Where’s the bump that the Liberals should have been getting in the polls after Iggy’s coronation? Shouldn’t he be enjoying a honeymoon right now? What went wrong?
According to Conrad Winn, president of COMPAS Research, the Conservatives are well into majority territory at 43%, and the Liberals are where they were in 2006 at only 30%. (H/T to Calgary Junkie in comments from previous post. To listen to the audio file see CFRA Tuesday, December 30, 2008 – Ignatieff in the Polls.)
Discussing the results of the poll done for Canadian Business online, Winn suggests that one of the reasons that the Liberals didn’t get that expected bump may be the way Iggy was parachuted into the leadership position.
He also says that Canadians are not happy with the coalition and don’t see a great difference between Iggy and Dion based on policies.
Winn says Harper is more trusted when it comes to the economy.
Ignatieff is between a rock and a hard place right now. He can’t shake the coalition loose for fear of alienating the left wing of the party, but if he doesn’t do it soon, he risks alienating the majority of Canadians. Things should get very interesting indeed towards the end of January.
Oh, yeah. And remind me again Lawrence Martin, why Stephen Harper would want to quit?
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Update: H/T to Alberta Girl in comments for this Ipsos poll result, which confirms that Stephen Harper is still Canada’s favourite!!!
“Is there Ignatieff-mania breaking out across the country? The answer is no,” Bricker said. “Harper hasn’t crashed and Ignatieff has not taken off.”
More at Capital C.
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Saturday Update: Welcome SDA Readers!!!
A big welcome also to Jack’s Newswatch readers!!
Hmmmm. 43% is very good news. It must mean that our voices ARE being heard in spite of an attempt by the losing parties to grab power without a mandate.
One of the reasons I couldn’t stay away from politics was that I was afraid I would regret not doing my share of getting an accurate message out.
If there is a vote of non-confidence, I really hope that there is an election and the Conservatives get their majority. It is the only way the media will get the message — the Liberals lost and yes, the Conservatives won fair and square — and no, their winning was not a fluke.
Sandy, I think the message that is coming though loud and clear is that Canadians do not want to have their voices ignored.
Whether it’s a leadership race or a general election, Canadians value democracy. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the next election will see a huge rise in voter turnout!
The influence of the MSN is waning in Canada, thanks to bloggers like yourself. We are no longer stuck with only the Liberal propoganda machine to inform us and can get both sides and form our own view. Iggy signed on to the coalition and even if he and the MSN gloss over that fact it remains his cross.
the poll only has 600 respondents…I’d wait for some more polls to come out to see if they converge on a trend.
and ones that poll for an n of 1000….
I don’t know about this politics/Christmas break stuff.
Shouldn’t a girl get out of her workout clothes and stop enjoying life so much?
Giddy, is the word to describe the thrill!
Good posts ! Sandy and Joanne Watching the MSM try to spin the voters, little dibs and dabs such as “Harper should go while he’s ahead” Dion was right re carbon tax? Jim Hensen says so?? The Iggy show is about to start, drum roll. Seriously what the libs got here is a “pair of eyebrows, a large ego, and a parachute” and it’s all firmly attached to the “three stooges” Canadians will remember the three of them sitting there all smug for a long time. Truth is we are quite satisfied with P M Harpers policys they are working and Canada is being held up to the rest of the world as an example of how to do it right.If, and it is a big if, PM Harpers government goes down to a coalition I will not be satisfied with less than an election. Nobody but nobody voted for the coalition of stooges who are beholding to the Separitists for every single vote, insane! The MSM is shameful for not asking to see the “weaseal deal” just what was promised and to whom?? why does nobody ask?? I will never accept a result that comes from a stolen election! If Hi-Jack Layton thinks he knows what Canadians want got to the voters Hi-Jack I can tell you the voters out west are not amused.
cheers Bubba
That 73% for the tories and grits. The has BLOC has 9%, the green around 5%. That leaves about 12 to 13% for Layton. The NDP will be lucky to get 10 seats with does numbers. Layton is going to have to attack Iggy to improve his number
According to reports, the market in the US is up today and people are buying. Oil is up.
What if all the panic was caused by a rumor started by a Senator-democrat Chuck Schummer, around Oct, to help O get elected. What if all the panic was to get out before O raised capital gains taxes. And what if the so called panic was by investors doing their normal year end adjustments for the coming tax season.
And how much of said panic was caused by the media to spread fear, to get O elected.
In a very few days this man is going to start disappointing his base, big time. He will not pay their mortgage, or get them a job, or take care of their kids, or make them smarter.
But, he will put in place a trillion dollar stimulus pkg that most congressmen/women will read or understand before voting.
I also hope for an election in early March. Iggy was parachuted into his riding, and then the leadership.
He will be defeated and maybe Dion will replace him. He beat him once. I doubt Iggy would stay here if he lost seats in the next election.
That should be will not read or understand, before voting.
Just popped over to NNW and there is an Ipsos poll as well
“Results of the poll, conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global National in late December, show 43 per cent of Canadians said they believe Harper would make the best prime minister, compared with 33 per cent who picked Ignatieff and 23 per cent who sided with Layton.”
So the polls are not saying what the media is telling Canadians.
Whew!!!
What I can’t believe in these polls, is where is the 33% coming from for the Liberals. Do people not realize that they will get the coalition with the Liberals and the “green shift”. Why would anyone trust their hidden agenda.
Thanks, AG!
Ruth, those are still good numbers for the CPC. The new Liberal leader is obviously not an Obamassiah.
I love it!!!
Liberal is the default setting for about 1/3 of Canadians. It is our job as conservatives to get such a positive message out that 1/3 becomes less than 1/4. We can only do that by giving out positive proactive ideas by the gallon. The sheer volume of material will keep the liberals reacting against which only strengthens our message while making them look like losers.
Maybe the Iggy parachute is designed to open on impact? Incidentally, I see Chuck Guite is being released on parole just in time for his Liberal senate appointment – that got pre-empted by the unforeseen circumstances of Stephen Harper still being in the driver’s seat. Maybe Guite’s return to the news will remind Canadians of which party he was fronting for. Can we get our $$$ back before the Liberals are allowed to run again?
I would like a break down by province of these results. Why are cdns asked if Duceppe would be a good leader or is trusted. We don’t vote for him.
Having taken part is some on line polls, it is impossible to not answer a question so that is probably where the liberals numbers come from.
Maybe they just polled ontario and quebec with liberal questions.
How will” Special K” spin this……..to Iggie’s advantage?….You gotta know he’s working on that right now
How will” Special K” spin this…
Meh. Who cares? He’s yesterday’s news.
Liberal is the default setting for about 1/3 of Canadians. It is our job as conservatives to get such a positive message out that 1/3 becomes less than 1/4.
You know what, Joe? I see great hope. I think that the Stephane Dion- Coalition disaster has wreaked great havoc on the Liberals, and the fact that Iggy still hangs on is going to be his downfall. I don’t think Liberals appreciate being excluded from the nomination process, and I don’t think that they appreciate being lumped in with the socialists and the Bloc.
Is it possible to goad the LPC into a non-confidence vote, dissolve the house and declare an election, then barely run and still win a majority? ummm… (real conservative)
……”and I don’t think that they appreciate being lumped in with the socialists and the Bloc.”
..but don’t forget Joanne, the quote from Iggy a few threads ago that Quebec and keeping THEM happy was his main goal (paraphrased)
That will really hurt him if that INFORMATION can become a main event!
are you twits so sheltered that you think you had anything to do with Harper’s poll nos.?
Ignatieff’s got you drooling all over and on the run.
Your obsession with the Liberals is a clue that you are not sure of your leader.
Come on babes, admit it.
The majority of callers to Montreal radio, letters to the editor, and people on the street favor the Liberals. I’m talking about English Montrealers. In the last election, the Liberals were outpolling the Conservatives on Montreal Island in particular. I know, it’s nuts. I cannot figure it out, it’s beyond comprehension. I think the strong Liberal establishment (and the media) in Montreal has a lot to do with it. Probably the elite brainwashing the general public!! Talking to many people here, I get the distinct impression that the Liberal tactic of fear-mongering is working. Too many believe the nonsense coming from the opposition. You try to tell them that a mature voter votes for the party that is best suited to lead the country rather than “voting Liberal because my father, grandfather did so.” It is so difficult to reach these people. I just don’t understand how they are not able to get it!!
Anyway, that’s why I believe PM Harper’s fireside chats and mailing literature to Canadians explaining what the Conservatives are all about is an effective way of reaching them.
I would like to see a weekly Utube chat, by various conservatives. That way the opposition would not get equal free time.
Martin @9:52 pm
“are you twits so sheltered that you think you had anything to do with Harper’s poll nos.?”
No we are pretty sure that it is “you twit” that have made our polls favorable for us. Thanks, we appreciate it and keep up what ever you are doing.
What’s the matter Mr. Martin? Jealous? Of course we know that next week the polls could say something entirely different.
I don’t care where the Liberal bump is. That’s their problem, and once again instead on building some enthusiasm for Harper’s nos. and why they’re steady,
we’re worrying about the Liberals and the partisan noise media.
AG – I think that we need to give the Harper oppo. team some credit in defining Dion, and contributing to Dion’s demise because they did a darn good job of defining him and his Green Shift, just as they’re doing with Iggy already.
You must be threatening the lib bloggers Joanne…their nuts are falling of their tree and landing in your backyard.
Ed @ 10:05
That is fairly normal and really, I think expected.
I have family on the island and frankly,I think you hit the nail on the head, it is old family voting patterns.
There is more to Quebec than Montreal and the polls that we all saw, at a Lib blog, had the Bloc not doing to well.
They will be in fighting form too.
Don’t forget, they must be election weary and with any luck, not even in the mood to care!
Bec, the Quebec voter is sophisticated. I think you know that when they vote Liberal provincially, they’ll vote Bloq federally. And vice versa. Myself, I’m just frustrated that so many here refuse to vote Conservative. I used to vote Liberal up until two elections ago when I voted Conservative for the first time. Why? Simply because the Conservatives are the best party by far, it’s a no-brainer!! Why cannot others see that??
The key is Ordinary Canadians who figured their VOTE just didn’t make any difference… or that all parties were the same.
The “COALITION” woke them up…
But the usual suspects will try very hard to lull Ordinary Canadians back to sleep.
The answer is an ELECTION…the sooner the better.
no voice @ 10:55
“The key is Ordinary Canadians who figured their VOTE just didn’t make any difference… or that all parties were the same.”
And now 3 of the parties have rendered their supporters ideology, meaningless. I for one would take that pretty hard.
“You must be threatening the lib bloggers Joanne…their nuts are falling of their tree and landing in your backyard.”
Ha Ha – Boy isn’t that the truth….what are they talking about anyway – the latest poll numbers must have gotten their shorts in a knot knowing that even with a new leader; the libs still have lots of work to do.
Where would Martin ever get the idea that we thought we had anything to do with the poll numbers? Nuts is right.
AG @11:16
“the latest poll numbers must have gotten their shorts in a knot knowing that even with a new leader; the libs still have lots of work to do.”
Ya, it is a humbling experience and so obvious but Swoosh, right over their heads.
I am pretty proud of Canadians right now and I hope the bandits get the message.
This is getting laughable.
The Niagara Review has one Corey LaBroque following Larry Martins’ theme by suggesting that it is Rob Nicholson who is “secretly” vying for Harper’s job.
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371495
At least they have a theme – all the stories I have read certainly have PC’ers at the forefront – I sure haven’t seen any old reformers being touted for the top job.
This is a move to rid Ottawa of the reform element once and for all; get rid of that splinter group that had the audacity to rise up and change the status quo!!
Of course; some of Cory’s wishful thinking has to do with the Great Hope Obama
“For the first time in eight years, Canadians are going to be jealous of the kind of leadership Americans have after Barack Obama’s inauguration Jan. 20. Watch for the Obama administration to move swiftly in 2009 to set a tone showing the new president means business on all fronts -the economy, health care, foreign affairs.”
Ok – here is one Canadian who is not “jealous” Cory. I just think it is so funny how people like Cory were anti American Bush Haters and now they are pro-American Obama lovers. And the man has not done one single thing yet.
Are you all jealous??
Martin “babe”, the only ones drooling over Ignatieff are his wing of the LPC. A pack of drooling, dribbling fools all excited over the tall, dark stranger who came to town to perform a miracle, lead them out of the dark abyss.
It’s Liberal who are obsessed with Conservatives and for obvious reasons. We have a capable leader and a party that continues to be well funded by the ordinary people because they have confidence in that leadership.
We also have more sense than to bet the farm on a virtual unknown quantity, a greenhorn in politics who has spent most of his life AWAY.
It shows very poor judgment on his part to assume he can swagger back to the Country from the halls of academia and be coddled and hoisted in adoration to be crowned king of the Liberals and then PM presumptive.
He first got elected in a safe Liberal riding by the bumping of Jean Augustine who had no intention of retiring at the time. Now it appears he’s bumped all other candidates for the Leadership before the convention even takes place. That’s democracy of the desperate, any Despot would be proud.
No, I’m not the least bit jealous of the Americans having Obama. Frankly, I’m quite sick of him already.
We have a wonderful first lady too, and we need to see more of her and less of Ms. Obama.
AG, I was just reading that article myself. What a laugh!
Ruth, I wrote a post shortly after Obama won the election saying asking if anyone was sick of him already, and do you know that I get hits almost every day with people using those search words!!!
Then I trundled over to the Star to read about the Year of Iggy….
The writer talks about how “tight message control” is going to be the theme this year.
Hmmmm – isn’t that being “dictitorial” or “controlling”? Don’t these writers think? Ok – that last question was rhetorical?
Then she lauds Obama for being vague and really saying nothing at all – and people loved him for it!
Too funny. I did sent a little comment in saying that the writer must have written a satirical piece. We will see if it makes it through moderation.
Yikes – read this lofty tome.
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371449
I am now thinking that maybe all this Harper should go and Iggy is the ONE stories are fighting for the life of the Liberal party.
I for one; do not think that the Liberal Party is in any danger of disappearing; but there must be fear in the ranks given that we have seen so many stories lately about getting rid of Harper; installing new “safer” leaders and bringing up Flanagan’s writings – again.
Just food for thought that maybe it isn’t arrogance that is leading the charge; but fear.
Isn’t that so typical of the Liberal mind, lauding someone they’ve decided to put on a pedestal for saying nothing at all? It’s all about store-fronting, forget the quality of the merchandise.
It’s all about style, flash and empty rhetoric filled with platitudes to mesmerize and fool enough people to attain power.
That’s the Liberal way, they’re trying it with Iggy, their chosen one.
What kind of fool would assume Harper would leave or be replaced at the peak of his political life except a desperate Liberal.
They really lost big time when they teamed up with the Dippers and the Bloc in a desperate power grab. That’s not how we choose governments. Iggy’s still keeping the coalition option open proving he really doesn’t get it either.
In the next election will they run as a coalition? Seems only fair if they feel they can govern the country as a troika.
Rex Murphy – as always – says it perfectly.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090103.COMURPH03/TPStory/specialComment/columnists
The columnist wrote, gasped, thrilled, vibrated that Mr. Obama was “… that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health-care plans … but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment. These kinds of people actually help us evolve.” Rhapsody is too timid a word.”
When I was growing up in Montreal (Verdun actually) I worked on a couple of Liberal Bryce Mackasey’s campaigns during the sixties. Bryce Mackasey, for those younger folks, represented Verdun during the sixties and into the seventies and won six federal elections.
My father voted for him and if he was good enough for my father then he was damn well good enough for me.
I’ll take a moment to tell a quick story.
I was unemployed for a short time in the early seventies and was getting the run around by the UIC people. After a frustrating two and a half months I turned to Bryce Mackasey for help and within exactly two days I had a cheque in my hands for all that I was owed.
It didn’t hurt that he was the minister responsible for UIC at the time AND his constituency office was in the same building.
That was the kind of politician Mackasey was. He bent over backwards for his constituents. Even the youthful unemployed ones.
This story also explains one of the reasons (and there are many) why I dislike Brian Mulroney so much.
Mulroney referred to Mackasey as an “old whore” when Macasey was appointed Ambassador to Portugal by John Turner in 1984 and that hit close to home.
Then I moved to Alberta and the face of politics changed for me. Especially when the National Energy Program was introduced.
You know something, I will not, to this day, buy gas at a Petro Canada.
I don’t care if my wife has to push our minivan a hundred miles and we pass two Petro Canada stations along the way.
NeilD
Ha Ha Neil – my husband is the same – he refuses to stop at Petro Canada – even, as you say – there isn’t another gas station for miles!!
Well, I wouldn’t punish myself, I’d buy a few drops to get me to the next station!
Alberta Girl Says:
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
This is getting laughable.
This is a move to rid Ottawa of the reform element once and for all; get rid of that splinter group that had the audacity to rise up and change the status quo!!
AG, brilliant, right on!! I moved to the Conservatives precisely because they were a breath of fresh air. The trouble is, when you upset the apple cart, those in positions of power try to defame you. And the danger is always present for the appearance and the activities of a Judas or two!! Hey, I’m from Quebec and you’re from Alberta and we’re on the same wave length!! Let’s hope Canadians across this country see the light as well!! BTW, we were disgusted how Preston Manning was treated by the media, etc., his voice made fun of, ridiculed (air farce), etc.. You know, he might have been a great prime minister just as Robert Stanfield might have been. Sadly, BS won out.
And don’t forget Stockwell Day, Ed. Think about how Obama strolling the beach shirtless is handled compared to Day jetskiing across Lake Okanagan was handled.
I do have hope that Canadians woke up when the Coalition tried to take over and are not engaged. They can now go online and debate things – facebook groups are still going on and the debate is lively there. This gives the CPC the chance to point out how the media have lied – either by omission or be suggestion.
Martin???
Would that be Lawrence, Don or Paul??
Bottom line,as you have pointed out, all the MSM attempts at manipulation is fizzling out.
Alberta Girl Says:
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
This is getting laughable.
Corey LaBroque
“For the first time in eight years, Canadians are going to be jealous of the kind of leadership Americans have after Barack Obama’s inauguration Jan. 20. Watch for the Obama administration to move swiftly in 2009 to set a tone showing the new president means business on all fronts -the economy, health care, foreign affairs.”
Ok – here is one Canadian who is not “jealous” Cory. I just think it is so funny how people like Cory were anti American Bush Haters and now they are pro-American Obama lovers. And the man has not done one single thing yet.
Are you all jealous??
Jealous, jealous of what?? Laughable indeed. How can anyone write such stuff!! And this guy knows how great Obama is and what his administration will accomplish!! LOL Obama has yet to prove himself. So far, he’s talked about “change” period!! That’s it. These writers illustrate how slanted they are!!
“For the first time in eight years,..”
To that I say: ” for the first time in many years, Canadians have a government they can be proud of, a Conservative government under PM Stephen Harper!!”–who has proven himself, over and over again, as a world class leader providing good government!!
Liz J Says:
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
It’s Liberal who are obsessed with Conservatives and for obvious reasons. We have a capable leader and a party that continues to be well funded by the ordinary people because they have confidence in that leadership.
Liz, you got that right!! They’ve been obsessed with PM Harper since day one. The PM doesn’t fit the mold, he’s different; he’s see things as they are and says so. To have such an honest PM is a threat to the opposition. How can you vote for a Liberal or NDP member when they see honesty as a threat to their way of governing!! These guys don’t want the apple cart to be upset, leave things as they are, a nice and comfortable status quo.
What I don’t understand is, if so many on the left think the coalition is such a good idea, then why don’t they roll up their sleeves, start holding meetings at all levels, and work towards merging the Libs and Dippers into one Party ??? Seems kind of obvious to me.
I’ll even help them get started by suggesting the new Party call themselves “Labour”. That should please Layton, as he can keep referring to “working families”. New Democratic Party is a too long and clunky a name anyway. And when the Libs claim bankruptcy, they can stiff all their creditors, and re-emerge under a new name.
Geez, I better stop before I give the left too many good ideas.