Manitoba Election

[jdobbin]

I hope people in Manitoba take a close look at this skumbag ndp government's lies. They might have done something that helped your situation. Or you may look at the new promises they are vomiting now and think that would be good for me. You need to look past what is good for the minority and look at the people you love. Just hope they won't get sick and DIE because of the slimy lying pieces of sh!t ndp.

And for you misguided morons that will vote ndp no matter what, I only hope the worst for you!

It has been very difficult for people over the last years with wait times in hospitals.

However, many people also remember the Tories fired hundreds of nurses and reduced how many doctors were graduating from university.

Maybe this time people reject both parties although I tend to doubt it.

[Canadian Blue]

I'm not gonna even bother responding to that poster.

If I could vote, I would vote for the NDP. But unfortunately I'm in Cold Lake during the election.

[madmax]

I still think Gary Doer is going to win a large majority but I won't vote for him because I've lost $2000 in Crocus. My folks have lost $7,500. For that alone, many people won't be voting for him but probably not enough to deny him a majority.

How many people lost money on this? What is the total losses combined?

[madmax]

It may be too late for Gerrard though. Doer's popularity means that the message is not being heard and Gerrard himself may be knocked off.

Those are difficult circumstances. It is tough when you have a message or cause and that message doesn't get promoted by the media. The media does dictate what makes "news" and what doesn't.

Now, stop being so pessimistic. I thought you would know better then to talk about losing the seat before the election day.

You are one of those die hard Liberals, who are the harder on your own party then the opposition.

[madmax]

I'm not gonna even bother responding to that poster.

If I could vote, I would vote for the NDP. But unfortunately I'm in Cold Lake during the election.

Is there no Provincial Green Party in Manitoba? Are there no advance polls?

[madmax]

deleted

[jdobbin]

Is there no Provincial Green Party in Manitoba? Are there no advance polls?

The Green Party imploded here last election. It was all related to internal bickering. They are still picking up the pieces from that time. Many of their candidates come from one riding and run in others. The only chance they is in Woselely where they won 19% of the vote last time. The only problem is that the NDP won 57% of the vote there.

[jdobbin]

How many people lost money on this? What is the total losses combined?

I think last time I heard it was over 20,000 individual investors, many NDP supporters because it was a labour fund.

No one know what the losses will be. It has been kept pretty much under wraps. I expect we'll learn after the vote.

[jdobbin]

Those are difficult circumstances. It is tough when you have a message or cause and that message doesn't get promoted by the media. The media does dictate what makes "news" and what doesn't.

Now, stop being so pessimistic. I thought you would know better then to talk about losing the seat before the election day.

You are one of those die hard Liberals, who are the harder on your own party then the opposition.

The media had probably been more than kind in giving the Liberals any type of publicity. They have only two seats and no official party status. Both the NDP and Tories would be within their rights to deny them a place at the podium for debate if there will be a debate this time. I have heard no indication there will be a televised debate.

It is possible for Gerrard to hold his seat. The riding has most of the Liberal resources being poured into it.

My riding voted Conservative last election. The Liberals have put up a strong candidate. The NDP have put up a 21 year old political science student who lives way across town and has not even gotten his nomination papers signed yet. My wife who actually likes Doer thinks this has lost her vote.

[BubberMiley]

Do you live in Tuxedo? I noticed quite a few Liberal signs there while riding my bike--almost as many as the incumbent Heather Stefanson. I think part of the NDP's advantage is that the tories are running somewhat to the left of them. They've promised nearly five times what the NDP have promised in spending. Considering the NDP has balanced the budget and reduced middle income taxes in their seven years in power--something the previous Tory government never did--people aren't really looking for an even more left-wing version of the NDP with way less experience.

[jdobbin]

Do you live in Tuxedo? I noticed quite a few Liberal signs there while riding my bike--almost as many as the incumbent Heather Stefanson. I think part of the NDP's advantage is that the tories are running somewhat to the left of them. They've promised nearly five times what the NDP have promised in spending. Considering the NDP has balanced the budget and reduced middle income taxes in their seven years in power--something the previous Tory government never did--people aren't really looking for an even more left-wing version of the NDP with way less experience.

I live in Tuxedo. The candidate Audra Bayer is a lawyer with five children and has a reputation as a go getter. It is probably not enough against Heather Stefanson but at least it is a concerted effort to run a strong candidate.

[BubberMiley]

IF the Conservative campaign doesn't improve in the next few weeks, I think the Libs might actually pull a few rabbits out of a hat. The PCs will bring back the Jets? What kind of campaign strategy is that? Any real conservative would be appalled at the idea of spending tax money on a hockey team that the market simply doesn't support. Not to mention the fact that it's a promise that has no basis in reality. McFadyen's inexperience is glaringly obvious. If he doesn't manage to disguise it in time for the debates, his party could suffer tremendously.

[madmax]

They've promised nearly five times what the NDP have promised in spending. Considering the NDP has balanced the budget and reduced middle income taxes in their seven years in power--something the previous Tory government never did--people aren't really looking for an even more left-wing version of the NDP with way less experience.

What is the opinion of the Conservatives in these forums on the Tory campaign in Manitoba?

What you appear to be suggesting is that this group of Tories if elected could be as problematic as were the Grant Devine Conservatives in Sask. ?

Why would they not campaign from the right? Are they trying to use the tactics used by Provincial and Federal Liberal parties across Canada?

[madmax]

IF the Conservative campaign doesn't improve in the next few weeks, I think the Libs might actually pull a few rabbits out of a hat. The PCs will bring back the Jets? What kind of campaign strategy is that?

Maybe you are mistaken, and this is really about Aircraft contracts.

Bringing back a hockey team, shouldn't be front and center in a campaign effort until after elected.

[BubberMiley]

What you appear to be suggesting is that this group of Tories if elected could be as problematic as were the Grant Devine Conservatives in Sask. ?

I'm not sure. The only thing I know about the Devine Tories is they were so corrupt they destroyed the party and one of the cabinet ministers killed his wife. I certainly wouldn't accuse the Manitoba Tories of anything like that. I would only accuse them of not being ready for prime time, considering they have a rookie MLA who's barely 40 for a leader and they're running a terrible campaign. Judging from the word on the street and the numbers of signs in people's yards (not to mention local media coverage that amounts to little more than a brief summary of press releases), you could easily not notice there's an election going on. It's 32 degrees and sunny in Winnipeg right now, so, granted, it's difficult to get people's attention, but if there isn't any buzz generated very soon, this will be a very status-quo election.

And it's way too dry this spring for mosquitos to buzz. Maybe the wasps will get their act together.

[jdobbin]

IF the Conservative campaign doesn't improve in the next few weeks, I think the Libs might actually pull a few rabbits out of a hat. The PCs will bring back the Jets? What kind of campaign strategy is that? Any real conservative would be appalled at the idea of spending tax money on a hockey team that the market simply doesn't support. Not to mention the fact that it's a promise that has no basis in reality. McFadyen's inexperience is glaringly obvious. If he doesn't manage to disguise it in time for the debates, his party could suffer tremendously.

I think it is a ridiculous promise as well and even though the Liberals are running strong candidates in both NDP and Conservative ridings and have been garnering favourable comments from observers on policies such as public housing and removing education tax from property, it is probably having zero impact in terms of getting seats. I've never seen Gary Doer more confident of a massive victory.

[jdobbin]

What is the opinion of the Conservatives in these forums on the Tory campaign in Manitoba?

What you appear to be suggesting is that this group of Tories if elected could be as problematic as were the Grant Devine Conservatives in Sask. ?

Why would they not campaign from the right? Are they trying to use the tactics used by Provincial and Federal Liberal parties across Canada?

It is hard to get a peg on Tory aims other than to focus on crime and policing as well as the healthcare issue. I can't say their policies on health have resonated but crime is always an area for opportunity.

[BubberMiley]

I think the Tories' latest proposal to reduce middle income tax rates might give them a boost, but it would help if they actually had a plan about how they would go about it. They haven't said whether they would make up the revenue by cutting services or raising taxes elsewhere.

[jdobbin]

I think the Tories' latest proposal to reduce middle income tax rates might give them a boost, but it would help if they actually had a plan about how they would go about it. They haven't said whether they would make up the revenue by cutting services or raising taxes elsewhere.

I think they might have been able to propose more of a tax cut if they had left the PST off their promises. I'll have to read more about this latest promise.

[madmax]

It's 32 degrees and sunny in Winnipeg right now, so, granted, it's difficult to get people's attention,

Well you have mine. It's not that warm here. So.... I have to ask, please tell me you are not using Farenheit. Is this a way to mask the cold and have people move from Ontario to Manitoba. Is this how CB was induced to move? Look, if it's really that nice there, how come there weather far south of you is so much colder?

I have to wonder how it is possible to dethrone a government, in Manitoba if there is so little coverage. Is there a good paper online for me to check out the temperature of the election?

[jdobbin]

Well you have mine. It's not that warm here. So.... I have to ask, please tell me you are not using Farenheit. Is this a way to mask the cold and have people move from Ontario to Manitoba. Is this how CB was induced to move? Look, if it's really that nice there, how come there weather far south of you is so much colder?

I have to wonder how it is possible to dethrone a government, in Manitoba if there is so little coverage. Is there a good paper online for me to check out the temperature of the election?

The Winnipeg Sun recently cut six newsroom staff. It doesn't do its own TV, film or national news columns. It rarely does its own editorials anymore. It has no full time coverage of the election at all. It barely covers locals news stories unless they are crime or accident stories. It has cut its sport coverage.

The Winnipeg Free Press does cover the election and has full time reporters for both the legislature and city hall. There are a few excellent writers for the paper. The problem with the Press is that editors let too much get away without oversight. Too many columnists for the paper tread the same ground over and over. They could really do with a shake-up. Move film, TV and general column reporters around.

The Winnipeg Free Press is almost entirely a subscription service online.

As far as the weather goes, we cooled down Thursday and Friday but it is back in the high twenties tomorrow.

To the question of whether it is possible to de-throne the government, the answer is no. Gary Doer is far too popular and the economy has been one of the better performing in Canada.

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070513/national/elxn_mba

If the pundits and columnists are right, Manitoba NDP Premier Gary Doer is on the verge of reaching a rare milestone in provincial politics - a third consecutive majority government.

Doer has run a cautious, low-key campaign for the May 22 election. If he wins, he will become the first Manitoba premier to score three majority victories since Duff Roblin, the respected Progressive Conservative leader who left office four decades ago.

Doer continues to run a campaign that faces no real threat to a continued majority.

He even feels confident enough to reject a televised debate. I can't recall a time since the advent of TV that a debate in Manitoba hasn't happened. I don't think it will hurt his prospects though.

[BubberMiley]

The radio debate this morning was fairly uneventful, much like the campaign in general. I just don't understand what the tories were thinking when they came up with their slogan. Any English as a second lanugage student who's taken idioms could tell you that "Hugh will do" suggests that by selecting him they are settling for less.

[ndp_suck]

Sadly, the Legislature only sits 30 or so days in a year

Really getting a bang for your buck in Manitoba.

And everyone thinks car stealing is a major issue?

MPI fixed that with the immobilizer you can install in your car. They help cover the cost and your insurance rates go down. It's almost a non-issue if you ask me, if you live in the city and are too dense to put one in when car thievery is a big problem, your asking for it.

But if you have a remote starter in your car you have to pay something like $80 for MPI to have it installed. If you have an immobilizer in your car and someone breaks in to steal it, you must pay your deductible. If you don't have an immobilizer and they steal you car you don't have to pay your deductible. Thats government for you!

[ndp_suck]

I lost lots of money in Crocus, but I don't hold the government responsible for losses to a venture capital fund. The government was supposed to have arm's-length involvement in the fund, and jumping in and saying they were making questionable investments might have done more harm than good.

Besides, with the 30% taxback at the outset and the value that the fund still has (somewhere), once everything shakes out, I suspect my losses won't be as bad as they say.

So you lost money and you don't want anyone held responsible?

Doer may not have stolen your money but he is the only one that could call an inquiry

that would find who is responsible! But what they hey. You didn’t loose that much. What about everyone else?