Tuesday, April 06, 2010

"Don't Know" On Cusp Of Majority

The latest Harris Decima poll shows little change from their last release, the Conservatives now lead by 3%, as opposed to the previous 4%. What is intriguing, this poll is so representative of the political malaise in this country, Canadians really don't care, or feel inspired, by anyone:
Canadians have little confidence in either the Conservatives or Liberals to manage the economy, balance the books or reflect their values, a new poll suggests.

Indeed, more Canadians picked “None of the above” and “Don't know” than chose any federal party on those key issues, according to a Harris-Decima survey conducted for The Canadian Press.

Pollster Allan Gregg said the findings are “an indictment” of Canada's political parties and help explain why support remains tepid for both the Conservatives and the Liberals.

Key findings, which show Don't Know/Don't Care is riding a wave. Wonder if she/he will force an election? Maybe some clarity next week during scrums?:
Asked which party is best able to balance the budget in five years, half of respondents answered either “Don't know” or “None.”

Asked which party can be trusted to manage the economy, 36 per cent said “Don't know” or “None"

As to which party holds values closest to their own, 27 per cent said “Don't know” or “None”

In response, Dmitri Soudas indicated the Conservatives would run attack ads detailing "Don't know's" inability to take a firm stand and "None's" alleged former anarchist ties. The Liberals are listening, the NDP says "None" shouldn't be allowed in any debate.

On the plus side, if any party could actually manage to resonate, there is an audience just waiting. Honestly, I think we have reached a new low point in federal politics.

18 comments:

Jay said...

But thats the plan right? Make everyone so disgusted in Canadian Politics that the Cons 30% turns into 60 % because not many cared to vote. At this pint, the cons have been worse than any liberals government but so much double speak and obfuscation has many people confused as to actually who the government is, since every problem the supposi-tories have is somehow the liberals fault. Even Layton is in on the squeeze. It also doesn't help that the only policy from the liberals to date is childcare yet again. That promise is nearly as old as the charter. Even I doubt it will ever see the light.

Steve V said...

Jay

My long held theory is that the Conservatives BANK on voter apathy. That's why the gov't is so brazen, they sense nobody is paying attention, and conduct themselves with this belief in mind. Hate to say it, but they might be partially right, at worst.

bigcitylib said...

Only up 3%? The story here is Liberal Momentum!!! Don't be so biased Steve.

Steve V said...

And, Ignatieff was 6 points ahead of "hang up" on leadership.

The Mound of Sound said...

What Harper can't achieve through apathy he makes up for in adept timing. A snap election at the end of summer with an electorate firmly in the arms of Morpheus... and bingo!

Steve V said...

Mound

After what happened last time, if people aren't fully prepared for this possibility, well...

ygkpd said...

On the cusp of a plurality, not majority.

Steve V said...

You don't need a majority to get a majority in Canada :)

Mark Richard Francis said...

I'm surprised I managed to read through all this.

Apathy is always helpful for the party in power as it works against change.

We badly need a sex or money scandal. Preferably both.

Anonymous said...

"You don't need a majority to get a majority in Canada"
Well said.


It would be nice if we could actually vote "None" or "Don't Know" and have that show up in the election night results. Then at least people would realize we have democracy in name only.

RuralSandi said...

Do you not think that our media is a factor?

C'mon, really, don't we have the dullest media in the world? Power & Politics, Power Play and Sunday's Question Period - dull, dull, dull.

There may be some crazies in the US, but they sure keep people paying attention.

And, political satire - Jon Stewart, Colbert, Olbermann - on every day. Rick Mercer does a handful of shows with his little rants and that's it.

The journos all write the same thing and are flat and boring - no daring whatsoever.

We don't have anyone like a Rachael Maddow who takes "facts" to task.

The 2 nightly political shows - CBC's Solomen and CTV's Clark are on before most people are home from work.

People are bored, media is bored and boring.

Tof KW said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tof KW said...

Where is the Rhinoceros Party of Canada when you need them? :)

With a stellar platform that includes sending all our unemployed into the Rockies to tear them down, repealing the law of gravity, or making the TransCan a 1-way; I could see them leading in the polls right now.

Canada really has reached new lows in federal politics.

Jerry Prager said...

Of course it's the cons fault, they are the ones in power, they are the ones doing their best to be uncooperative, they have systematically devalued the votes of those who did not vote for them, but at the same time, the corporate media has called them on next to none of it. The media's anti-intellectualism surrounding the thinkers conference helped guarantee the malaise, although that stupid abortion vote bungle didn't help.
Steve: I am not so sure no one is paying attention: there is certainly a post prorogue lull, but there is a profound amount of democratic reform activity going on. The problem with the Libs of course, is they have to decide whether they are continental corporatists or democrats.

Tof KW said...

Mark Francis said...
We badly need a sex or money scandal. Preferably both.

Well, I have suggested elsewhere that Rob Anders must have pics of Harper & a sheep - only explanation I've got for why Anders has been so protected over the years.

As for the other, I'm predicting the seed will be planted this Autumn when Sheila Frasier tables her initial audit on EAP spending.

Omar said...

Honestly, I think we have reached a new low point in federal politics.

Which is exactly what I was feeling yesterday after reading the comments for your 'Rising Star' post where someone maintained Shelly Glover had "bested" Justin Trudeau simply by keeping her televised composure calm, cool and collected. If THAT is all it takes for an obtuse ideologue to best an opponent in the eyes of the electorate, then I wonder if we've hit political discourse rock bottom or can we sink even lower? Something tells me it's the latter.

Tof KW said...

Honestly, I think we have reached a new low point in federal politics.

Meanwhile, fresh documented evidence that the Harper government knew that Canada's relationship with the Afghan National Directorate of Security was risky — and probably illegal.

CBC - Harper Government Knew Risk

Fred from BC said...

Omar said...

Honestly, I think we have reached a new low point in federal politics.

Which is exactly what I was feeling yesterday after reading the comments for your 'Rising Star' post where someone maintained Shelly Glover had "bested" Justin Trudeau simply by keeping her televised composure calm, cool and collected.


You need to pay closer attention to news sources, Omar...especially if you're going to attempt to argue one side or the other. Justin Trudeau was forced to apologize for his behavior, as was Jane Taber for failing to reign him in as the so-called 'moderator' of the piece. CTV received "many complaints" about it.

How is it that you don't know any of this? Do you even bother to check out the stories being discussed before you comment?