Canadian Election: It's On

[joncha]

Ah... but you see, if you vote NDP even though they're sure not to win this election, they may have a shot at next election. If you "park" your vote with the Liberals, the NDP will never win.

[Ben Kenobi]

There will be only one way for the NDP's to get into power, the same way the Progressive party did.

[St Leo]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
There will be only one way for the NDP's to get into power, the same way the Progressive party did.

Merge with the Conservatives, eh? Does Stephen Harper or Jack Layton get to be leader?

[notyoueither]

I'd pick Jack Layton right about now, but it ain't done yet.

[Ben Kenobi]

Or sell your soul to the Liberals to form a consolidated left wing.

[Tingkai]

Snippets of the bios for the candidates in Dejons' riding. Who would you vote for without knowing the party?

Candidate A
"I have been the principal of my architectural practice for some 30 years, and throughout that period have gained extensive proficiency in successfully realizing the completion of complex projects extending from the schematic design phase through final construction."
...
"During my leisure time, I am an avid sailor, and in the past have competed with my Canadian Champion Golden Retriever at dog shows internationally. As an ardent scuba diver, I have been involved in underwater photography for some 25 years"

Candidate B
"A gifted communicator, she is passionate about Canada and about engaging citizens in our democracy. She is a champion for health care, the environment, women in politics and persons with disabilities; and she is recognized as a strong voice for Israel in Ottawa."

Candidate C
"In 2000, I was asked to be the PC candidate in St.Paul’s for the federal election. Growing up in a political family, and having volunteered for local candidates like Ron Atkey, Michael Walker, Barbara MacDougall, Isabel Bassett and David McDonald, I considered it seriously. I decided that the Tories were not addressing the issues that mattered most to me. The party did not seem to me to be progressive or interested in conservation. At that point I happened to check out the XXX website. I had heard about the party but never bothered to find out about it. As I read about XXX policies, it was as if somebody had taken the issues that I cared most about and made them into an international political party."

Candiate D
No bio on Globe site. No bio on party website (There are no bios for any of the party's candidates).

[joncha]

Candidate D has me convinced

[Hot Mustard]

Can I play? C)

[optimus2861]

I'd lean toward A. An outsider who hasn't been corrupted by the political process yet.

B sounds like a windbag who doesn't actually do anything.

C can't resist a potshot at an opposing party -- may be too concerned with being right as opposed to doing what's best for the country (if I may hazard a guess here, Green party?).

[Fake Boris]

"A gifted communicator, she is passionate about Canada and about engaging citizens in our democracy. She is a champion for health care, the environment, women in politics and persons with disabilities; and she is recognized as a strong voice for Israel in Ottawa."

As if Israel needed her help.

[Flinx]

You will elect me to go to Ottawa and do this:

"I have been the principal of my architectural practice for some 30 years, and throughout that period have gained extensive proficiency in successfully realizing the completion of complex projects extending from the schematic design phase through final construction."

...But what I will really do is this:

"During my leisure time, I am an avid sailor, and in the past have competed with my Canadian Champion Golden Retriever at dog shows internationally. As an ardent scuba diver, I have been involved in underwater photography for some 25 years"

[RedFred]

My first bit of unasked for advice is for everyone to go out and attend an all-candidates meeting. I'd rather see the Commons filled with decent MPs from crappy parties rather than crappy MPs from decent parties.

And remember that a vote for a candidate of your dreams that has no hope of being elected makes a bit more sense now that their party will get some money to advertise with next time around.

As far as BC goes, forget about an NDP breakthrough. Davies is secure but now that the Greens are seen as a viable alternate for many voters everyone else is in big trouble. And Svend's latest drama isn't helping. But I don't see any Greens elected this time around. Although they will get a seat or two in the provincial LA if we adopt proportional representation.

[Flinx]

Originally posted by RedFred Although they will get a seat or two in the provincial LA if we adopt proportional representation.

I thought the Greens got 12% of the provincial vote, that is more than a seat or two...

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by optimus2861
C can't resist a potshot at an opposing party -- may be too concerned with being right as opposed to doing what's best for the country (if I may hazard a guess here, Green party?).

Interesting - I interpreted it as an attempt to gain political points from his family's political legacy, even though from a different party, I mean...what's with all the name-dropping?

[Ben Kenobi]

I thought the Greens got 12% of the provincial vote, that is more than a seat or two...

One of the vagarities of Canada's first past the post system.

Only the top vote-getter in each riding gets in. Everyone else gets squat.

12% is absolutely useless, unless you manage to concentrate all your support in one riding.