Canadian federal election day 2008

dew22 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 04:04 PM

How’d it go guys?

Happy?

Sad?

Indifferent?

**Therian** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 04:08 PM

I have the early numbers but I cannot tell anyone.

I'm actually at Global News studios right now.

dew22 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therian

I have the early numbers but I cannot tell anyone.

I'm actually at Global News studios right now.

Do they release/broadcast exit polling during the vote?

**Therian** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 04:49 PM

I'm pretty sure that's illegal, hence the reason I can't say anything right now.

As a broad statement, we'll be seeing more of the same.

I have to call the Quebec ridings.

Green majority

kmterrill · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 04:53 PM

I know two of my Canadian co-workers will be putting their votes in for the Conservatives this evening.

dew22 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therian

I'm pretty sure that's illegal,

As it should be in the states.

**Therian** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 05:03 PM

I had no idea it was legal in the states. That's bad form...influencing opinion before the opinion has been accurately reported...

dew22 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therian

I had no idea it was legal in the states. That's bad form...influencing opinion before the opinion has been accurately reported...

Yep.....

Look into the Fla. 2000 presidential election. The whole recount controversy wouldn't have even taken place if the exit polls hadn't called Fla. incorrectly and early. Many in the "pan handle" hadn't even voted and were in their cars on the way to vote when evening drive time radio regurgitated the MSM's assertion that Fla went for Gore.

BTW the Panhandle votes 2 to 1 , 3 to 1 Rep. historically in presidential elections.
More than enough to make a recount irrelevant.

I thought I’ve seen you type your scepticism about the integrity of GWB’s 2 elections?
If so, I’m surprised you didn’t know this little talked about nugget.

And there’s more.................the way the data was collected was shameful, cherry picking women and minority voters.

**Therian** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dew22

Yep.....

Look into the Fla. 2000 presidential election. The whole recount controversy wouldn't have even taken place if the exit polls hadn't called Fla. incorrectly and early. Many in the "pan handle" hadn't even voted and were in their cars on the way to vote when evening drive time radio regurgitated the MSM's assertion that Fla went for Gore.

BTW the Panhandle votes 2 to 1 , 3 to 1 Rep. historically in presidential elections.
More than enough to make a recount irrelevant.

I thought I’ve seen you type your scepticism about the integrity of GWB’s 2 elections?
If so, I’m surprised you didn’t know this little talked about nugget.

And there’s more.................the way the data was collected was shameful, cherry picking women and minority voters.

Interesting. I need to read into it more.

We're live in Toronto right now

strtrcr50 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 06:35 PM

I brought this up to you the other day Therian..

**Therian** · #11 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strtrcr50

I brought this up to you the other day Therian..

Yes, I recall. I also recall not intending to talk about that point at the time. It was an aside, and I'm really in no place to defend a position on the subject

**Aftrbrnr** · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-08, 10:33 PM

For all you guys down South pumped about the Conservatives up here, keep in mind that the Canadian Conservative party is really only Conservative by name. Harper and his crew are actually more moderate and closer to the center than anything, if you do your homework and research some of you guys might actually puke a little.

As an anecdote, I talked to some kids who were working for the Conservative party (and they brought this up, not me) that if they lived in America, they would vote for (*Gasp!*) The Democrats!

88_GT_5_oh · #13 (**permalink**) 10-15-08, 01:30 AM

i'm happy, i tend to lean to the right on most things political

Reimann · #14 (**permalink**) 10-15-08, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aftrbrnr

For all you guys down South pumped about the Conservatives up here, keep in mind that the Canadian Conservative party is really only Conservative by name. Harper and his crew are actually more moderate and closer to the center than anything, if you do your homework and research some of you guys might actually puke a little.

As an anecdote, I talked to some kids who were working for the Conservative party (and they brought this up, not me) that if they lived in America, they would vote for (*Gasp!*) The Democrats!

Yeah yeah whatever. Sit back and enjoy your conservative government

**Gearbanger 101** · #15 (**permalink**) 10-15-08, 12:12 PM

Conservatives win by a land slide.

Still a minority government, but 16-seats stronger than last term. Now maybe we’ll finally be able to get something done!

It sure isn't looking good for Stephane Dion and the Liberals though. I think his time is up!

I'm still just blown away (and really disappointed) that the Block was still able to secure 50-seats. How a party with admitted separatist and self serving intentions is even qualified to run for a National Election blows me away? Why anyone (outside of Quebec) would be stupid enough to vote for a representative with such a negative outlook on the rest of Canada is far beyond me?

Layton's NDP did better than I thought they would in a lot of areas that were predominantly Liberal in the past. Just goes to show you what having a boat load of advertising on one side and a crappy candidate on the other will do.

**Therian** · #16 (**permalink**) 10-15-08, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearbanger 101

Conservatives win by a land slide.

Indeed, they doubled the seats picked up by the Liberals.

Unfortunately for the Conservatives, Steven Harper will never see a majority government. If he could not win a majority against what was *the worst* Liberal campaign that Canada has seen in 50 years, I have no idea how he would ever be able to secure a majority.

Quote:

It sure isn't looking good for Stephane Dion and the Liberals though. I think his time is up!

That seems to be a prevailing idea. Same thing was said about John Tory however, so we cannot be so sure what will happen. I have a feeling that the leadership convention in May will be interesting. If Dion is out, who is in? Ignatieff? I don't see Rae being a contender due to the bad taste he left in Ontarians mouths. Justin Trudeau is still about ten years away from taking a shot at the leadership.

One thing that most Canadians have learned from this campaign is that Dion is not perceived as an effective leader, and that he cannot communicate his strategies, goals and desires in a way that Canadians understand and are satisfied with. He is a brilliant strategist, a man of utmost integrity, and a man of strong character, but he is not an appropriate centre piece for the Liberals.

Quote:

I'm still just blown away (and really disappointed) that the Block was still able to secure 50-seats. How a party with admitted separatist and self serving intentions is even qualified to run for a National Election blows me away? Why anyone (outside of Quebec) would be stupid enough to vote for a representative with such a negative outlook on the rest of Canada is far beyond me?

This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that has followed Canadian politics since the early 90s. The Bloc fills a significant cultural hole in Quebec that no other party can match. The Conservatives have only been able to break Quebec once (under Mulroney) and it is unlikely that they will be able to do so anytime soon.

Secondly, Duceppe has a substantially more moderate view on Separation than he used to, and that the Bloc as a party used to hold. If you noticed, his campaign this time around was not about separation, rather it was about ensuring that "The Nation of Quebec" is represented in Canada. I would rather see this, than an alienated Quebec (read: ready to separate once more). So if the Bloc is able to keep Quebec from separatist tendencies (ironic, no?) then I'm happy to see them as a party.

So...maybe it's not so negative.

Quote:

Layton's NDP did better than I thought they would in a lot of areas that were predominantly Liberal in the past. Just goes to show you what having a boat load of advertising on one side and a crappy candidate on the other will do.

There's other reasons for the NDPs success, and they didn't win only at the expense of the liberals (see: Edmonton). I can get into that later if you're interested. I have to go for now.

**QCStang** · #17 (**permalink**) 10-16-08, 08:39 AM

I prefer a minority government. It helps to keep all the checks and balances in play, and no political party can really get away with pulling a fast one.

For one of the few times in my life, I did not vote Liberal, I went NDP. The Liberals 'Carbon Tax' kinda scared me off. Dion did not strike me as being a powerful leader.
Now, if Brian Tobin headed up the Liberal party, I do think it would be a clean sweep for the Liberals.

As an english speaking Quebecer, the the regional Bloc is not the way to go. They tend not to speak for urban professionals in Quebec on national and international issues.

Conservatives are also very regional as well - headquartered in Calgary. There are also too many 'bible thumpers' in that party as well - I believe in separation of church and state. They also tend to be more 'corporate and business' friendly - far more tax cuts to corporationss and rich people.

Greens? Bah...

PS: It seems to me that the good old paper ballot and pencil is *STILL* the way to go. No chits to deal with...
Maybe the Yanks are watching...