Conservative Party Sponsors Race Car

[scribblet]

But why is it important to make any such comparisons at all? Is such analysis only limited to American foreign nationals, or is the rest of the world fair game as well? Shall we compare opposition leaders to other American "Georges" in another futile attempt to define them (e.g. Stephane Dion and John Kerry)?

Is the Canadian political landscape so lacking in properties and textures as to be undefinable without American foils? If the CPC = GOP, then shall we conclude that the LPC = Democrats, complete with Howard (not John) Dean blessings and keynote speech?

What is the nature of this political psychosis?

LOL I think you've hit the nail on the head, why would any non conservative care what the CPC did with their money, unless - oh - no - its a bit of anti americanism like Layton's hissy fit over it. The nay sayers are just driving the oldest clunker of all, anti Americanism. Besides a few million canucks watch it so there's your answer.

[gc1765]

Somebody who likes NASCAR is more likely to go out and vote Conservative, which I'm guessing their natural allegiance is anyways, rather than not bothering to vote. That is the demographic they are aiming at.

You think the fact that the Conservatives are sponsoring a race car will encourage more people to get out and vote? I guess I can kind of see your point, I just don't think too many people are going to rush out and vote just because they saw the Conservative logo on a race car...which brings me to the next point:

Sure lots of Globe and Mail readers think this isn't a great idea. Some of them may be turned off by the idea. Ask yourself this question. How many are going to decide not to vote Conservative because of this one move? Among those who were seriously considering Conservative before the NASCAR deal.

Probably at least as many (if not more) than will get out to vote just because they saw the Conservative logo on a race car. Any gains in votes will probably be canceled out by people who will see this as hypocritical on the environment issue.

Anyways, what happens if the Conservative car doesn't do well? If people who like NASCAR like it a lot, I wonder how they would react to a last place finish?

[geoffrey]

Jack Layton talking about the Conservatives sponsoring a bicycle race?

Hey, now Jack might just get my vote if he keeps talking like that.

Maybe Harper should listen. Biggest competitive cycling provinces in Canada are Quebec, BC and Alberta, in that order. Hmmm.. the first two he desperately needs votes in and the last one could use some support from the typical urban on the fence voters to shore up support (especially in E-town).

[hiti]

You can follow the results of this unscientific poll Here

So far, Canadians aren't impressed with the idea, but it will be interesting to see how this poll turns out. I would have thought most people would agree it's a stupid idea.

Since when does a political party need public approval or public opinion poll support to engage in self-interested advertising?

If they want to waste their money, it is their perogative to do so - and none of my business.

Why is this an issue? Who cares and why?

WHEN??? When the money the political party is spending comes out of taxpayers pockets.

Bill C-24 in 2003, and Bill C-2 in December 2006 gives a political party $1.75 per vote received OUT OF TAXPAYERS POCKETS.

So please don't anyone say that rewarding Bourque by sponsoring his car at NASCAR is CPC party money

and not porkbarrelling sponsorship with taxpayers $$$$

Political parties are accountable to the taxpayer for the $1.75 they are paid. That's why this is an issue and why people care.

Steve's party has taken taxpayers money wasted to new heights.

Cons who think only conservatives watch NASCAR are deluding themselves again.

Why must everything be a wedge issue with Steve's party?

[scribblet]

Where did the CPC or anyone say it was only conservatives who watch NASCAR, the same could be said of any advertising, its not only conservatives who listen to radio and TV ads the object is to reach everyone and get the political message out.

The same argument about taxpayer's money could be said of anything any party does, they spend it on what they think is best for the party. In this case however, the money is coming from their own fundraising activities which have been very successful, so its not your business really. Unless of course you can prove it came from the $1.75s

The only people who make it a wedge issue are people who prefer to see it and spin it that way.

[M.Dancer]

Where did the CPC or anyone say it was only conservatives who watch NASCAR, the same could be said of any advertising, its not only conservatives who listen to radio and TV ads the object is to reach everyone and get the political message out.

The same argument about taxpayer's money could be said of anything any party does, they spend it on what they think is best for the party. In this case however, the money is coming from their own fundraising activities which have been very successful, so its not your business really. Unless of course you can prove it came from the $1.75s

The only people who make it a wedge issue are people who prefer to see it and spin it that way.

Michael Hardner is a big Nascar fan. Personally I think it's for people with short attention spans.

Sophisticated people prefer F1......

[scribblet]

Michael Hardner is a big Nascar fan. Personally I think it's for people with short attention spans.

Sophisticated people prefer F1......

Personally I find it boring watching people spin their wheels

[Michael Bluth]

Why must everything be a wedge issue with Steve's party?

Because wedge issues is what kept the Liberals in power for 13 years.

[Who's Doing What?]

Michael Hardner is a big Nascar fan. Personally I think it's for people with short attention spans.

Sophisticated people prefer F1......

Personally I find it boring watching people spin their wheels

I think there should be a lot more to racing than just making a left hand turn.

[hiti]

Where did the CPC or anyone say it was only conservatives who watch NASCAR, the same could be said of any advertising, its not only conservatives who listen to radio and TV ads the object is to reach everyone and get the political message out.

The same argument about taxpayer's money could be said of anything any party does, they spend it on what they think is best for the party. In this case however, the money is coming from their own fundraising activities which have been very successful, so its not your business really. Unless of course you can prove it came from the $1.75s

The only people who make it a wedge issue are people who prefer to see it and spin it that way.

If you are so sure it is coming only from fund raising, show us all the proof. Otherwise I maintain that some of the money came from the taxpayer $1.75 Aad even if it is all from donations, those donations are subsidized by tax credits... or out of taxpayers pockets.

Other political parties are not paying for expensive pre-election ads, mega election campaign headquarters, headlines on internet news sites and NASCAR cars.

I think the funnest wedge issue here is Steve's party trying to paint the NDP as being against cars. That really was ridiculous.

[scribblet]

If you are so sure it is coming only from fund raising, show us all the proof. Otherwise I maintain that some of the money came from the taxpayer $1.75 Aad even if it is all from donations, those donations are subsidized by tax credits... or out of taxpayers pockets.

Other political parties are not paying for expensive pre-election ads, mega election campaign headquarters, headlines on internet news sites and NASCAR cars.

Other parties don't have the money, the Liberals are financially challenged. You made the statement, its up to you to prove it. I only know that from my local association.

[jbg]

I am a big Nascar fan but I never can understand the American Army sponsoring a car. Especially when the war costs so much. I can't believe that the Conservatives are such idiots. Another one for the idiot people who plan things aye.

I think it is, on balance, a good strategy. One needs to be perceived as talking to the common man, not the university elites.

[gc1765]

I think it is, on balance, a good strategy. One needs to be perceived as talking to the common man, not the university elites.

Surely they can relate to the common man without looking like hypocrites on the environment?

[geoffrey]

Surely they can relate to the common man without looking like hypocrites on the environment?

Like Dion encouraging his party to pass a law requiring the CPC to meet targets Dion says are unreachable? I'm unsure of your reference here, but that must be it, right?