I think the NDP surge is very simple to examine.
Chantal Hebert had it right the other day. She said part of what happened in Quebec is that the PQ and the Bloc got together in a meeting - in the middle of the federal election - and essentially started rumoring that they are supporting another referendum if the PQ wins and the Quebec Liberals lose next provincial election. This turns off a LOT of Quebec voters that vote Bloc for other reasons than separation, so these people found a new home in the NDP and are willing to take that risk rather than a pathetic referendum. This is just one issue, but it is a huge issue most of the English media have overlooked.
The dynamic is 100% different in Atlantic Canada and Ontario. If the dippers in AC and southern Ontario think they have a chance, they are sorely mistaken. Quebec is a different animal, the ballgame is totally different with other rules that don't apply. In Ontario and AC, if this NDP surge is felt, it'll split the left, and the only other party to fill the void is a Conservative Majority.
It is clearly up to the voter on May 2nd to make this decision, and I hope people in the Maritimes and Ontario wake up.. Or to borrow a phrase from Ignatieff, Rise Up! Why? The Liberals are NOT BAD. I outlined some of the positives over the last several decades, but the new red book is just as red as the old ones. College or University for everyone, universal healthcare you can count on, investments in infrastructure, equal rights for everyone... It is all there. It's better costed and better managed than the NDP platform.
If Ontarians and AC don't Rise Up and avoid this NDP distraction, Canada will have a Conservative majority government on May 2nd.
It is that simple. And no, the Liberal party isn't a bad choice. Its a great choice for those who care for universal health care, universal university education, and equal rights... And so much more.
AND, Admiral, do you have any proof to your claims that Ignatieff is a guy who will not deliver the red book he's laid out? Have you read the new red book?? You're just being cynical. The only thing the NDP has over the Liberals, which is dear to this forum, is urban issues. I do think the NDP has a good platform on that. But it isn't like the Liberals are anti-urban, this is a FEDERAL election. I can easily see Jack breaking promises because it is up to local leadership to decide what cities need, not federal politicians.
The NDP has very little to offer over the Liberals in my view. Are they bad at heart? Absolutely not, I'm a left winger. But the Liberals have delivered before and can deliver again. I preferred Gerard Kennedy over the Dion/Ignatieff duo the Liberals have had after Martin, but Ignatieff isn't a bad guy. He's still a Liberal and has a pretty good red book in my eyes. The only place where I generally disagree with Ignatieff on is foreign affairs, I am not happy about his historic comments on Iraq. I don't trust him as much as Chretien.
But foreign affairs isn't what I'd be voting on in this election, I'd be voting for more local issues.