[heckles2]

^Apparently it wasn't a big enough issue given the Liberals have been working with a raging economic machine that is working quite well.

For me the problem with the NDP in this election was the non-stop attacks on Martin and the Liberals. I think most energy would have been better focused on attacking Harper. Attacking Liberals certainly isn't a way to get Liberals to vote FOR you.

In this respect Jack Layton was all over the map. He was begging for votes rather then asking, it seemed like a desperate attempt.

That's why I was somewhat unsettled by the NDP this election.

I just feel like it was a gang bang against the Liberal party from all sides, and the Liberal machine held up pretty well against the media and 3 opposition parties going up against it.

If you have friends on the left, the last thing you should do is destroy your cause by supporting the Conservatives in any fashion.

I mean going after Liberals is one thing, but planking your advertising and entire rhetoric against them is another.

 

[heckles2]

In addition to the above comments, I was shocked when the National - so called CBC Liberal friendly - did a piece when they took an "Ontario Red Liberal" into Conservative country to try and "mend fences" for half an hour.

It was practically a Conservative advertisement. The Liberal who went out there said she would "think" about her vote before voting; and I wouldn't say she was a red hearted Liberal. Any convicted Liberal who was having second thoughts would have naturally looked toward the NDP.

Lastly the CBC toted the line that the Conservatives were teh do-gooders with a perfect record. Just a bunch of good guys out in Alberta looking for good, clean government with balanced budgets.

I was shaking my head at the end of that piece. The CBC is supposedly Liberal? I say they have plenty of Conservative voices to let something that biased air.

 

[bizorky]

While I think Layton's musings about the "banks and the oil companies" were indeed a bit much, calling the current NDP party "anti-capitalist" is also a bit much.

And that's still part of the problem, isn't it? If someone on the "left" makes an excessive comment like they above, it gets characterized as if it is the typical sentiments of corporation-hating lefties. If someone on the right questions the existence of social programs, they are defended as just "examining the range of potential alternatives."

It fascinates me that the more right-wing element in this country actually thinks Canada is socialist. I find it amusing. They deserve a guided "fact-finding" trip to Western Europe. When they come back, they will see quite a different Canada.