Does the Liberal Party stand a chance? Election now?

[tromik]

I probably shouldn't be the one starting this thread since I know so litte at the moment, but it appears the Liberals are in deep shit.

Read more here (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050408/GOMMARTIN08/TPNational/Canada).

I'm really surprised that this isn't the first story on all Canadian media, the CBC has a story about the summer coming early in the west. WTF?

Should there be an election now or after the inquiry?

[Jakub]

This doesn't really make the Conservamericans a better choice. =/

[Euri]

In my quite possibly ignorant point of view, it looks like the Canadian Liberals have been taking plays from the American Republicans.

[tromik]

I just heard the Conservatives on the radio and they have stated they won't call an election until 1. Harper gets back from Rome 2. They see the polls and 3. The inquiry is over.

Ugh.

[MikeJ]

I'm really surprised that this isn't the first story on all Canadian media, the CBC has a story about the summer coming early in the west. WTF?


All the papers I saw on my way in this morning had this story in huge text. It was the big story yesterday afternoon and last night on the CBC website, but they just keep scrolling up new stories. Their website is kind of strange that way. I'm sure if you watch the CBC telecasts it will be the big story for a few days at least. I mean, it already has been a big story for the past week, before they could even report it.

As for kicking out the Liberals, I'm thinking so. I still don't think Martin or most of his current cabinet knew this was going on, and I prefer Martin to any of the alternatives. But when people are caught pulling stuff like this as part of a political party, I don't think you can let the party off the hook. Otherwise the corruption may become more widespread than it already is.

If Harper runs on a sane platform in the next election (which I expect fairly soon now), I think he has my vote this time.

[Toddy]

All the sponsorship scandal will do is demolish the Liberals even more in Quebec. We're talking about just a million bucks, and the whole thing took place under a government that's been out of power for going on two years. If Harper brings down the government and we go to an election anytime this year over this, I think the Liberals will wind up with a majority. People just don't like or trust Harper in Ontario. The Conservatives haven't made any inroads here, and without that, the party can't win a federal election.

If anything, the Liberals here have become more popular since the election, as Harper hasn't done a thing to build on his successes. The vast majority of Ontarians line up more with Liberal policies than they do the Conservative platforms. The last election was more of a reaction to Chretien's unpopularity and sheer public boredom with the ruling party. That'll change next time, because Martin's been pretty effective, and a lot of people liked the last budget.

Personally, the Conservatives have lost my vote. I went for Harper last, and a Conservative was elected in my riding, but I'll be voting Liberal the next time out because I just don't like or trust the Conservatives when it comes to social policy. The Western regionalism bothers me a lot, as does the party's big ties to wingnut fundamentalist Christianity. And -- this is lame, I know -- Harper himself is cold and creepy. He doesn't seem trustworthy at all. I really wish Peter McKay had emerged as Conservative leader. Maybe he'll have a shot at taking over after Harper loses another election.

[Charles]

I'd rather vote for a party that'll steal money from me (as if that's anything new, most taxes nowadays are squandered so badly it's practically stealing anyway) than a party that aims to be a US lapdog.

[MikeJ]

I really wish Peter McKay had emerged as Conservative leader. Maybe he'll have a shot at taking over after Harper loses another election.

I really liked McKay when he was a PC, but that whole fiasco with the party nomination really soured me on him.

First, he runs for party leader and appears to be open to merger talks with the Alliance. Well, I think there's maybe too many crazies in the Alliance, but if that's what he believes, fine.

Then when it looks like he might not win the party leadership, he inks a deal with David Orchard: in exchange for his support he agrees not to merge with the Alliance. This secures his nomination. Kind of underhanded.

THEN he goes ahead and merges with the Alliance anyway. Progressive Conservative Party, exit stage left.