Why does our election look boring compared to U.S.? (10)
Posted on 08 September 2008 by Jack
WASHINGTON — North of the border, it’s more of the same — four aging white guys who led their parties in the last Parliament once again making the same old appeals to election-weary Canadian voters.
South of the border, it’s the U.S. election of a lifetime, featuring not just an eloquent young senator aiming to be the first black president in U.S. history, but now the youngest woman to make it onto a presidential ticket.
Polls have repeatedly shown that Canadians are riveted by the drama of the U.S. vote. And more than a few of them are suffering election envy.
“I know there’s an election in October, but I can’t be bothered to learn any more about it, especially when it seems like the prime minister never wants to tell us anything,” said Tanya Escobar.
Escobar is a Toronto stay-at-home mother. She spoke yesterday of the election call.
“The American election is hard to tear myself away from. History is in the making no matter which way it goes. It just makes ours seem so meaningless and boring by comparison; just the same old, same old.
“I’d love it if we had some actual personalities with something to say trying to win the election.”
Escobar is not alone. Even those who will compete with Barack Obama and John McCain for attention admitted they find the U.S. election fascinating.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he was enthralled by the American race.
“I’ve been following it very closely,” Harper said on his campaign plane yesterday.
When he was asked to make a prediction about its outcome, Harper eschewed the usual hesitation to comment on elections outside Canadian borders.
“I’ve always said it’s the Democrats’ to lose . . . I still say it’s the Democrats in a walk in Congress.”
Update: Daley: Look across the pond for a lesson in listening to the people
Update: McRae: For VP candidate, the puck stops here
Update: Obama switches off personality politics
Update: MacDonald: Simultaneous campaigns - completely different political cultures
Update: USATODAY POLL: MCCAIN TAKES 10-POINT LEAD
Update: General Election: McCain vs. Obama (poll comparisons)
Update: Segma: Con 43% Lib 25% Ndp 15% Bq 8% Grn 7% Other 2%
Update: Thompson: Oh, Say Can You See…
Update: Limbaugh: We’re Running Against the Entire Washington Government Machine
Note: 7:05 pm and I’m going to leave. Enough for today because the news is all good as far as I’m concerned.
Goodnight, folks.
Popularity: 21% [?]
September 8th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I think the american election has been going on for so long, at least a year so far, that it becomes like a soap opera and we get caught up in it. Whereas here, we don’t know for certain when an election will be held until a few days before GG dissolves and then it’s a mad dash around the country for 30 days and than it’s all over.
Also, the Americans have real debates and arguments about the issues while I would argue our parties platforms are all variations on socialism. Where is the Canadian politician who wants to slash $50 billion off the budget, privatize CBC and introduce mix public/private health care system.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Canadians tend to vote people out rather than in. We only need a few weeks to look at the incumbent’s record and see whether we want more of it.
IMO, an Obama or Palin wouldn’t fare too well here because mainstream Canadians are far too cynical to think of their politicians as saviours nor would most expect that putting in their “drinking buddy” is going to solve the country’s problems.
THe drama of the south rarely factors in Canadian elections.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Simply put, it’s the “groupie” (juvenile) mentality always in play here. Every individual compared/contrasted to former/other politicians on both sides of the border. If people would look squarely at the individual, his/her policies, what he stands for ultimately, listening very closely to each statement/press conference, we’d get farther faster as a society.
The broadcast media in this country (CBC,CTV) don’t re-invigorate one iota. Blaze presentations all the way. For instance, this morning Keith Boag is pummeling the supposed assets of the Liberals vs. the “worries” of the Conservatives. He has that exactly backwards, according to the strategic polls released this morning. Having it backwards doesn’t mean a thing though.
All we’ve heard as of this a.m., is Dion comparing Jack Layton to Barak Obama — according to CBC broadcast.
They should be fully out of the gates right now. Fiercest competition should be showing bigtime. Policy, policy and more policy on the economic front from which the public derives its sustainability.
Apparently it’s also a referendum on the teams’ “trust quotient.” Right now, trusting a government that has implemented the first substantial tax relief in this country in a quarter century, is solid evidence of trust to be afforded TO THAT GOVERNMENT.
The Tories have demonstrated centre/centre right policy over two years, so dispelling this “hard right agenda” is key to returning to gov’t.
We don’t need or should not want the Holleywood/Bolleywood circus. This is business. The people’s business to sustainability of livelihoods.
Let’s hear talk/discussions regarding new aerospace and shipbuilding initiatives, retooling car manufacturing plants (such as has been announced), agricultural initiatives, and get business/industry to provide input on the campaign trail.
Only six weeks TO MOVE/TALK/DECIDE. None of which the Liberals appear able to do. They can’t decide whether to attack Stephen Harper on his trust quotient or his economic policy. And Layton’s out exploiting their indecision with his marxist policies which haven’t worked throughout history to date.
We’re at the “crossroads” or “gotcha moment.”
What we’re after is every conceivable vote for the Conservatives who’ve done a superior job by all assessments for the take=home paycheques in this country, despite the disorders/clear problems in the global economy. Protectionism is going to have to happen to get all national economies going again. It’ll be the toughest thing to reinstitute. Gov’t alone can’t effect results without all other sectors’ input and initiatives.
We actually don’t have time to entertain items like “boring.” Because taking Canada back to a viable future, IS the whole agenda of this election.
It’s the illicit economy VERSUS a legitimate economy, working for citizens. No time for “boring.” It simply does not compute!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am
RE: Ivision’s article under CANADA CATEGORY (this blog)
Here’s the Tory campaign centre-piece, quoting:
Keen to shed his reputation as someone who wouldn’t give a starving man the parsley off his fish, the Prime Minister reeked reasonableness in his press conference. He thanked Canadians for voting him into office; was magnanimous about his opponents; and, talked about how being the father of school-age children kept him “centred and balanced.”
How can PM Harper dispell the above perceptions, surely a myth. He’s a father. A father doesn’t skimp on the parsley. Though some do though.
First of all, correcting the health ministry’s plan to spend $130 million discussing the causes of homelessness over a ten year duration in committee, must be abandoned now, by Clement and the Prime Minister. The pre-fab constructions could be going up yesterday, as they do in communities like Banff when they need service staff living quarters for hosting special events.
Secondly, or scrap that, because it’s the first business in making a claim on majority status, is offering income-splitting for families in the very next budget. A hedge against the rising inflation as job classifications are re-worked and retooled to what looks like will have to evolve — a protectionist economy.
The east’s niches, manufacturing and agriculture. The west’s, oil/resources. And both R & D initiatives.
Hi Cynapse: Didn’t you pull a fast one on the other entry and change topic from economic discussions to the abortion debate.
Everybody better be thinking about what the polico/socio-economic landscape looks like AFTER the vote.
People, why don’t you write up above your “dream platforms/policies?”
We should get the sense “we’re outa the gates” and it can include FUN, OPTIMISM, but STRAIGHT TALKING ON WHAT WILL WORK FOR CANADIANS. And remember, Harper, is a good listener! Key to leadership.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi Cynapse: Didn’t you pull a fast one on the other entry and change topic from economic discussions to the abortion debate.
–
Anna, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Abortion was discussed in that medical thread w/ Mike. Economics was attempted but ignored in some other thread.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:56 am
While the US election has gone on too long, it should have been more than enough time to properly address the issues and problems plaguing their nation, whereas in Canada, a month is not really long enough. In the US it was the Democrats who made the election all about personality and identity politics instead of the issues, and they are now bound to perpetuate along that course just as much as the Republicans who have had to adjust to that fact. I don’t know if anyone else noticed but, in the US, the Democrats just had a long drawn out battle royale over who the biggest victims are, women or blacks. The Democrats’ biggest problem now is that what they started is far from finished. Why is it only wrong when Republicans intend to support those that they identify most with, especially after the Democrats started everyone down that path? While politics does often show us our ugly side, just as there are those who will not vote for Obama because he is black, there are blacks who will not vote for McCain just because he is white, and those who will not support Palin just because she is a woman.
The way I see it, both US political parties are badly broken, and they are taking their country down with them. The Republicans have strayed way off message and perhaps deserve to spend some time in the wilderness, however, when I look at McCain and Obama it is McCain that is offering the change most needed, which is a reform of their whole system and not just an ideological change that really represents little change at all given the current administration’s free-spending ways. Further, in choosing Palin despite her flaws, McCain comes across as honestly looking toward reform. Whether McCain will be in a position to pull off such reform if he gains the Presidency remains to be seen.
The situation in Canada is different because here the Conservatives have spent their time in the wilderness, and it is really only the Liberals who are badly broken and have no real message to offer. With that said, I don’t particularly like what is going on in Canada because with the Liberals being so weak, the Conservatives do not have to concentrate on policy. However, it seems obvious that the Harper Conservatives are most capable of running the country at this uncertain moment in time, so they deserve my continued support.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Cynapse: It’s on the PALIN MANIA (16) entry (Featured article) where I said, “The vote depends on the hard hunt for a viable economy.” Afterwhich you switched to the abortion debate putting up stats on the various demographics.
Always relevant and on topic, Brian S.’ opinion on that thread should be re=entered here this morning.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Ah I remember now and that wasn’t in response to you. Do remember, as one of the few here who doesn’t get their marching orders from Sean Hannity, I have to typically argue against 2 or more people at a time. There was a response to your lengthy economic post and it was never answered.
BTW, didn’t you just pull us off topic with this sideswipe?
September 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Um how about I don’t give a damn about those shrieking jerks who stand in the House and behave in ways that would get my two year old toddeler’s butt paddled. I am so sick of the lot of them. I am past not caring, I actively dislike them all and no longer believe that decent people travel on behalf of us to Ottawa on government business.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Cynapse: Prime Minister’s press conference happening now in B.C. is right on topic. We can do the same. On that thread I was probing you as an economist for ideas/initiatives. You switched to the abortion debate. Winking back, “we’re all on topic as of now.” Let’s stay there. BTW, did you read Brian S. stuff. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Now, we need the Tory gov’t to announce a platform initiative — income-splitting for seniors?
Trashing the health dept’s committee to discuss the causes of homelessness for a decade, instead putting the $130 million up for actual construction of pre-fabs or housing subsidization.
Fannie and Freddie bailout this morning bodes well for Canada’s housing market. There was no other route to go. Canadians need affordable housing from which to live/work out of in all economic sectors. Can’t live out of tents/teepees in the Alberta oilsands district.
Prime Minister’s just talked about job creation. CBC’s mentioned 180,000 manufacturing job losses AND mentioned others coming on line. It’s a start…
BTW, we’re seeking the “popular vote.” For working Canadian families. That’s popular stuff. Sa right!
September 8th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
My neighbors just returned from a 2 wk trip thru the so called battleground states, so there were there pre/post Sarah. He says you can’t believe the change in peoples attitude to the election. And, he says McCain/Palin would be good for Canada as she is very pro canadian. She gave a huge pipeline contract to Transcanada over 3 bidding american companies.
People who were not going to vote will now vote for Sarah, or Piper’s mother etc.
This just from the conversations heard in restaurants, tours, hotels, campgrounds etc. It is going to be a real race.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
This is the third election in four years for Canadians. Yawn. More “working families” from Jack. More “hidden agenda, far-right wing agenda” from the Liberals. More ambushed abortion questions.
Can’t stomach it.
Re the American election. I wish our conservative politicians would not be afraid to be truly conservative. Why can’t ours say “I’m pro-life” and be proud to say it! That’s why I’m finding the American election so fascinating to watch. The differences between the two countries is striking. And it makes me kind of sad. I want a Sarah Palin to vote for here in this country. Now.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
“I want a Sarah Palin to vote for here in this country. Now.”
Let’s hold that thought, “Soccermom”.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I don’t care for the self-description of a “pitbull in lipstick.” That’s attack dog. Though this morning it was reported that already there’s a rush on to buy her rimless glasses. Consumerism, aargh!
Substitute for Sarah Palina mania/phenomenon would be — income-splitting for Canadian soccer moms.
I wear lipstick. I even reapply it on my way to bed. Hope I’ll never resemble a pitbull in any way, shape or fashion. As women we don’t really want to go there.
Fierce discussion of policies/economics CAN BE DONE BY WOMEN. I mean we can’t all become “moosehunters” can we now? Not very realistic.
What’s this info re the Alaskan pipeline not coming on board til 2018?
Good business news for Canada til then.
I’ve had two horrible nightmares involving about 20 vicious dogs all ready to attack ME?
Am I under some kind of threat? Not that I’m aware of. LOL.
Thanks to Mac for the heads up! Sensed your issued warning for a few weeks now “in my buns (bones).”
September 8th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Meant to add the image of bored and boring Canadians I thinks stems mainly from our high record for complacency/acceptance without questioning. Contented never to rock the boat. I think that’s changing and that’s a good thing.
Anyone bored? Provide Quebec with some tourism dollars and delve into real ‘joie de vivre’ foods/conversations/theatre. Toronto and suburbs never really caught on, IMO. But it COULD? Sometime after some order is restored? In Montreal as well. Still they’re not bored on average.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
No one coming on board to address income-splitting for families, Tony Clement’s homelessness committee monies to discuss for a decade? Thought not. Suit yourselves. Don’t need a majority? Thought not. Actually, rude and crude is boring to a degree. But more a drag on a nation’s viable sense of identity and spirit. Correct me if I’m wrong? Or not.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Check the poll, Anna.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=4384b918-d06c-477d-89df-414e9c323c92&k=85367
September 8th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Don’t need to. Saw, 43%. We all know people lie on polls. Now, I can’t figure that out. Of course I’ve never figured out the need to lie. Never expect to.
However, Jack on that post re Clement’s committee and homelessness, you were the single one to speak up to the issue, other than myself.
I agree, trust AND loyalty, are more important than dollars. Always will be. Corny, eh?
September 8th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Toured the Western Fair yesterday and enjoyed many conversations re election/economy/agriculture in Ontario. Advised naysayers (lots of them, due to hard right fears) to take a look at the Harper Accomplishments. Said they would.
Some even alluded to, no mentioned outright how Harper was handpicked by the Bildeberg group. Hillary Clinton’s part-time day job. How do we deal with that?
September 8th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Just advise them of the Mo Strong, Desmarais-owned Liberal Party. How their business interests are more important than the country’s.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
If we had the likes of a Palin or an Obama in Canada we’d call them arrogant and self-centred and over-the-top patriotic. We’d call them egomaniacs and forceful and probably not vote either of them in.
We’re boring…..our politics are boring. Oh, except for when the conservatives air ads, then it’s classified as overly negative.
Sorry folks we can’t handle exciting politics in Canada, neither the left or the media would allow that to flourish for very long.
It’s because the people who count the most…the people are no longer in charge(despite what we may think).
September 8th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
This election should be about Property Rights (and the lack of, in Canada) IMO.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Our “change” could involve as now evidenced in statements above, no more complacency. Yes, that’s it. We’re going through the motions (election) as we should and for now, we’re “assuming the democratic process exists.” Canada, a premier, world-envied democracy.
Soccermom, I did indeed remind them of the Liberal past and present associations. I pointed to Canada’s “marxist party.” NDP.
Jema, YOU ARE RIGHT. As you usually are.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I purchased Harper’s statement of apology to our First Nations’ residential schools scandal at the First Nations’ booth. I’ll frame it.
They had a great T-shirt for sale, sporting four of their ancestors in varying garb, but the laugh involved the saying to the effect, “dealing with terrorism since 1492.” LOL.
They were very supportive of Harper’s policies. That was nice to hear.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Thank-you Anna - I think that you and I are very often on the same page! I hope we get to meet some day.
In my darkest days - back when the whole of North America was on the verge of becoming a Marxist state, I used to play Leonard Cohan on the top of the volume control, so it thundered though my house - this song, IMO, is what Prime Minister Stephen Harper brought to Canada and it is what was brought to the USA when Governor Palin took to the airwaves with Senator McCain - electricity and optimism!
This is a message to all of us from one of the greatest poets Canada has ever produced; I give to you, “Democracy”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5g8CA5ltR8
September 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Tres cool, Jema. Heard that once before. And the beat goes on…
Ahh! Leonard Cohen…
September 8th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Psst. Jema, everybody. Substitute “Trust Can Move Mountains” in the following. Link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y1BxrVB_bk&feature=related
September 8th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I just changed the image in the header because it makes great sense to me.
Who has the better qualificaions to be “boss”?
Why Dion of course and we all know how that is going to turn out.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Our politics may not be as entertaining and well produced as those south of the border, but I dont think they are boring - at least not on the right - particularly the way in which Harper managed to unite the right (while flanking Belinda and the old PC power brokers), and has managed to out think, out smart and out manouver his political opponents and the media. Really quite remarkable in my opinion.
The left side of the spectrum is more boring simply because there is no demand for them to be very good or get any better.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
In that image of Dion he appropriately looks like a rodent caught in Harper’s headlights.
With both US parties badly broken and spinning out of control, their election is beginning to look like a car wreck waiting to happen where at least one of those involved should get totaled. Now, contrast that with our election where Harper may not even notice as he motors over Dion the roadkill waiting to happen.
That is why our current election may seem boring compared to that of the US. Theirs has the potential to be a head-on collision, whereas ours will probably amount to little more than a bump in the night.
September 8th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Last night I watched TV (something I seldom do in the evening) and CNN had a special on about John McCain and his life story. They also had one about Obama which followed but I didn’t watch because it was getting far to late for me.
“Anyway”…I tried to find the video today so I could refer to it but lucked out. The point is that CNN interviewed John and Cindy last night and showed them with all their “bumps and warts”. I really liked it (and that takes some doing for me).
Several senators who were interviewed felt that John has no problem being President and WILL join the best of the two parties in his cabinet.
That is his history.
He’s a maverick.
Being one myself I totally understand and would do exactly the same.
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
In John’s mind his country come first…far beyond party politics and I feel the same. I’ve said it many times.
If John says he’s going to clean up Washington he will do his best and he can do no more. With Sarah at his side he has just thrown down the gauntlet to both the Repblicans and the Democrats…just as Harper has done here in Canada some time ago.
Both elections are important to the people they serve because in both cases “leaders” are aiming for the same goal. They want to return power to the people and that is not a bad thing.
My view — political parties are not important.
The ultimate goal of the “maverick” is!
September 8th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Brian S. can you find your piece on Harris’ gov’t on this site? Another has expressed an interest in reading it. Thanks.
September 8th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Thanks Jack, yup. yup that is the ticket here and in USA; that is why the people are cheering for the good guys. People know the difference between yap and action; who works for us and who works for him/herself and his/her personal friends and overseers.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Could there be a “Canadian Sarah Palin” and, if so, would she be as eagerly embraced (and vehemently reviled) as the Alaskan governor?
Considering how the opposition and their pet-dog MSM spent days and weeks contemplating Rona Ambrose’s hair when she was the Environment Minister, I suspect a Canadian Sarah Palin would not have an easy or pleasant time in the House.
Glad you’re feeling optimistic, Anna… we all should be!!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Unfortunately I think that the good old boys club is still alive and well in Canada. I’m optimistic but not betting on that changing any time soon, and when it does it needs to start from the bottom at municipal level and work all the way up to federal politics.
How many female politicians currently get the same kind of attention as do the males?
September 9th, 2008 at 1:50 am
There seem to be an awful lot of female governors in the U.S. as well. Why haven’t women been as successful here?