Vancouver King

Let's be clear on how many times Harper said "let's be clear". 36 I think the CPC's cherished majority flew out the window tonight.

Jack Layton: "Where is your platform, Mr. Harper, under your sweater?"

Continue tonight what he did last night - breathe some fresh air into this election by discussing the issues - ie. environment and the war. Harper has had a free ride thus far with his attack ads tactics, at some point real issues must be discussed and their discussion will enhance Liberal chances.

You would like to see the Bloc down even though every seat they take is one more barrier to a Harper majority. Your antipathy towards Conservatives obviously doesn't extend to strategic voting.

The effects, if any, of Harper's plagarism will show over the next few days.

...what a speller.

CBC analysis today says Michael Fortier, Public Works, is so far behind the Bloc candidate that the Tory war room has now written their man off.

The big question is whether a new campaign focus on issues during the upcoming debates will carve support off Tory popularity. The fact that Harper has avoided any talk of the environment or Afghanistan up to now tells me he realizes his party is vulnerable on these issues. Voters have other concerns besides the economy and leadership.

You can tell forum participants who have tiny equity portfolios. They are the ones spewing the usual nonsense about govt having no place in the economy - despite the world's largest "free" economy about to make a trillion dollar intervention - and these right wing believers are unable to connect the dots between neo-conservative policies in the US and todays record plunge on the TSX. Elimination of financial regulation and oversight while turning Wall St. into a parasitic circus is now a legacy of Bush's neo-conservatism. Since this rot has now slopped over the border Canadians watching their retirement investments melting away can thank neo-conservatives, of which Stephen Harper is one, for the decrease in their net worths. By all means lets have a public pow wow on the spreading financial fallout. The public deserves to hear Harper explain that all the dislocation is the fault of conservatives stateside.

Those old figures are as relevent as yesterday's newspapers. When a downturn of significance - and 3% off one party's column is significant - there is always the possibility that party's popularity will stay there, get worse or bounce back up. If it stays at 36% it almost certainly spells another minority for Harper. However, the campaign so far has steered clear of the issues - environment, Afghanistan etc. - which favors the personal attacks approach of the Tories, enhancing the possibilities of a bounce back. It's tough to argue with success and directing his party's resources at the govt instead of the weak opposition leader has so far paid dividends. Here in B.C. the NDP are set to upset in up to 10 ridings, including the defeat of Hedy Fry in Vancouver Centre.

Newest Nanos numbers - they seem like an unwelcome pothole on the majority highway for Stephen Harper. CPC - 36% Libs - 27 NDP - 19 Bloc - 9 Grn - 9 "With their 15 point margin last week, the campaign was looking like a runaway freight train for Harper Conservatives. " http://www.nanosresearch.com/main.asp

Unfortunately we could also wave goodbye to national health standards.

Imagine it, a proposal to benefit citizens who actually need it instead of already profitable, faceless corporations. What revolutionary policy, channeling funds to families who will spend every dime in new economic activity instead of tax reductions for big banks and oil companies. I think Jack might be onto something.

We need a return to federal transfers with strings attached. Provincial rights in the real world mean funds earmarked by Ottawa for health care more often end up in general revenue to be spent on other budgetary items. Spend federal health transfers on health or lose the revenue.

You mean the night Ralph got way too loaded and diredted his limo to stop at a homeless shelter then haranged those staying there as shiftless bums despite the fact that most were working full time but their $10 per hr. jobs did not leave enough clear pay to afford Alberta's outrageous rents. Yes, a true blue Conservative he certainly was.

4 years...unless Harper decides to trample his fixed election date again.

Nonsense. In creating a new political dynamic the CPC - if they are half as smart as you think they are - must realize that in time they will be turned out of office in favor of the opposition. Or do you seriously contend Harper will rule forever?

I think you are onto something. Harper apparently wants to annihilate the Liberal party into oblivion - literally removing it from the federal scene. This, of course, leaves only the NDP as English Canada alternative to Tories with the promise that eventually the priorities of middle class/working class Canadians will finally be addressed. I never thought I would share a political belief with Stephen Harper - destruction of the Liberals is certainly one of them.

Hard to imagine Toronto's GTA abandoning Liberals for Tories. Also, resurgence of Bloc will put brakes on significant seat increases for CPC in Quebec - while, incidentally, also isolating the province in the context of forthcoming substantial - but not massive - Conservative majority. The real horse race now is for Official Oppostion party and the Bloc, NDP and Libs are all conceivably in the 45+ seat realm. An NDP second place finish will change Canadian politics forever - imagine voters given clear policy alternatives by a now-respectable party only one step away from power. Your prediction of a permanently hobbled Liberal Party could very well come true.

All recent polls are finally converging and it is not good news for the Liberals. Collapse of the Liberal vote not only ensures a CPC majority but in ridungs like mine - Vancouver Kingsway - it means another New Democrat will go to the Commons. I hope the forthcoming parliament is noted for something above Harper's majority - NDP as Official Opposition party, although unlikely, would do nicely.

...and if an American president with an 18% approval rating implored Americans to take his trillion dollar leap of faith, would anyone care?

If either candidate suggested a tax increase or spending cut to pay for this measure he would face certain defeat. Obama came close when he hinted that spending proposals (ie expanded medicare) would be delayed due to the bailout package. Forget for the moment this is the "reformer" candidate talking, his opponent, incredibly, is still on record as favoring additional income tax reductions for wealthiest taxpayers. I find it nothing short of Alice in Wonderland that a trillion dollars can be found to rescue bankers and speculators while millions of children lack health care coverage. Only in America.

I have heard no plans to cut spending or increase taxes to pay for this measure. During a presidential campaign this is understandable but given the gravity of the situation - McCain would have America believe it is ominous enough to suspend his campaign - one would think this "no bad news" rule would be suspended and the American taxpayer reassured the money will simply not be printed/borrowed.

There is a better display than that looming stateside - when the trillion dollar bailout for bankers and speculators happens, the world will begin to witness a travesty on an unimaginable scale: The American govt foreclosing and tossing into the street, it's own citizens coerced into teaser-rate mortgages they were eventually unable to pay. This will warm the hearts of most conservative Republicans. A fitting legacy for America's most despised president.

The fat lady, after warming her vocal chords, has returned to her dressing room. Here are the latest Nanos numbers. It appears all is not lost, in fact, Liberals are now closer to Harper, according to this respected pollster, than on election night, 2006. Conservatives - 36% Liberals - 31 NDP - 20 Green - 7 Bloc - 7 ...a blip or a trend? http://www.nanosresearch.com/election/CPAC...er-21-2008E.pdf