Momentum in Politics

[maplesyrup]

Ont. pushes Conservatives toward minority: poll

Momentum

With respect to respondents' opinions of various parties and their leaders, they were asked: Now, overall would you say your opinion of this party leader has improved, worsened, or stayed the same over the last few weeks?

For Harper and the Conservatives: 32 per cent said their opinion had improved over the last few weeks; 18 per cent said it had worsened; 40 per cent said it "stayed the same"

For Layton and the NDP: 28 per cent said it had improved; 13 per cent said it had worsened; 44 per cent said it "stayed the same"

For Martin and the Liberals: 13 per cent said their opinion had improved; 48 per cent said it worsened; 34 per cent said it "stayed the same"

For Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc: 23 per cent said it had improved; seven per cent said it worsened; 61 per cent said it "stayed the same"

Layton appears to lead the other leaders in highest gap momentum. This is calculated by subtracting the percentage of people who say their opinion has worsened over the last few weeks from the percentage who say their opinion has improved over the last few weeks.

Layton: +15 points

Harper: +14 points

Martin: -35 points

Duceppe: +16 points in Quebec

Layton and the NDP have the strongest momentum in Atlantic Canada, while the Conservatives are building on their lead in Alberta. Martin and the Liberals have negative momentum in every region of the country.

How big a factor is momentum in politics?

[Goldie]

Well momentum is one thing but a Kim Campbell moment is priceless.