repolitics
Political News, Discussion Forums and In-depth Features on Political Institutions
by Royce Koop on
Preston Manning has provided two highly…original reasons to not vote for Stephane Dion.
Reason Number 1: "Whereas Mr. Harper grew up in an accountant’s household, Mr. Dion grew up in an academic’s household."
[Read more…] about Preston Manning Weighs in… Why NOT to Vote for Dion
by staging_user on
During last week’s federal leadership debate, Jack Layton mentioned that Stephane Dion had supported the Harper government 43 times. Forty-three became a refrain during the course of Jack Layton’s public appearances last week. It can be an effective tactic because people tend to remember numbers–just check the magazine covers at the newsstand next time and notice how many times numbers appear.
by Jonathan Rose on
The events of this week remind us that sometimes in election campaigns the efforts of political parties are constrained by events completely out of their control. The US economy looks like it is heading for a full blown recession, the stock market is in seeming free-fall and the second US Presidential debate is scheduled tonight on Tuesday, October 7. How much might the US debate affect the Canadian election?
[Read more…] about The US Debate and Its Spillover to Canadian Politics
by Royce Koop on
…now an issue – the economy – is battering the Conservative campaign,
and it’s completely a result of Harper’s handling of the issue.
by Harold Jansen on
With just a week or so to go to the election, we’re about to run into a part of Canada’s election law that always irks me. Section 329 of the Elections Act prohibits the publication on election results while the polls are still open locally. As someone who grew up in Alberta, I understand the reason for this. We’re better served by not knowing what is happening out east. In 1980, I remember turning on the TV at 8:00 PM (poll closing time back then) and being informed that there would be a Liberal majority government. At that point, they had not counted a single vote from Alberta yet. It’s a nice reminderof why your vote doesn’t matter. It’s hard enough to get people out to vote now; more disincentives are not useful.
[Read more…] about A proposal to fix an outdated provision in election law
by Melanee Thomas on
I’m sure all political observers in Alberta would agree that Edmonton Strathcona is the Conservative’s weakest seat in Alberta. Harold Jansen figures the Conservatives will take it, but this just might make it more interesting.