Poll shows Harper is Canadians' pick for PM

[scribblet]

Polls and more polls but it can change .....

ottawacitizen.com

Poll shows Harper is Canadians' pick for PM

Dion comes up as third choice, falls behind Layton on environment

The Ipsos Reid poll, conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global National and released yesterday, also said those surveyed see Mr. Harper as more trustworthy than Mr. Dion and as someone with values closer to their own.

The online survey -- conducted among a random group of 1,000 respondents from Feb. 15 to Feb. 19 -- reported 46 per cent said Mr. Harper would make the best prime minister.

NDP leader Jack Layton was their second choice at 29 per cent while Mr. Dion trailed at 25 per cent.

The poll is considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

"The current prime minister usually has an advantage in that kind of question," said pollster Darrell Bricker. "But being behind Layton is a significant problem for him (Dion)."

The result is devastating for Mr. Dion, said Mr. Bricker, who is president of the polling firm.

It also looks as if Dion has Stockwell Day syndrome

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/st...343ff467460&p=2

[geoffrey]

He's got worse than the Stock syndrome. Stockwell was destroyed by the media, and I hate to say it, but nearly rightfully so, he's not mainstream in Canada really. But neither is ivory tower academic Stephane Dion.

But who can forget the jetski announcement?

Dion is actually just quite simply not a leader type of person. He's weak and has no control over his party. He belongs in the classroom teaching (where I'm sure he's a fantastic professor), not in the leadership of the opposition. He doesn't really speak acceptable levels of English either. The Liberals chose a terrible leader, and they'll pay for it at the polls.

They had the power to bring in new talent, someone that appeals to all of Canada. Instead... they picked ol' Chretien lieutenant Dion.

[madmax]

I am looking at this poll on Mike Duffy live, as i type this.

Harper has good numbers as "Prime Minister" (that's good since he is one)

Layton being in 2nd isn't good for Dion.

Now, I recall Ed Broadbent holding numbers indicated he would make the best Prime Minister, so Layton being chosen 2nd is not ground breaking.

Layton being chosen best on the Enviroment isn't surprising, but Harper having better numbers than Dion, indicates that you can change your leader but not your record.

And Stephen Harper holds high numbers including having a "hidden" agenda, over Dion who is a close second, and then Layton a distant third. Not that having a "hidden" agenda is all that great to be suspected of.

Regardless, these numbers are absolutely terrible for Dion, who was riding a wave of popularity a few months back.

[geoffrey]

And Stephen Harper holds high numbers including having a "hidden" agenda, over Dion who is a close second, and then Layton a distant third. Not that having a "hidden" agenda is all that great to be suspected of.

20% less Canadians believe the Liberal/CBC message that he has a hidden agenda though then in 2004.

[madmax]

20% less Canadians believe the Liberal/CBC message that he has a hidden agenda though then in 2004.

I like the CBC. I got a Canadian Satellite Dish so I could watch it.

A 20% drop is pretty good.

What is interesting is that Dions is also high. Perhaps these numbers come from the West and Quebec.

Even this number is terrible for Dion, The Liberals are in the early stages of a free fall. Dion is known to be an underdog and to be underestimated. We will have to wait and see.

[jdobbin]

I never really believe these best prime minister polls. Does anyone remember the prime minister polls before the Liberals went down in defeat? They had Martin ahead by a wide margin.

I still think things are very close.

[madmax]

I still think things are very close.

I think anyone looking at the Polling numbers for parties would agree with you. Liberal and Conservatives are pretty close, and the Liberal vote appears to be going to the Greens not the Conservatives. The enviroment mud being thrown in these adds, have driven voters away. However, to underestimate the Liberal Brand at election time is never a wise thing. Those Green votes some 8 points worth that appear to have come straight from the Liberals (what the pollster was saying on tv, not me) are not heavily weighted and the pollster believes that come election, these votes will return to the Liberals.

Therefore, according to this pollster, things are not only very close, they aren't all that secure for the Conservatives should they call an election.

[jdobbin]

Therefore, according to this pollster, things are not only very close, they aren't all that secure for the Conservatives should they call an election.

Harper may fear to go into spring with casualties in Afghanistan. Two NATO soldiers killed there today.

The helicopter crash that killed several American soldiers was probably an accident. However, the fear is that Iran is supplying weapons that have been responsible for eight helicopters being shot down in Iraq. Afghanistan has become very wary on Iran doing the same thing on their border.

I hope Harper is not drawn into a war with Iran.

[geoffrey]

I hope Harper is not drawn into a war with Iran.

He and what Army? Afghanistan will remain our priority, we don't have the resources to go to Iran. I think we may see some more international support for Iran than we did in Iraq however.

[jdobbin]

He and what Army? Afghanistan will remain our priority, we don't have the resources to go to Iran. I think we may see some more international support for Iran than we did in Iraq however.

If the U.S. draws Iran into war, Iran's best strategy is to attack in Afghanistan and Iraq. We'd be drawn in.

[geoffrey]

He and what Army? Afghanistan will remain our priority, we don't have the resources to go to Iran. I think we may see some more international support for Iran than we did in Iraq however.

If the U.S. draws Iran into war, Iran's best strategy is to attack in Afghanistan and Iraq. We'd be drawn in.

Now that'd be a shitshow. I wonder if the Europeans would get off this asses and help us then?

[BC_chick]

I read that same article earlier. I happened to note the following, bottom of the page 1:

Despite all the advantages of holding power for 13 months, the Conservatives can't seem to move into a commanding majority-government-type lead in voter preference. In fact, three recent seat projections have the Liberals gaining seats if an election were held today. Two actually show the Liberals returning to power and even flirting on the cusp of majority. Whatever those pollsters are smoking, I want some.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/st...f467460&k=97721

[Topaz]

I don't really believe that poll unless it was taken in a Alliance/Con area. I know people who voted for him who have changed their minds for the next election!!

[jdobbin]

Now that'd be a shitshow. I wonder if the Europeans would get off this asses and help us then?

I have no idea. They might bugger off thinking that the U.S. had stuck a sharp stick into a hornet's nest.

BBC has reported that the U.S. has drawn up plans to attack.

[Canadian Blue]

If Bush does attack Iran, then isn't it basically garaunteed congress will start impeachment proceeding's. I think a few Republican's would be against him as well for making such a stupid move.