marriage. No gay marriage two. No liberal corruption scandal. Four months ago, this election was supposed to be about the afghan mission, I was all prepared to suck it up and vote tory against my normal leanings.

Ultimately it comes down to choosing between an ineffective leader far more interested in PR and politics than actual governance, or a one trick pony, who somehow managed to look bad next to a man who put's Paul Martin's dithering to shame.

I'd much rather hear about who Palin's daughter is sleeping with.

[Jabrwock]

Sucros wrote:

No liberal corruption scandal.

Well, there would have been a few minor conservative corruption scandals (election funding ironically being one of them), but they were still developing in parliamentary committees. So the timing of calling an elections before the house re-seats to discuss them... smells...

But yeah, no real "wedge" issues. This morning's radio was all about "Dion will tax you", and "Harper doesn't care about you". Boring usual stuff.

So is it a good or bad thing that the first English debate is scheduled for the same night as the US Veep debate?

[CanadianJeff]

honestly when the choices are a conservative party that doesn't hold up it's ends in half it's promises and an idiotic Liberal party who can't seem to keep their pants on it's a hard choice.

And there is just no way I'm ever voting green or NDP so this is a bit of a bang your head up against the wall election. Dion will likely continue to look like a moron backing stupid legislation and Harper will just sit there and rant about promises he will never fufill by his own proof of breaking them.

Let's be honest Canadians are facing a lose lose situation right now. I just hope neither party gets a majority or were really up the creek.

[Jabrwock]

CanadianJeff wrote:

And there is just no way I'm ever voting green or NDP so this is a bit of a bang your head up against the wall election.

The only reason I lean NDP in my federal riding is that the candidate is pushing for better funding for university students (tax breaks for textbooks, etc). Even though I've long since gotten my degree. That and the Conservative candidate here likes to ignore any attempts to contact her. If you're not praising Harper (does that make you a Harpy? ), then she (and her staff) doesn't want to talk to you.

I'm in favour of a minority government, as it forces whoever's in charge to tone it down. But I'm sick of hearing the Conservatives whine that they can't get anything done, when all they have to do is say "boo", and the Liberals back down...

[Robair]

It's a nothing election unless you farm in western Canada. Because if you do, it's a nail biter.

A Liberal minority would mean Harper losing his job, wouldn't it? Perhaps we could get somebody leading the Conservatives who wasn't hellbent destroying the farmer controlled wheat board, whether farmers want it gone or not.

[Jabrwock]

Robair wrote:

It's a nothing election unless you farm in western Canada. Because if you do, it's a nail biter.

A Liberal minority would mean Harper losing his job, wouldn't it? Perhaps we could get somebody leading the Conservatives who wasn't hellbent destroying the farmer controlled wheat board, whether farmers want it gone or not.

Omg, a Sask resident who ISN'T against the wheat board? But Harper insist you're a myth!

My father in law grumbles about the WB, but only because it's the thing to do over coffee. (Complain about weather, politics, etc) He knows that in low price years it helps. He never bought the Conservative line about caring about prairie farmers. He's been around too long to fall for that one.

[Robair]

Jabrwock wrote:

Omg, a Sask resident who ISN'T against the wheat board? But Harper insist you're a myth!

Yea. Amazing how all those pro-single desk board members keep getting elected by mythical farmers.

[hoshie]

Great toon as always, J.J.!

As for me, I'm finding the US election kinda boring now. As someone who has seem this in the news for over a year now, it's getting a bit old. The primaries were fun, the conventions were interesting, but I can't wait for November!

I'm finding the upcoming federal election interesting as I did 2004 and 2006. I'm wondering about three things in this election:

1) Will Harper get his majority?

2) How will the Liberals do under Dion?

3) Will the Greens win a seat?

Above all, I feel that the next few months will be interesting for both our countries.

[Psudo]

Quote:

3) Will the Greens win a seat?

No. I don't know much about Canadian politics, but I know that.

[CanadianJeff]

hehe Psudo speaks clear. The green party is the Media's choice by far. It doesn't mean it's the peoples. It's like the "Christian ethics party" that ran in my riding in the last election. Just an absolute sad joke that thankfully more people laughed at then anything.

Honestly though after doing a bit of reading I realized moving has placed me in a new electoral district which means bye bye Maurice Vellacot thank god! So this may get interesting after all.

So far the liberals have not appointed any MP for my area. Which means I get a crappy pro union NDP mp or well a not so bad conservative MP that accually reflects my concerns. http://www.bradtrost.ca/index.html

Honestly Iv'e only voted conservative once but I really do like this mp. I guess it's just going to come down to who the liberals appoint. But hey so far I have to admit. The conservative government has at least some good people in it.

That and THANK GOD for no more Maurice Vellacott. The man's a nutcase!

and I realize this is a bit silly but my goodness if it's not hillarious

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLNfNsHooNo&feature=rel

[Sucros]

One thing is certain. Whoever loses this election is toast. Unless Harper wins a majority, he's shot himself in the foot. If he loses, his party will turf him for a better candidate, not hard to find.
If he wins another minority, Dion's toast, and any replacement is going to be more trouble for Harper than Dion.