Finaly an opposition party that can polarize the right!

[WWWTT]

Canadian voters have expressed their disatisfaction with the Liberals in opposition.And the voter always has the last word!

This is no suprise.The liberal party mentality was their ultimate doom and their failure to adapt and change was the final nail in their coffin.However it could be the other way around?

Its real hard to see Harper take advantage of voter confusion like this,but when it finaly sinks in with voters that Harper will have his way with Canadian policy and closely coveted institutions,that coalition thing will look like the garden of Eden to the lost and forgoten liberals.

Thank the liberals for the conservative majority,now that they will soon be dust we can finaly rally behind a strong voice that speaks for all Canadiens(except PEI and Sask. when I last checked)Rural and Urban,North and South,from the Atlantic and Pacific to the Arctic!

WWWTT

[PIK]

Jack had more power with 36 seats then he has now, and he better enjoy it because it is over in 4 years. It will not take to long for quebecers to realize what a huge mistake they just did. Electing people that threw thier name in the hat for something to do. So enjoy it while it lasts.

[WWWTT]

Jack had more power with 36 seats then he has now, and he better enjoy it because it is over in 4 years. It will not take to long for quebecers to realize what a huge mistake they just did. Electing people that threw thier name in the hat for something to do. So enjoy it while it lasts.

Actually the NDP increased their support outside Quebec by 8 or 9 seats!

And many more ridings ended up in second or very close second.

If trends continue they will form a majority in 4-5 years.

Saying that he had more power with 36 or 37 is absolutely not true because the liberals had no intent in following through with the coalition before this election.

Just wait till Harper has his way with Canada and we will see the voter responce then.

WWWTT

[nittanylionstorm07]

Actually the NDP increased their support outside Quebec by 8 or 9 seats!

And many more ridings ended up in second or very close second.

If trends continue they will form a majority in 4-5 years.

Saying that he had more power with 36 or 37 is absolutely not true because the liberals had no intent in following through with the coalition before this election.

Just wait till Harper has his way with Canada and we will see the voter responce then.

WWWTT

I can't wait to see SoCred II in the 2015 election.

[bush_cheney2004]

...Just wait till Harper has his way with Canada and we will see the voter responce then.

Okay, but it's sure a lot more fun right now seeing the voter response to Liberals who didn't even have their way.

What a blowout!

[ToadBrother]

Okay, but it's sure a lot more fun right now seeing the voter response to Liberals who didn't even have their way.

What a blowout!

Well, at least they've still got official party status... unlike a certain group of separatists.

[PIK]

Actually the NDP increased their support outside Quebec by 8 or 9 seats!

And many more ridings ended up in second or very close second.

If trends continue they will form a majority in 4-5 years.

Saying that he had more power with 36 or 37 is absolutely not true because the liberals had no intent in following through with the coalition before this election.

Just wait till Harper has his way with Canada and we will see the voter responce then.

WWWTT

With people that should be nowhere near politics.Like the lady bartender that could not campaign because she could not speak french, never should up and went to vegas ,where they said she still was last nite, or the communist that took out cannon, and the rest of harper cabinet that was in quebec, they don't have any say anymore.

[WWWTT]

With people that should be nowhere near politics.Like the lady bartender that could not campaign because she could not speak french, never should up and went to vegas ,where they said she still was last nite, or the communist that took out cannon, and the rest of harper cabinet that was in quebec, they don't have any say anymore.

You wish Ghadafi!

WWWTT

[ninjandrew]

Actually the NDP increased their support outside Quebec by 8 or 9 seats!

And many more ridings ended up in second or very close second.

If trends continue they will form a majority in 4-5 years.

Saying that he had more power with 36 or 37 is absolutely not true because the liberals had no intent in following through with the coalition before this election.

Just wait till Harper has his way with Canada and we will see the voter responce then.

WWWTT

I think its too early to guess whats going to happen in five years, but I'd bet the CPC wont be getting a majority after theyve force fed some of the voters some almost inevitable nasty stuff.

As for the NDPs position now,it sounds like this is best scenario for Jack. Except for maybe being opposition to a minority.

[ToadBrother]

I think its too early to guess whats going to happen in five years, but I'd bet the CPC wont be getting a majority after theyve force fed some of the voters some almost inevitable nasty stuff.

Doesn't that tell you that, despite some of the right-wing posters here, the Tories likely won't be doing that?

[nittanylionstorm07]

Doesn't that tell you that, despite some of the right-wing posters here, the Tories likely won't be doing that?

9 years is a good run for a government, and it fits well with the cycle of Canadian politics. There will be a different prime minister after the next election.

Where the NDP is right now looks a lot like where the Conservatives were in 2004... albeit they were facing a minority, not a majority.... but just looking at the numbers.

[ToadBrother]

9 years is a good run for a government, and it fits well with the cycle of Canadian politics. There will be a different prime minister after the next election.

Where the NDP is right now looks a lot like where the Conservatives were in 2004... albeit they were facing a minority, not a majority.... but just looking at the numbers.

I'm not too sure I can count the two minority governments as part of the regular cycle. Harper's still a relatively young man, and as impressive as the NDP gains are, Jack Layton is not a young man, and may not be the guy leading the charge in 2015. Succession is a dangerous thing, and I think it's something the NDP has to worry a lot more about than the Tories.

It's early days, but providing the Tories suppress the ideological leanings of some members and governs from the center, I honestly wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them win again in 2015.

[nittanylionstorm07]

I'm not too sure I can count the two minority governments as part of the regular cycle. Harper's still a relatively young man, and as impressive as the NDP gains are, Jack Layton is not a young man, and may not be the guy leading the charge in 2015. Succession is a dangerous thing, and I think it's something the NDP has to worry a lot more about than the Tories.

It's early days, but providing the Tories suppress the ideological leanings of some members and governs from the center, I honestly wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them win again in 2015.

Eh, I think you have to. All left-of-centre voters are going to learn from the 2011 election, and they'll be even more tired of Harper by 2015. They'll be ready to throw him out.

[ToadBrother]

Eh, I think you have to. All left-of-centre voters are going to learn from the 2011 election, and they'll be even more tired of Harper by 2015. They'll be ready to throw him out.

They will try, but the NDP, if it wants to have any hope of dislodging the Tories, is going to have to whip that vast number of Quebec members, some of which, you have to admit, are pretty dubious, into shape. It's going to be a very tough four years for Layton as he identifies the talent in this huge caucus, and just as importantly tries to figure out how to get rid of the losers and crazies but keep their ridings.

Let's see how Harper governs. If he pushes to the right too far, then all bets are off, but I think he's a smart man, and he knows that he's been given a rare opportunity that he could easily squander if he lets the wingnuts like my MP grab the spotlight.

[Topaz]

It's your time Tories, enjoyed while you can because just like any other party that get too comfortable in the PMO, corruption shows its ugly head and down you will fall. Harper may go longer because of all the secrecy but it will come out and the rest of us will set back and watch the games the Tories play, thinking I told you so. I suppose of the Tories that are losers from last night, will end up in the senate.

[nittanylionstorm07]

They will try, but the NDP, if it wants to have any hope of dislodging the Tories, is going to have to whip that vast number of Quebec members, some of which, you have to admit, are pretty dubious, into shape. It's going to be a very tough four years for Layton as he identifies the talent in this huge caucus, and just as importantly tries to figure out how to get rid of the losers and crazies but keep their ridings.

Let's see how Harper governs. If he pushes to the right too far, then all bets are off, but I think he's a smart man, and he knows that he's been given a rare opportunity that he could easily squander if he lets the wingnuts like my MP grab the spotlight.

The NDP has 4 years to do that. Plenty of time to get decent parliament experience.

The problem with that last paragraph is that Harper comes from the former party that centred around the wingnuts.

[RNG]

The NDP has 4 years to do that. Plenty of time to get decent parliament experience.

The problem with that last paragraph is that Harper comes from the former party that centred around the wingnuts.

Trudeau, Kennedy, Obama and Layton, all had charisma working strongly for them. And then there was Iggy. (What is the opposite of charisma?) So the previous poster who stated that transition, if Jack's health or age become a factor, could be bad is correct.

[ToadBrother]

Trudeau, Kennedy, Obama and Layton, all had charisma working strongly for them. And then there was Iggy. (What is the opposite of charisma?) So the previous poster who stated that transition, if Jack's health or age become a factor, could be bad is correct.

The fact is that this is very much Layton's victory. Some of those candidates in Quebec are total mysteries. If Jack has to retire, the NDP could see their success disappear. The best I can suggest at the moment is that Layton find a lieutenant who could, if need be, step into his shoes.

[Scotty]

Let's see how Harper governs. If he pushes to the right too far, then all bets are off, but I think he's a smart man, and he knows that he's been given a rare opportunity that he could easily squander if he lets the wingnuts like my MP grab the spotlight.

Libby Davis?

[ToadBrother]

Libby Davis?

No, she's Jack's special little crackpot. Mine is James Lunney, who pretty much typifies the 1990s Reform arch-conservative, very much the kind of guy that would ban abortion and gay marriage. His almost rabid support for Israel makes me thing he's also one of those wingnut apocalyptic Christian types, which would certainly fit with a number of other positions he's taken.

[bloodyminded]

Let's see how Harper governs. If he pushes to the right too far, then all bets are off, but I think he's a smart man, and he knows that he's been given a rare opportunity that he could easily squander if he lets the wingnuts like my MP grab the spotlight.

I think you're right. Harper was undoubtedly as surprised as many of us at a Tory majority, and I get the feeling he'll be fairly cautious, as he is in most things.

If he plans to remake Canada in a Right-wing image, it'll be very, very incrementally; and I personally doubt it would be overly successful in the long run, anyway. I believe (ironically, mostly unrelated to the NDP wins) that Canada is moving, socially, to the Left over the next generation.

[ToadBrother]

I think you're right. Harper was undoubtedly as surprised as many of us at a Tory majority, and I get the feeling he'll be fairly cautious, as he is in most things.

If he plans to remake Canada in a Right-wing image, it'll be very, very incrementally; and I personally doubt it would be overly successful in the long run, anyway. I believe (ironically, mostly unrelated to the NDP wins) that Canada is moving, socially, to the Left over the next generation.

Honestly, for the most part, I don't think most Canadians want a socially conservative government. Yes, I know there are regions where social conservatism is popular, but all in all, I don't see it happening. Balanced fiscal conservatism, that's something I think a lot of Canadians would like; sensible spending, tax cuts where possible, but not abandoning the poor or the sick.

[nittanylionstorm07]

The fact is that this is very much Layton's victory. Some of those candidates in Quebec are total mysteries. If Jack has to retire, the NDP could see their success disappear. The best I can suggest at the moment is that Layton find a lieutenant who could, if need be, step into his shoes.

It will be Mulcair. I can't believe there is any doubt about that.

[WWWTT]

I'm not too sure I can count the two minority governments as part of the regular cycle. Harper's still a relatively young man, and as impressive as the NDP gains are, Jack Layton is not a young man, and may not be the guy leading the charge in 2015. Succession is a dangerous thing, and I think it's something the NDP has to worry a lot more about than the Tories.

It's early days, but providing the Tories suppress the ideological leanings of some members and governs from the center, I honestly wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them win again in 2015.

I believe that Jack was going to retire after this election but somehow everyone has now come to the conclusion(prematurely in my opinion)that he will not.

I wouldn't be suprised if he announces his retirement after one or two years.

The NDP have a wealth of good candidates that could bring the party to a new climax!

WWWTT

[nittanylionstorm07]

I believe that Jack was going to retire after this election but somehow everyone has now come to the conclusion(prematurely in my opinion)that he will not.

I wouldn't be suprised if he announces his retirement after one or two years.

The NDP have a wealth of good candidates that could bring the party to a new climax!

WWWTT

I dunno, Jack is 4 years away from being Prime Minister. I think Jack stays on through then, and if he isn't successful in the 2015 elections, he retires, but if he is, he becomes prime minister for 3 years before handing it off to Mulcair.