I asked the students in my Canadian Political Parties class what they thought about the "air war" thus far. Almost everyone reported having seen the Tories’ famous "blue sweater" ads. (This is hardly surprising, given that they were released on most major networks in the weeks before the writ-drop.) No one had seen the Liberals’ "Turn the Page" ads. (Again, not surprising. I have to admit, I have yet to see a live, TV version. For his part, Dion vetoed the release of an earlier version on the opening day of the campaign.) Yet, I was surprised that none of my students had seen Jack Layton’s "New Kind of Strong" ads. This was interesting and somewhat embarassing for me…
War Rooms and Democracy
If Kim Campbell is right, and election campaigns are hardly the place to talk policy, they’re certainly no venue for political philosophy. So, please forgive me as I wax (not so) poetic about the impact of modern campaigning on the quality of democracy in Canada.
October 14: The Date
Aside from a few minor media stories at the outset of the campaign, few observers are making much of Stephen Harper’s decision to send Canadians to the polls on October 14. The date, itself, holds several strategic advantages, however.
Palin vs. May — a different angle
Beyond references to their attacks on "the old boys club" (overt and rhetorical in Palin’s case, and more symbolic in May’s case) comparisons between the Republican Vice Presidential nominee and Canadian Green Party leader have been few and far between. Perhaps this is because few people would place the two in the same political league.
The View from the Centre: Manitoba ’08
While most observers are ignoring ridings between the Rockies and the Canadian Shield, a few in Manitoba may be worth watching over the next few weeks.
Intramural Politics: Star Athletes as Candidates
Stephen Harper has been courting hockey dads ever since he became leader. (His sponsorship of a CASCAR, book on hockey history, and photo-ops at Canadian Tires and Tim Horton’s are evidence enough.) Who knew the plan would include – or perhaps, lure – several high-profile sports personalities to run under the Conservative Party banner?
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