Canada General Discussion

[Hatman 🍁]

Harper and wife estranged?

Here is an article from last month about their Christmas card: http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/news/2011/12/13/spot-error-christmas-card

Apparently there is a rumour that Laureen is had a lesbian affair with an RCMP officer: http://thepinkelephant.ca/archives/8018

I don't know if that's true of course (it's a rumour), but I don't disbelieve it. Like the article says, Canadian media don't have the same courage to break a story like this than in the US.  Americans get wienergate, but in Canada we get rumours spread on the grape vine. (The same goes for the sexuality of a couple of politicians like John Baird and our mayor, Jim Watson)

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

there is a rumour that Laureen is had a lesbian affair with an RCMP officer

I laughed so hard at reading this that I needed to use my asthma puffer just to be able to breathe properly.

[Hatman 🍁]

That was pretty much my reaction when I heard about it.

[RogueBeaver]

Hebert: no dominant Quebec figures. At least none who are making their star power felt right now- but they are here.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1118895--hebert-lack-of-leadership-material-pushes-quebec-into-unpredictable-terrain

[RogueBeaver]

Ontario PCs back in the lead, 41-33. Though after running a campaign that made Rick Perry's look brilliant in comparison, I don't get much pleasure out of said poll.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1119068--new-ontario-poll-puts-tories-ahead-of-liberals

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

PC Party in first, Hudak in third. Clearly the party needs a competent leader. If they can find one even I might back them.

[RogueBeaver]

I would as well, but Hudak's the only available Blue. Bad enough that we have a lousy Red in Alberta, sure as heck don't need one in Ontario.

[Hatman 🍁]

Horwath best approvals!

[RogueBeaver]

Horwath best approvals!

Everyone always likes the third party leader best. Look at Layton's when Dippers were in 3rd.

[Holmes]

I think Hudak being unpopular hurts the NDP a bit more than the Liberals, as it motivates center and left of center voters to vote Liberal. At least if McGuinty were the unpopular one (well, he is, but not the most), then those swing voters would look to Horwath.

*shrug* The next election's not for another while, so whatever.

[RogueBeaver]

For once I agree with him.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/20/stop-whining-about-political-impudence-and-fight-back

Thanks for the ad material.

http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/137830423.html

[Hatman 🍁]

Horwath best approvals!

Everyone always likes the third party leader best. Look at Layton's when Dippers were in 3rd.

I think Harper usually had higher approvals than Layton. 

[MaxQue]

Gérard Deltell is not agreeing than the 3rd party leader is the most popular.

[RogueBeaver]

Duceppe confirms his retirement for good.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/in-wake-of-probe-report-duceppe-says-hes-finished-with-active-politics/article2310851/

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Gérard Deltell is not agreeing than the 3rd party leader is the most popular.

Aye, nor is Raj Sherman, or... um.... the Green?/Conservative? leader in BC, or the... uh... Liberal?/Green? leader in Saskatchewan.... Victor something? Nor is the... Liberal?? leader in Manitoba, or the NDP leader in NB (whoever that is these days) or the... uh... insert-third-placed-party in Nova Scotia... or the ... Greens? on PEI??

At least Lorraine Michael is popular!! whoo!!!

[Hatman 🍁]

Gérard Deltell is not agreeing than the 3rd party leader is the most popular.

Aye, nor is Raj Sherman, or... um.... the Green?/Conservative? leader in BC, or the... uh... Liberal?/Green? leader in Saskatchewan.... Victor something? Nor is the... Liberal?? leader in Manitoba, or the NDP leader in NB (whoever that is these days) or the... uh... insert-third-placed-party in Nova Scotia... or the ... Greens? on PEI??

At least Lorraine Michael is popular!! whoo!!!

NDP leader of NB is Dominic Cardy.

Lorraine Michael was actually polling lower than her party oddly enough. She seems charismatic, so I dont get it. But then again, I dont consider the NDP to be the third party in NL.

And, Im sure the Tory leader in NS has to be at least somewhat popular?

[RogueBeaver]

I meant at the federal level. Rae is more popular than Harper, even in Ontario.

[Hatman 🍁]

I meant at the federal level. Rae is more popular than Harper, even in Ontario.

Obviously. I mean, Rae is hated by quite a few people here, but many have forgotten his reign of terror on this province. But even those who hate Rae with a passion (like myself), still would prefer him over Harper.

Now, once the attack ads start reminding people in Ontario of what Rae did, say goodbye to a lot of Liberal votes... but where will they go? They wont trust either the NDP or the Tories.

Then there is the new generation who doesn't remember Rae. But they will probably vote NDP.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Baille or something is the NSPC leader, and he's been attacked for being right-wing (too right-wing). PEI Greens is Labchuck, MB Lib either is or was Gerrard (did he resign?), SK Greens is Victor Lau and Liberals is/was Ryan Bater, BC Greens is Sterk and Tories is Cummins. I was joking to make a point

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

A lot of the mistrust of Rae from the left is that he was a sell out, and was not left-wing enough. I do think that centre-left people would be willing to vote NDP if anti-Rae TV commercials shake them off the Liberals.

[RogueBeaver]

Yeah, the left doesn't like when one of their own defects. When the 3 Wise Men defected in '65 certainly no vitriol was spared from the Dipper side.

[Hatman 🍁]

I don't like Rae because he destroyed the ONDP for nearly 2 decades. We are only now starting to rebuild.

[RogueBeaver]

Coderre and Garneau have presided over the political neutering of Pelciquisme- both should've been gone long ago.

[RogueBeaver]

PM vows "aggressive action" @ summit w/AFN.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-rules-out-total-repeal-of-indian-act-vows-aggressive-action/article2312916/

A bit too hasty, methinks. Down, but not yet out.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1119997--the-window-for-sovereignty-that-opened-in-1990-is-now-closed

Hmm...

http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/340976/vivian-barbot-a-quitte-la-vice-presidence-du-bloc

[Holmes]

Fwiw, and it's not worth much, http://www.harrisdecima.ca/sites/default/files/releases/2012/01/25/hd-2012-01-25-en1297.pdf.

If I would have to guess, I'd say the Conservatives' support that came from the Liberals in the last election have returned back, whereas the NDP's Liberal support hasn't. NDP down in Quebec (still ahead by double digits), and ahead in BC and tied in Manitoba/Saskatchewan. Libs up in the Atlantic - a bit surprising. Small subsample, I'm sure.