Liberals Gunning for February Election

[Michael Bluth]

Here's the link from today's Globe.

Stéphane Dion's federal Liberals are constructing an election scenario in which they would try to defeat the government in February, before the Conservatives can deliver another budget, according to party strategists, officials and MPs.

The opposition party is feeling more bullish since the Mulroney-Schreiber affair set the Tories on the defensive, but is concerned it will suffer damage if it continues to abstain on confidence votes in the House of Commons - and wants to prevent the Conservatives from delivering a feel-good election budget.

With the budget - usually delivered in late February or March - likely to become a confidence showdown, the Liberals are planning a pre-emptive strike, several Liberals familiar with the strategy told The Globe and Mail.

That means the new year could see a role reversal in the election posturing in the Commons, with Mr. Dion pushing to defeat the government, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper trying to delay.

They may see this as their best shot at holding the Conservatives to a minority before the fixed election date.

It could be a way of getting rid of Dion and hoping for Ignatieff or Rae to do better in a term in opposition.

Something tells me the Conservatives might just let the Liberals have their confidence vote before the next budget.

[August1991]

The mystery in all this is why the Liberals remain at about 25% or so in the polls. That means that one in four Canadians is willing to vote for a party that represents basically nothing.

[Topaz]

The mystery in all this is why the Liberals remain at about 25% or so in the polls. That means that one in four Canadians is willing to vote for a party that represents basically nothing.

Some voters would say, that exactly what they get with THIS government. One problem that Harper better get on top of is the tasering of Dziekanski. Why? There's a polish news team over here now doing a story on what happen and since Canada is holding an Olympics in the future this could be bad news for Vancouver and the rest of Canada.

[Michael Bluth]

Some voters would say, that exactly what they get with THIS government.

Are there enough of those voters to justify the Liberals tough talk on a late-winter election?

[White Doors]

A february election? That wpould be awesome! February is normally so boring. Would love to fill it with news clips of Dions' latest campaign trail boo boo's.

[DrGreenthumb]

The Cons wrongheaded approach to drugs and other justice issues(mandatory minimums) will probably be enough to sink them, without even considering the Harper/Mulroney scandal. Then throw in all the tasering deaths of unarmed people, and the people WILL vote to rid themselves of a police state dictator wannabe like Harper.

The cons in Manitoba tried running on similar ideals in the last Manitoba election and were soundly defeated by the NDP. Third majority in Manitoba, and the biggest one yet. That hellfire and brimstome that the Harperites are pushing doesn't even play here in the bible belt, so good luck trying to get the rest of Canada to swallow that police state crap. Canadians are learning that they were right to be scared of Harper, and his Fascist leanings. We value our freedom and our diversity, and beleive that everyone, including drug users, even actual criminals, should be afforded basic human rights.

[Michael Bluth]

A february election? That wpould be awesome! February is normally so boring. Would love to fill it with news clips of Dions' latest campaign trail boo boo's.

I look forward to all the stories of Liberal infighting. A week into the campaign they will have given up the pretense of being able to win and the jockeying for position for the next leadership will have begun.

[M.Dancer]

If it snows, will mikedavid vote?

[Borg]

The Cons wrongheaded approach to drugs and other justice issues(mandatory minimums) will probably be enough to sink them, without even considering the Harper/Mulroney scandal. Then throw in all the tasering deaths of unarmed people, and the people WILL vote to rid themselves of a police state dictator wannabe like Harper.

The cons in Manitoba tried running on similar ideals in the last Manitoba election and were soundly defeated by the NDP. Third majority in Manitoba, and the biggest one yet. That hellfire and brimstome that the Harperites are pushing doesn't even play here in the bible belt, so good luck trying to get the rest of Canada to swallow that police state crap. Canadians are learning that they were right to be scared of Harper, and his Fascist leanings. We value our freedom and our diversity, and beleive that everyone, including drug users, even actual criminals, should be afforded basic human rights.

Appreciated the chuckle - hope you're planning on writing more humour.

Borg

[White Doors]

The Cons wrongheaded approach to drugs and other justice issues(mandatory minimums) will probably be enough to sink them, without even considering the Harper/Mulroney scandal. Then throw in all the tasering deaths of unarmed people, and the people WILL vote to rid themselves of a police state dictator wannabe like Harper.

The cons in Manitoba tried running on similar ideals in the last Manitoba election and were soundly defeated by the NDP. Third majority in Manitoba, and the biggest one yet. That hellfire and brimstome that the Harperites are pushing doesn't even play here in the bible belt, so good luck trying to get the rest of Canada to swallow that police state crap. Canadians are learning that they were right to be scared of Harper, and his Fascist leanings. We value our freedom and our diversity, and beleive that everyone, including drug users, even actual criminals, should be afforded basic human rights.

How did the NDP fare in Saskatchewan?

LOL

[jdobbin]

The mystery in all this is why the Liberals remain at about 25% or so in the polls. That means that one in four Canadians is willing to vote for a party that represents basically nothing.

There is a base of support that is unwilling to support the Tories period. There is a similar base in the Conservative party that won't vote anything but Tory (although they got confused during the Reform/PC days).

The Liberals as a party have to build back up with actual policies. They have done this in part with new policies on the corporate taxes and poverty but what they really need is a policy conference that lays it all the table. The party has done that in the past and I think they need to do it now.

This doesn't help them with the issue of Dion. Back when he first announced he was running, I didn't think he could overcome the feelings in Quebec associated with his involvement in the Clarity Act. I also think there are Liberals in Quebec who want to see him out as leader no matter what (although I think they now realize that there may be no party left to build on if they continue).

The Liberals need to build back up their municipal and provincial party apparatus. I think it is telling that the NDP in B.C. are a better sources of future Liberal candidates than the actual Liberal party of B.C.. A similar thing is seen all across the country. The party needs to elect city councilors and mayors and then move up to the provincial legislatures where they have people running things and learning the ropes on operating government departments. They become ideal federal candidates later on and future cabinet and leadership material.

All along the way, from lower level to higher levels of government, the party should have people in various stages of evolution in terms of fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

All of this, of course, will not help in the next election. The Liberals cannot allow another budget to be released nor can they abstain anymore on confidence. They have to face the fact than they will probably lose the next election and take heart that Tory numbers continue to hover in the 36% range. They need to make sure they run a competent campaign and develop a policy platform that is different from what the Tories and the NDP have.

Following the election, the issues in terms of leadership and policy will have to be addressed. How this happens is probably going to depend on the outcome of the election.

Edited November 23, 2007 by jdobbin

[Michael Bluth]

Equally as true...

There is a base of support that is unwilling to support the Tories Liberals period. There is a similar base in the Conservative Liberal party that won't vote anything but Tory Liberal.

Fortunately at the moment there are more people unwilling to support the Liberals and who won't vote anything but Tory than the other way around.

Edited November 23, 2007 by Michael Bluth

[Topaz]

Equally as true...

Fortunately at the moment there are more people unwilling to support the Liberals and who won't vote anything but Tory than the other way around.

Can you show us the figures that show that?

[jdobbin]

Can you show us the figures that show that?

I think the figure for Tory and Liberal base support is around 28% to 30%. The Tories are at 36% now which is minority territory.

[Canuck E Stan]

They need to make sure they run a competent campaign and develop a policy platform that is different from what the Tories and the NDP have.

That's precisely what's wrong with the Liberal party and their supporters.

The need "to develop a policy platform that is different from what the Tories and NDP have".

The question becomes why?

The Liberals should accept good policy from their opponents, and admit and say this is good, and work with "good" policy and try and contribute to this policy by improving on it,not looking for "different".

Liberals have to be more honest with Canadians and stop getting into confrontational politics or trying to be "different".

The sooner the Liberals see this, the sooner the Liberals will start getting more support.

[Shakeyhands]

That's precisely what's wrong with the Liberal party and their supporters.

The need "to develop a policy platform that is different from what the Tories and NDP have".

The question becomes why?

The Liberals should accept good policy from their opponents, and admit and say this is good, and work with "good" policy and try and contribute to this policy by improving on it,not looking for "different".

Liberals have to be more honest with Canadians and stop getting into confrontational politics or trying to be "different".

The sooner the Liberals see this, the sooner the Liberals will start getting more support.

Very true CES, the CPC cherry picked some excellent policy from the former gov't. I absolutely agree.

[jdobbin]

That's precisely what's wrong with the Liberal party and their supporters.

The need "to develop a policy platform that is different from what the Tories and NDP have".

The question becomes why?

The Liberals should accept good policy from their opponents, and admit and say this is good, and work with "good" policy and try and contribute to this policy by improving on it,not looking for "different".

Liberals have to be more honest with Canadians and stop getting into confrontational politics or trying to be "different".

The sooner the Liberals see this, the sooner the Liberals will start getting more support.

I guess you could say the same thing about the Tories. They should have realized the raising the income tax just because the Liberals lowered it was bad policy. Too bad it took them two budgets to figure that out.

Likewise, the daycare program they cancelled was actually going to create daycare spots whereas their program has not.

I think it was Stephen Harper who said it is not the job of the Opposition to support the government at every step but to offer alternatives. If the Liberals are to find success, they will have to offer alternatives. And that means different policies than what the other parties are offering.

Our system was set up to be confrontational. There's a reason why it is called Government and Opposition.

Tories certainly didn't stop opposing when they were in Opposition. They tried to be different. I know it irritates some people that this is the way Canada's system was set up but it wasn't about joining hands and singing kumbaya.

Edited November 24, 2007 by jdobbin