Layton viewed most favourably by Canadians, Ignatieff and Harper last

[Rick]

OTTAWA - Michael Ignatieff has rehabilitated his image during the election campaign and he is now viewed as favourably as Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a new poll suggests.

However, both men lag well behind NDP Leader Jack Layton.

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey indicates Ignatieff has regained the leadership favourability ratings he garnered back in early 2009 — shortly after assuming the helm of the Liberal party and before a relentless barrage of Tory attack ads.

His leadership is now viewed positively by 42 per cent of respondents, up five points from a week earlier, and negatively by 50 per cent. That's virtually identical to Harper's favourability rating, which has remained relatively unchanged: 43 per cent positive, 52 per cent negative.

Layton has long been the most popular national leader and his performance in last week's televised leaders' debates appears to have boosted his favourability rating by 11 points. The NDP leader is now viewed positively by 68 per cent, negatively by just 26 per cent.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe remains popular in Quebec, where 65 per cent hold a favourable opinion and 29 per cent an unfavourable opinion.

Harris-Decima chairman Allan Gregg said shifts in such "sub-indicators" as leadership favourability often precede a shift in voting intentions.

"To date, these differences have not manifested themselves in any significant way in voter preference but, if they do, we might expect to see this race become tighter over the next two weeks," he said. "Stay tuned."

The poll also suggests Layton has performed better than expected on the campaign trail while Ignatieff's performance has met with mixed reviews and Harper's has been somewhat of a disappointment.

Thirty-four per cent said Layton has exceeded expectations, another 50 per cent said he's performed as expected, and nine per cent said he's performed worse than expected.

For Ignatieff, 23 per cent said he's exceeded expectations, 24 per cent said he's performed below expectations, and 43 per cent said he's met expectations.

Only 12 per cent said Harper has exceeded expectations, while 19 per cent said he's performed below expectations, and 62 per cent said he's performed as expected.

Obviously Jack Layton and the NDP are doing things which resonate well with Canadians while Iggy's made some improvements, enough to vaunt him moving into a tie with Harper who is in a free fall and failing miserably in his quest to attract voters.

People simply like Jack for his honesty and integrity. Something the other two parties fail to give them.

Sourve

Edited April 24, 2011 by Rick

[Wild Bill]

Obviously Jack Layton and the NDP are doing things which resonate well with Canadians while Iggy's made some improvements, enough to vaunt him moving into a tie with Harper who is in a free fall and failing miserably in his quest to attract voters.

People simply like Jack for his honesty and integrity. Something the other two parties fail to give them.

Sourve

"We're makin' a list, checkin' it twice! We'll vote and see who's wrong or right..."

[maldon_road]

Michael Ignatieff has rehabilitated his image during the election campaign and he is now viewed as favourably as Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a new poll suggests.

Well, that's sure given the Liberal leader a nice line for the remainder of the campaign, "Well, friends, let me tell you - I am now viewed as favorably as Stephen Harper".

[Topaz]

Horoscope wise, Harper birthday is April 30th and Micheal's is May 5th, both are Taurus, the bull, both stubborn. Jack, on the other hand, born July 18th is a Cancer, a natural born father or mother are born under this sign. The way he defends Canadians in QP, is what a father would do for his family. So we'll see how the election goes.

[RNG]

Horoscope wise, Harper birthday is April 30th and Micheal's is May 5th, both are Taurus, the bull, both stubborn. Jack, on the other hand, born July 18th is a Cancer, a natural born father or mother are born under this sign. The way he defends Canadians in QP, is what a father would do for his family. So we'll see how the election goes.

You forgot to put the smiley at the end of that post ........... I hope.

[Scotty]

Obviously Jack Layton and the NDP are doing things which resonate well with Canadians while Iggy's made some improvements, enough to vaunt him moving into a tie with Harper who is in a free fall and failing miserably in his quest to attract voters.

People simply like Jack for his honesty and integrity. Something the other two parties fail to give them.

Sourve

You'll note that they did NOT ask which man they think would make the best prime minister, or which they trusted, or which the think is a strong leader, or anything else clear cut like that.

[betsy]

Obviously Jack Layton and the NDP are doing things which resonate well with Canadians while Iggy's made some improvements, enough to vaunt him moving into a tie with Harper who is in a free fall and failing miserably in his quest to attract voters.

People simply like Jack for his honesty and integrity. Something the other two parties fail to give them.

Sourve

That's not what Nanos at CTV is reporting. Harper still leads at 38.8%, Liberals at 25.5%

and NDP at 23.9%. That's what the Jacqueline Mizarek showed, but - and this is where it gets confusing - she is saying that NDP is FIRMLY on second place. So did they make a mistake with that board that they showed?

Furthermore, the streamline news at the bottom says Haper is enjoying a DOZEN points lead!

As for leadership, she's saying that Harper still leads, and that Jack had passed and is moving farther ahead of Ignatieff!

Edited April 24, 2011 by betsy

[Tilter]

Obviously Jack Layton and the NDP are doing things which resonate well with Canadians , while Iggy's made some improvements enough to vaunt him moving into a tie with Harper who is in a free fall and failing miserably in his quest to attract voters.

People simply like Jack for his honesty and integrity. Something the other two parties fail to give them.

Sourve

while Iggy's made some improvements

What a nice way to tell us iggy has quit the election---- that's the biggest political improvement since Mckenzie King retired

as far as getting into the same league as Harper--- You're dreaming in color.

Edited April 24, 2011 by Tilter

[Mr.Canada]

Within a year after the election loss Ignatieff will be back at Harvard or in the UK.

[maldon_road]

Within a year after the election loss Ignatieff will be back at Harvard or in the UK.

He'll be replaced as Liberal leader long before then. This is going to be one big disaster for the party on May 2nd.

[WWWTT]

What a nice way to tell us iggy has quit the election---- that's the biggest political improvement since Mckenzie King retired

as far as getting into the same league as Harper--- You're dreaming in color.

Actually all people dream in color,however your memory is in black and white.

WWWTT