tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597988080513921863.post7380749919360936766..comments2024-03-15T03:20:49.376-04:00Comments on Autonomy For All: NDP for CanadaDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17355077650707854680noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597988080513921863.post-70679309912293010682011-05-02T13:22:31.296-04:002011-05-02T13:22:31.296-04:00I really only talk politics with my sister (NDP ca...I really only talk politics with my sister (NDP card-carrying member) and my Dad (Liberal card-carrying member). They both voted NDP in the last provincial election, although the Liberal candidate won our riding (very popular incumbent - one of the few seats in the Halifax area that didn't go orange). They are both relatively happy with Dexter. We just talk in generalities. It seems he has made some unpopular decisions his first year because of the mess that decades of PC/Lib rule wrought on the economy. But I think he's managed to stay somewhat popular personally - I know my sister and Dad would vote for him again - they blame the cuts he's had to make (I believe in education) on his predecessors' incompetence and not on him. I don't know if their view is shared by the larger populace. <br /><br />I think there are a lot of similarities between the NS and Federal Libs. The NS Libs have been saddled by unpopular recent leadership - primarily former Premier John Savage. When the NDP started to consolidate the Halifax region (I believe around the time of Savage's demise, about a decade before Dexter took power), it really spelled the end of the Libs as a viable party. They generally struggle in rural areas, so if they can't do well in the city - what is left? This seems to be playing out Federally. Dion was not popular, and Ignatieff is worse (my Dad actually called his MP Geoff Regan to rant - at length - about how they could have nominated Iggy leader - told Regan he would end his lifelong membership if the next leader is that bad - I'm pretty sure he meant it). My sister and Dad both voted Liberal in early voting, but for three primary reasons: they really like their MP (Regan), they were worried about vote splitting and a Harper majority, and they voted early before the Orange Tide started to take off. The last point is important, because if they were voting today, they both have said they would vote NDP - they wouldn't be surprised if Regan loses today. And even if he holds on, this is probably his last trip to Ottawa - many of his votes will be from people like my sister and Dad. If the NDP go 100+ seats, and don't mess up badly, this seat will likely be Orange next election (most of the people voted for Dexter provincially). <br /><br />Sorry I couldn't give you more detail about Dexter's popularity. I think he would win again, but that is based on general conversations with my sister and Dad (who are both left-of-center - so take with grain of salt).HalifaxLewisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597988080513921863.post-15149797459941295382011-05-01T22:17:12.098-04:002011-05-01T22:17:12.098-04:00Hey thanks. I'd be interested to hear more fr...Hey thanks. I'd be interested to hear more from the Nova Scotia perspective on its NDP experience thus far, if you still follow it, or have family there that tell you about it. <br /><br />Yes, it will at least break the pattern of the last few years. Either the Liberals will somehow rebuild as a better institution, or the NDP will cement themselves as the governing alternative.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17355077650707854680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597988080513921863.post-14293201095391026082011-05-01T21:37:12.085-04:002011-05-01T21:37:12.085-04:00Daniel - I use to read you frequently at Open Left...Daniel - I use to read you frequently at Open Left (HalifaxLewis - didn't comment much - I really miss that site). I always enjoyed the battles between you and the resident NDP supporter (I believe the commenter went by the handle 'House of Progress') during Canadian elections. I've been in the US for about 15 years now - when I left Canada I was staunchly Liberal for the primary reason that they were the only electable option for non-conservatives. If I were back in my home town of Halifax I would be voting NDP tomorrow. I was so excited when Dexter got elected last year and his ascension in NS may be a path we see repeated at the federal level. Dexter's first step was to pass the Liberals and become the leader of the opposition in a PC (they're still Progressive Conservatives in NS) minority. After a couple years they toppled the PC government and he was swept to power with a majority in the ensuing election. If Layton gets 100+ seats tomorrow, this could well be the way things go federally. I'm sure hoping for step 1 tomorrow. <br /><br />ps: Glad to have found you again.HalifaxLewisnoreply@blogger.com