Congratulations Canada

**IdRatherBeSkiing** · 05-08-2011, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by dazed&confused

Speaking of which, now that we have a majority I guess Contempt of Parliament died at dissolution & won't be coming back again. So I guess the public will not have to know of anything about
1) Afghan Detainees
2) F35 Underestimates. However we will hear thecrowing & see the backslapping of the DND @ being able to negoiate the aircraft programme at approx 50% of every other JSF partener including the US.
3) The Bev Oda fiasco.
4) Election expense curiousities.
It's nice to start with a blank slate, isn't it?

If the old parliment had of wanted to know those things, they shouldn't have forced the election should they have?

**Mark** · 05-08-2011, 08:13 PM

Here is how it played out from my perspective. The Liberals clearly miscalculated the mood of the public. With the mini-scandals of Bev Oda and their charge of contempt I believe that the strategists inside the Liberal party believed they could ride a wave of embarrassments into a minority government.[At the very least]

I initially thought that the Liberals and NDP would pay dearly for forcing an election. However, I then thought that Harper's conservatives were taking a hit from the combined Liberal, NDP, Bloc assault and would likely only achieve a minority again.

Jack Layton's sudden rise also surprised me completely, in particularly in Quebec, but it appeared that Jack could very well win the election with a minority. I don't mind tellling you that such a prospect scared me. Layton and the NDP could have completely screwed up our emerging economy. In fact, I was urging those who would not vote for Harper to vote for Ignatieff. Considering their local MP of course.

On election night it was obvious that the NDP was going to make some unbelievable gains, but again I was surprised (pleasantly so) that the Conservatives were able to come up the middle and achieve a majority. I never in my my wildest dreams would have predicted a Conservative majority with an NDP opposition. Never.

I hate to admit it, but I'm actually kind of happy for Jack, this last term may well be his Swan song as party leader and considering all of the physical obstacles he faced he should be commended.

The Liberal Party, on the other hand, got exactly what it deserved. Since the departure of Jean Chretien they have been unable to find a descent leader with charisma, but moreso a vision to lead the party and appeal to Canadians. Instead they have been stuck in the mud, hoping that their adversaries mistakes would help the public forget why they voted the Liberals out in the first place. A flawed strategy indeed. I sincerely hope that they exercise some humility and rebuild because this Country needs two parties with the ability to lead. Healthy competition and the possibility of defeat keeps politicians on their toes and we need that.

My prediction for the next election depending on the Conservatives are that of a Liberal resurgence after they choose a new leader (Possibly Justin Trudeau) and an NDP fall from grace particularly in Quebec.

If the conservatives manage to get through the next four years without the economy tanking or a pile of new scandals they may well see another majority. However; they can no longer blame their party practice on their political adversaries.

At the end of the day, I am happy we have returned to majority governments.

**triedit** · 05-08-2011, 09:44 PM

Id never miss a throne speech if Trudeau was PM. He's easy on the eyes.

**Mark** · 05-08-2011, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by triedit

Id never miss a throne speech if Trudeau was PM. He's easy on the eyes.

How utterly superficial of you.

ROFLMAO.

**triedit** · 05-08-2011, 11:44 PM

Yup : D

**IdRatherBeSkiing** · 05-08-2011, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by triedit

Id never miss a throne speech if Trudeau was PM. He's easy on the eyes.

I believe the GG gives the throne speach written by the PM. Maybe Harper will avoid running against Justin by making him the GG?

**IdRatherBeSkiing** · 05-08-2011, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mark

Here is how it played out from my perspective. The Liberals clearly miscalculated the mood of the public. With the mini-scandals of Bev Oda and their charge of contempt I believe that the strategists inside the Liberal party believed they could ride a wave of embarrassments into a minority government.[At the very least]

I initially thought that the Liberals and NDP would pay dearly for forcing an election. However, I then thought that Harper's conservatives were taking a hit from the combined Liberal, NDP, Bloc assault and would likely only achieve a minority again.

Jack Layton's sudden rise also surprised me completely, in particularly in Quebec, but it appeared that Jack could very well win the election with a minority. I don't mind tellling you that such a prospect scared me. Layton and the NDP could have completely screwed up our emerging economy. In fact, I was urging those who would not vote for Harper to vote for Ignatieff. Considering their local MP of course.

On election night it was obvious that the NDP was going to make some unbelievable gains, but again I was surprised (pleasantly so) that the Conservatives were able to come up the middle and achieve a majority. I never in my my wildest dreams would have predicted a Conservative majority with an NDP opposition. Never.

I hate to admit it, but I'm actually kind of happy for Jack, this last term may well be his Swan song as party leader and considering all of the physical obstacles he faced he should be commended.

The Liberal Party, on the other hand, got exactly what it deserved. Since the departure of Jean Chretien they have been unable to find a descent leader with charisma, but moreso a vision to lead the party and appeal to Canadians. Instead they have been stuck in the mud, hoping that their adversaries mistakes would help the public forget why they voted the Liberals out in the first place. A flawed strategy indeed. I sincerely hope that they exercise some humility and rebuild because this Country needs two parties with the ability to lead. Healthy competition and the possibility of defeat keeps politicians on their toes and we need that.

My prediction for the next election depending on the Conservatives are that of a Liberal resurgence after they choose a new leader (Possibly Justin Trudeau) and an NDP fall from grace particularly in Quebec.

If the conservatives manage to get through the next four years without the economy tanking or a pile of new scandals they may well see another majority. However; they can no longer blame their party practice on their political adversaries.

At the end of the day, I am happy we have returned to majority governments.

Then NDP made huge gains in Quebec and modest gains throughout the rest of the country. Without Quebec we would be congratulating Jack for going from 40 - 50 seats.

As Schmoe pointed out in the other thread, the Conservatives got only 1.8% votes more than last time. But that meant they held their 2008 levels in most ridings. With the Liberal vote collapsing (the real story on this election) they got a lot more seats.

Interesting article in the Saturday star outlining where some of the party insiders felt was the turning points in the election and what went wrong for the Liberals. Some felt a question about attendance from Jack to Iggy got Iggy befudded and defensive was the key blow (also revealed that Iggy felt he didn't need to prepare like the other 2 since he was debate champion at Harvard). Others felt the Liberals tried to attack based on parlimentary procedure rather than focusing on their family campain. Good read if you get the chance.