UofGPolitico

A "feeling" does not represent a scientific, representative poll. There is an problem here, no one is disputing that, but there is nothing but opposition and media propaganda to suggest this scandal will bring down a government 3 and a half years into the future and that the results of the election were in any way affected. As the investigation goes on there very well could be information that does suggest those two things I just mentioned, but we are no where near that. As usual I think the opposition has made a mountain out of a molehole. There appears to have been very dirty tricks happening in Guelph. Those responsible will hopefully be caught and punished and also maybe some amendments to the Election Act can occur to heavily discourage this type of behavior from happening again.

No, in the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona. I guess the fact that Edmonton-East is held by that Independent former CON MP that was kicked out of caucus means the CPC has decided that riding does not exist

Its unfair to attack someone just because they voted for the CPC. I've voted CPC in the past, but I in no way endorse these tactics. If the party executive is found to be tied to this, I hope the party is taken down.

Yep. I've lived in Guelph all my life and have never eaten there, but I know it is a very popular place among residents and students. I don't know why Guelph was such an important riding for the Conservatives? I guess being the lone red riding still in this area.

There is a Pierre's Poutine restaurant in Guelph. Wow, how stupid is this person lol? What a cheesy alias. Pardon the pun. Now the Burke campaign says one or more unnamed campaign officials may have went rouge without the consent of the national campaign. The suggestion still seems to be that Guelph is the centre of all this. I don't understand why Guelph was targeted though, because it was a clear safe Liberal seat. Even with the rest of Ontario going blue, Valeriote still won by 6,000 votes. LOL, without the alleged suppression I wonder how big his victory would have been.

Ok, thank you. This is better than most mystery novels..... new details by the hour, or in some cases, by the minute. I really hope all this hoopla actually leads to those responsible being caught and punished. This cannot stand. At the very least this scandal should highlight the tailspin our electoral politics have been over the last few years and hopefully some changes are implemented.

Who on twitter?

Yes, that is very true as well. Interesting times ahead in Ottawa.

Rae looked like he was in pain getting that apology out in QP today. Of all days for this to happen, it couldn't have happened on a worst day for liberals when they are trying to keep the Con's heads to the fire over ethics (re: robocalls). Every newscast led with the Liberal story tonight, not robocalls.

Mulcair is the only one who has shown any semblance of sound leadership in this race. He though is openly admitting he would shift the NDP closer to the centre in order to better place the NDP in their quest for government. Will the unions and labour establishment let that happen? I think Nash has replaced Topp in that camp. Topp appears to have been a non-starter for most. He doesn't have any charisma or aggressiveness needed to take on a slick operator like Harper. Dewar has surprised, but his lack of French is debilitating for him. I will never vote NDP in my lifetime (well never say never I guess), but I think in terms of competency, the dippers only have one choice, and that is Mulcair.

This story makes me head spin! Its hard to keep up with it, and at the same time, cut through the rhetoric on all sides to actually know what is true, what is exaggerated, and what is an all out lie. This story has the makings of one being in the headlines for months to come. The Cons better hope senior people in the party are not implicated in this. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that, yet. If senior people are implicated though, we could have another Pacific and Sponsorship on our hands i.e. a scandal that finishes a government. 2015 will be 9 years of Tory rule, isn't that usually the shelf life for Conservative governments historically? LOL.

2012 will go down much like 2004. A very beatable incumbent gets in by default because the opposing party couldn't get its act together and nominate a powerhouse candidate. Romney is more of a Democrat than a Republican anyway. 4 more years of "Change"

This lady worked for the party for 10 years. You are just realizing now that you are not in line with these policies, some policies you no doubt were privy to before the general public was? Floor crossings only become legitimate in my mind if a by-election is called. I understand people's beliefs change, but I don't think most floor crossings are that simple, including this one. I am not sure what a 3rd place party could have offered her, but she got offered something. Either that, or she was a Liberal spy in the NDP ranks. Either way, its very suspicious.

The main problem with Rae is his refusal to say one way or another whether he will seek the permanent leadership. I think its pretty clear he will. For a party talking about renewal and transparency, its kind of hypocritical for the interim leader when asked about running as the permanent leader hides behind veiled rhetoric. I don't know what Liberals are thinking if they are considering him as their "white knight". Ontario will stay Conservative blue if he is Liberal leader in the next election. What's that they say about fooling me twice?

I picked Lester Pearson just purely based on what he accomplished in such a short period of time and with a minority government no-less. In my lifetime though I'd probably pick Stephen Harper.

He's been a backroom insider his whole career. They will definitely use that against him.

And that is probably the Conservative Party's hope. I don't think any of the field really scares the CPC war room ALL that much, but Topp I would label as a definite easy target. I think Nash is a smart and very credible candidate who despite her far-left ideas comes off as very well rounded, reasonable and VERY articulate. She's basically a refined Libby Davies

If the race becomes as divisive as some seem to think it will between Mulcair and Topp, she could come up the middle a la Dion in 2006. Hopefully if that does happen it would work out better for Nash than it did him. It will be exciting.

Its been the worst kept secret in Ottawa for weeks, but she finally jumps in today. The first, and most likely only woman to do so. She's definitely an heir apparent to the Layton vision, which I think could help Mulclair because she will most likely eat into potential support for Brian Top. However, she could also end up being a king maker. Regardless makes it quite interesting. However, in the interim the NDP loses one of its strongest critics on the front bench. Thoughts? http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/10/28/peggy-nash-leadership.html

You are right, I stand corrected. Earlier today the CBC was saying it would be in place in time for 2015. I guess they had it wrong since they quote Uppal directly in this piece.

You surmised from a 7 word post I know nothing about political history? A tongue and cheek post at best making light of the current situation the political executive is faced with in the USA currently.

Fair Representation Act announced today. 6 seats each for BC and AB and 15 for Ontario. 3 seats for Quebec so the % of seats stays in line with the % of the population. Should be in place in time for the 2015 vote. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/10/27/pol-house-seat-distribution.html

LOL, so you'd rather NOTHING get done?

Stephen Harper and his government are acting well within the established conventions of our parliamentary democracy. Its not his fault if our conventions basically promote a benign dictatorship when one party controls a majority of seats in the house. Jean Chretien anyone? I always laugh at the notion we are living under a dictatorship.... its an insult to all those in the world who are living or have lived under a dictator.

Entirely depends on this leadership race which already is showing signs there will be deep fractures when it is all said and done that the eventual leader will be tasked in repairing in time for 2015. While its too early to make any BOLD predictions, I don't think you'll see many Conservatives voting NDP in the next election. If they are disgruntled, they will stay home lol.