tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post6435228748212784170..comments2023-11-02T06:37:23.839-06:00Comments on daveberta.ca: by-election rundown.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-87228902978223716622007-06-15T03:52:00.000-06:002007-06-15T03:52:00.000-06:00When measured against expectations, the relatively...When measured against expectations, the relatively narrow win in Calgary-Elbow was a disappointment for the Liberals, and the barely-ahead-of-the-Socreds performance in Drumheller-Stettler was something similar (not that anybody except the Drumheller waitress I talked to last weekend expected them to win, but...).<BR/><BR/>Let's give the opposition (by the most generous assessment) all of the 21 Edmonton area seats, seven of the Calgary seats, both Lethbridge seats, and maybe Hinman's. That still leaves a pretty comfortable majority of 52 seats which, for all the talk about the Tories' poor fortunes, is only 11 seats short of what they won last time around, and more than they won in 1993."Steve Smith"https://www.blogger.com/profile/00619594380611546733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-11394358906269198242007-06-14T18:06:00.000-06:002007-06-14T18:06:00.000-06:00Simplistic analysis, Anonymous 4:36. Turnout is al...Simplistic analysis, Anonymous 4:36. Turnout is almost always lower for a by-election. There were likely many potential Liberal votes that stayed home, too.James L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11036544162585255925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-17881949042937137842007-06-14T18:04:00.000-06:002007-06-14T18:04:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.James L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11036544162585255925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-51459515171181055162007-06-14T16:36:00.000-06:002007-06-14T16:36:00.000-06:00Hmm. The analysis leaves out the fact that the Lib...Hmm. The analysis leaves out the fact that the Libs actually had 100 fewer votes than last time out, and about 3000 tories stayed home. Sure the NDP had a paltry showing, but it was exactly the same paltry showing that they had last election.<BR/><BR/>If the Tories manage to regroup, Cheffins is going to have a tough time holding his seat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-52060371909457555692007-06-14T02:07:00.000-06:002007-06-14T02:07:00.000-06:00The NDs turnout is just pathetic. How could they s...The NDs turnout is just pathetic. How could they screw this one up, and do worse than in 2004??? Will they ever get their s*%# together? <BR/><BR/>They tanked because they didn't campaign. They didn't even have candidates nominated until a few weeks ago. And why bother printing signs either? I was so sick of seeing Mason signs when he wasn't even on the ballot. I guess they'll reuse 'em when some other no-name candidate runs, and tries to ride Mason's coattails. <BR/><BR/>The coattails are worn-out though, with lots of holes. Holes so big, it actually hurt the candidate. The only solution is to get a new coat (and your own signs).<BR/><BR/>I'm still curious how could the greens, with no visibility, no seat in the legislature, and no leader of note, do twice as good as the NDs in calgary?? Even if it was a protest vote, why couldn't they score some of the protest action? <BR/><BR/>A leader who doesn't take a by-election seriously, is a leader not worth having. Maybe it's time to call on the ghosts of Notley to breathe some life into this dying party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-58422203710579744332007-06-13T21:16:00.000-06:002007-06-13T21:16:00.000-06:00Well, I'm one of the 104 who voted NDP. I worked w...Well, I'm one of the 104 who voted NDP. I worked with Richard on the campaign and despite the outcome we did work pretty hard, however most of us were novices politically and our day jobs precluded the campaigning likely necessary for a better showing. We did make some mistakes and we were also victims of circumstances. First, we should have put up signs with Richard's name and not just Mr. Mason's. Name recognition is important and we didn't have it compared to the other candidates. We should have done more door to door work. Would this have won us the election? Of course not, but we might have done a bit better.<BR/><BR/>I also think we were the victim (not really the best word but we'll go with it for now) of circumstances. The NDP likely lost significant numbers of votes to the Greens and the Liberals, neither of whom ran in the last election here in Drumheller-Stettler. There was strategic voting and the NDP usually bares the brunt of such a strategy. I know if at least 6 solid NDP voters who cast their vote for Dooley because they thought he had a chance of knocking off the PC candidate Hayden. Turns out to have been a futile effort as it was another blowout for the Conservatives.<BR/><BR/>There aren't many of us here, but those of us who are here are pretty dedicated to the goals of the NDP. I'm disappointed by our last place showing, but not discouraged. This was a byelection with a very low voter turnout. I for one am going to keep plugging away and trying to build the party here in rural Alberta.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-17853533716739828352007-06-13T19:43:00.000-06:002007-06-13T19:43:00.000-06:00Keep reaching for that rainbow, Brian Mason and "A...Keep reaching for that rainbow, Brian Mason and "Alberta's NDP".James L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11036544162585255925noreply@blogger.com