Manitoba general election, 2007

[biguc]

Originally Posted by The Jabroni

F*ck, this is what pisses me off sometimes. People complain that "Oh I'd vote, but it wouldn't matter anyways because I feel that my voice is not heard." Bullshit. If you want change, then vote for change. Hell, follow the example of the folks of Gimli. They kicked out all of their town hall councillors and mayor in favour for a new one.

I mean, we should do the same thing too, right? Kick out the Doer government altogether and put either Gerrard or MacFayden in power in this desolate province. Or put in at least a Minority government like Quebec. That'll punish all of them for not actually giving a damn for the province itself.

/rant

Sorry, I'm done now.

Sorry to disappoint you, but one vote has never made a difference--the practice is useless if you actually want change. That's why voting baffles economists: it seems irrational.

[newflyer]

Doer ducks TV debates
NDP nixes forum format

There's not a lot of room for debate this election.

The New Democrats will not be putting their leader -- Premier Gary Doer -- up for live televised leaders debates on CTV or Global TV.

Party spokesman Donne Flanagan blamed the stations for not making it conducive for Doer to participate.

"We're a bit sad and it's really unfortunate the network affliated stations couldn't come together to make it work," said Flanagan, noting his party requested the stations form a consortium, and when they were unable to do so the NDP pulled out.The party chose to have Doer in a pre-taped conversational leaders' forum with CBC to air on May 17 instead, Flanagan said.

Requests to shorten the "leader against leader" debate from the NDP also compelled the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to pull out as a sponsor of a forum planned for Monday at the Franco- Manitoban Cultural Centre.


"The basic format we sent out to all three parties is not the debate format in place now," said spokesman Chuck Davidson. "It's disappointing."

As a non-partisan group, the Chamber wasn't about to let a political party dictate how a televised election debate would be held, he said.

Peter Squire of the Winnipeg Realtors Association said the forum is still going ahead and will be co-hosted with the Manitoba Real Estate Board. It is to air on Shaw TV at 7:30 p.m.

Doer was curt when reporters asked him why he's dodging the debates.

"I think we've got four or five debates next week," he said, noting his opponents were acting "desperate" when they criticized him.

Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen said Doer is taking Manitobans for granted.

"He shows up late when the House is in session, he leaves early, he doesn't knock on doors, he doesn't do debates," said McFadyen. "And here's where it shows up: We're last in employment in the country, we're worst in the country in growth in greenhouse gas emissions, and we're dead last in health care."

Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said it's a shame the premier won't participate. "An election is a time to have a good debate and it shows something when he's frightened of having a good debate," said Gerrard

[newflyer]

Typical NDP .. hiding from the issues.


NDP government allow the fewest number of question days .. and then refuse to show up for a debate. I guess they feel answering for there screwups would hurt there chances... you know they'd cancel the democratic process if they could.

Hey why answer for things like Crocus and the massive cost over runs on the floodway expansion? How about the out migration of the youth .. or the climbing crime rates?

Nope ... Gary will be doing his emitation of an ostrich for the next few weeks.
I guess that why Manitoba loves him .. he ignores this issues and everything is fine.

[jalapano]

i would like to think the Liberals would win but unfortunately most manitobains don't have a clue about who's doing what, and a lot of them will probably just vote NDP again just because the city's not completely in destruction yet. I truly don't think the liberals have any chance and am not sure how i feel with McFadden in office because he sounds like hes just saying anything to get him in office.




-

[Only The Lonely..]

I've said this countless times before and i'll say it again..

This is what happens when you have the second lowest paid premier in the country. We attract bum candidates, that are completely devoid of any inspirational qualities whatsoever.

The public thinks their getting a bargain by buying a premier wholesale, but the jokes on all of us.

We can choose between a guy who barely has his grade 12 and has run this province into the ground, or we can choose a Tory living in fantasyland.

McFadyen doesn't have an original bone in his body, and is yet to make any bold exciting new promises. If he's the future premier i'm just as scared.

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

I've said this countless times before and i'll say it again..

This is what happens when you have the second lowest paid premier in the country. We attract bum candidates, that are completely devoid of any inspirational qualities whatsoever.

The public thinks their getting a bargain by buying a premier wholesale, but the jokes on all of us.

We can choose between a guy who barely has his grade 12 and has run this province into the ground, or we can choose a Tory living in fantasyland.

McFadyen doesn't have an original bone in his body, and is yet to make any bold exciting new promises. If he's the future premier i'm just as scared.

I am don't think things would be much better, even if the premier earned the same salary as that of the head of the Winnipeg School Board. Come to think of it the school borad is a massive lazy black hole, where money goes to die. I think most intelligent people are turned off by the political process and money isn't the biggest concern.

[Brokenhead]

Election 9 more days from now.

More promises.

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by jalapano

i would like to think the Liberals would win but unfortunately most manitobains don't have a clue about who's doing what, and a lot of them will probably just vote NDP again just because the city's not completely in destruction yet. I truly don't think the liberals have any chance and am not sure how i feel with McFadden in office because he sounds like hes just saying anything to get him in office.




-

mcfayden sounds like he is running for high school school president.

I trully like the Liberals platform mainly for the downtown densitification and rapid transit. But as we all know the liberal never had a stronghold here provincially Guerrard is an intelligent man but not a vocal leader, he is perhaps more cerebral than a poilitian.

Mcfayden and the PC seem to have a hard time in beeing focused and origanised. To me I wished I had heard more of him in recent years and have the tories speak more often about their platform and goals to lead this province instead leading a Rhinosaurus party.

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by newflyer

I am don't think things would be much better, even if the premier earned the same salary as that of the head of the Winnipeg School Board. Come to think of it the school borad is a massive lazy black hole, where money goes to die. I think most intelligent people are turned off by the political process and money isn't the biggest concern.

I think I could persuade even you to agree that something has to change in order to attract better candidates.

Election aside, how long did it take the Conservatives to find a new leader? Nobody even wanted the job, and this is to become the next Premier of Manitoba.

[P&M40BELOW]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

I've said this countless times before and i'll say it again..

This is what happens when you have the second lowest paid premier in the country. We attract bum candidates, that are completely devoid of any inspirational qualities whatsoever.

The public thinks their getting a bargain by buying a premier wholesale, but the jokes on all of us.

We can choose between a guy who barely has his grade 12 and has run this province into the ground, or we can choose a Tory living in fantasyland.

McFadyen doesn't have an original bone in his body, and is yet to make any bold exciting new promises. If he's the future premier i'm just as scared.

I completely agree. It starts with the PM's job which really is a $750,000 to a $1,000,000 a year job, not $300,000 or $350,000 which I believe the position pays now.

If you want someone of quality, being Premier is at least a $350,000 a year job, if not more. My suggestion is to cut the number of MLA's in half and give them all substantial raises. Heck you could run the province with a dozen MLA's, just like a city council. Do we really need an over staffed legislature to manage a province of 1,000,000. people.

[204]

This is from the Globe & Mail:

The leaders of Manitoba's two opposition parties used a live radio debate Monday to suggest Premier Gary Doer is forcing young people to seek jobs elsewhere by letting the province's economy falter.

“We've had 35,000 people leave Manitoba in the past eight years under his watch,” Mr. McFadyen told the audience.

“That's not true” said Doer.

The article doesn't go into any further numbers after that point, except to say:

record numbers of Manitobans have left for greener pastures — 8,600 in a one-year period ending July 1, 2006.

Neither the journalist nor Doer come up with any numbers to counter this claim.

[The Diva]

This is the type of voter that will ensure Doer wins again:

“I’m voting NDP because I always have and I think the higher crime rate is a result of Tory cutbacks in the 90s, not what’s happening today. I don’t want the Tories in there to cut back on community centres again.”

Markus Isaak, 38

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by The Diva

This is the type of voter that will ensure Doer wins again:

“I’m voting NDP because I always have and I think the higher crime rate is a result of Tory cutbacks in the 90s, not what’s happening today. I don’t want the Tories in there to cut back on community centres again.”

Markus Isaak, 38

This is the type of voter that will ensure that Manitoba remains a "have-not" for a long time to come.

[Only The Lonely..]

Survey says: NDP three-peat
Poll indicates Doer headed to third straight majority despite dip in support

Thu May 17 2007

By Gabrielle Giroday


Click here for complete poll documentation



THEIR support may have dropped since the last election, but the New Democratic Party is heading for its third consecutive term as Manitoba's majority government, according to interpretation of a poll sponsored by the Winnipeg Free Press and Global Television.
The survey indicates the NDP has a seven-percentage-point lead over the Progressive Conservative party, thanks to strong NDP party support within Winnipeg -- and ongoing admiration for Premier Gary Doer.

However, outside Winnipeg, the NDP has plummeted in the polls to a distant second place behind the PC party.

While they're not the same levels of support the NDP boasted during the 2003 election campaign, the survey indicates the NDP has a healthy lead going into Tuesday's election.

"There is some change... what was a 13-point lead for the NDP over the Conservatives in the last election, to actually beat them by 13 points, has eroded to seven points," said Scott MacKay, president of Probe Research, the firm that conducted the election survey.

"What you see is that the NDP has a really comfortable lead in Winnipeg, and that lead counts for a lot."

How the 'Peg votes

Within the city of Winnipeg, the survey indicates the NDP has solid leads in all five city sub-regions when the interviewer asked which party's candidate the voter was most likely to support.
However, the race is much tighter in northwest Winnipeg and in southwest Winnipeg.

All Winnipeg
❚ NDP: 51 per cent
❚ PC: 29 per cent
❚ Liberal: 17 per cent
❚ Others: 3 per cent

Rest of Manitoba
❚ NDP: 34 per cent
❚ PC: 49 per cent
❚ Liberal: 15 per cent
❚ Others: 2 per cent

Northwest Winnipeg
❚ NDP: 47 per cent
❚ PC: 37 per cent
❚ Liberal: 16 per cent
❚ Others: O

Northeast Winnipeg
❚ NDP: 56 per cent
❚ PC: 32 per cent
❚ Liberal: 7 per cent
❚ Others: 5 per cent

Southeast Winnipeg
❚ NDP: 50 per cent
❚ PC: 23 per cent
❚ Liberal: 25 per cent
❚ Others: 2 per cent

Southwest Winnipeg
❚ NDP: 42 per cent
❚ PC: 33 per cent
❚ Liberal: 23 per cent
❚ Others: 2 per cent

Core area
❚ NDP: 64 per cent
❚ PC: 18 per cent
❚ Liberal: 12 per cent
❚ Others: 6 per cent

Respondents were asked 'Which party's candidate are you most likely to support in this provincial election?'

Polling accuracy: With a sample of 800 people, there is 95 per cent certainty the results are within three-and-a-half percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Manitoba was interviewed.
The margin of error rises within each of the sub-populations examined, and minor statistical weighting was applied to the sample group for age, gender, and past voting characteristics.
--Source: Probe Research

What was asked:

Here are some of the precise questions asked in a telephone survey of 800 Manitobans from May 10 to May 14.

Which party's candidate are you most likely to support in this provincial election?
❚ NDP: 44 per cent
❚ PC: 37 per cent
❚ Liberal: 16 per cent
❚ Others: 3 per cent

How certain are you as to which party you will vote for in the upcoming provincial election?
❚ NDP: 52 per cent (very certain), 26 per cent (fairly certain)
Total: 78 per cent
❚ PC: 64 per cent (very certain), 21 per cent (fairly certain)
Total: 85 per cent
❚ Liberal: 37 per cent (very certain), 24 per cent (fairly certain)
Total: 81 per cent
-- Source: Probe Research

The survey indicates 44 per cent of Manitoban voters are most likely to cast their ballot for an NDP candidate, while 37 per cent of voters said they're casting a ballot for a PC candidate. Sixteen per cent said they'll vote for the Liberal candidate and three per cent said they will vote for candidates from other parties.

Growing support

Before the election writ was dropped, MacKay said polls showed growing overall support for the Tories, but the gulf has widened between the parties since the election campaign started.

The survey was done by telephone interviews between May 10 and May 14, among a representative sample of 800 Manitoban adults.

The telephone survey started after a much-ballyhooed announcement by Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen about the guaranteed return of an NHL hockey team to Winnipeg if the PC party returned to power.

Doer has stuck to smaller, less flashy promises, including contributing $40 million for an east-west power grid and a new women's hospital at the Health Sciences Centre.

The results are within plus or minus three-and-a-half percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Manitoba was interviewed, within 95 per cent certainty.

"If you're looking for change, and saying 'Where am I most likely to see seats moving?'... it's all actually happening outside the city of Winnipeg," said MacKay, adding rural voters usually lean to the PC party and the return to PC support is a "reversion" from an abnormal support for NDP candidates in the 2003 election. "Parties lose steam over time," said MacKay.

"The place to look for change will be outside Winnipeg."

As the campaign hits its final stretch, one-half of voters in Winnipeg indicated they'll vote for an NDP candidate next Tuesday, compared to 29 per cent support for a PC candidate. The Liberals have 17 per cent support in the city, while three per cent of respondents said they'll vote for the Green party or another minor Manitoba party.

Outside the city, 49 per cent of voters support PC party candidates, while only 34 per cent said they want to vote for the NDP candidates.

Majority

Only 15 per cent of voters outside of Winnipeg back the Liberals. MacKay said overall support for the NDP, however, should most likely win them a majority -- even if some seats change hands to the PC party outside Winnipeg city limits in southern Manitoba.

"Every time a party gets into the 40s, they win a majority," said MacKay. "So, the NDP now are at 44 per cent... so it looks like they're over the magic threshold number they need to get a majority they need. I say that based on the historical record."

Manitoba history shows parties that win at least 40 per cent of the popular vote tend to be rewarded with majority governments.

In 1990, the PC party -- led by Gary Filmon -- won a majority government with 42 per cent of the popular vote. And in the 1995 election, the PC party won another majority with 43 per cent level of support. In 1999, Premier Gary Doer swept into office with 45 per cent of the popular vote, followed with an overwhelming victory in 2003 with 49 per cent of the vote.

A poll showing the NDP surging ahead is tinged with bad news. Voter turnout is already likely to be low, given the relatively dull campaign and the long weekend that precedes voting day.

Overconfident NDP voters who just don't bother to drop by a ballot box on Tuesday could turn the tide in some key seats such as Brandon West, Kirkfield Park, La Verendrye and Assiniboia. Doer said as much earlier this week when he was asked about upcoming polls.

"My preference is the poll shows us tied," said Doer. "I want people to vote and feel their vote matters."

MacKay also said voters still had time to change their minds.

"This poll was taken mid- to late campaign, there's plenty of time left," he said. "If some big bombshell happens and somebody's got some smoking gun that they're going to pull out at the last minute, that can shift people's support overnight."

McFadyen said he feels good about the campaign and thinks Tory supporters are much more motivated this time than they were in 2003.

He also thinks Tories are more motivated than NDP supporters, which could mean Tories have a stronger turnout on election day.

The survey indicates there is stronger Progressive Conservative support for voters between the age of 18 to 34 years (41 per cent), than NDP support (37 per cent) -- which MacKay attributed to a possible "generational connection" to McFadyen by younger voters. McFadyen said he doesn't get the impression the Liberals will do much better in this election than before, however, he also implied there is a concern the Liberals might be siphoning votes away from his party by warning Liberals that a vote for a Liberal candidate is akin to voting to keep the NDP in government.

If you want change, vote Tory, McFadyen said, because the Liberals don't have a hope of actually forming government.

"One of the pleas we have to make to Liberal voters is that if you think it's time for a change you've got one option in this election," he said.

--with files from Mary Agnes Welch and Mia Rabson

■ gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

[The Diva]

That's what happens when a large percentage of your population consists of the poor and the elderly; they believe the Socialists will take care of them. Then they turn around and bitch about health care, etc. I guess their children and grandchildren leaving for better opportunities is ok with them.

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by The Diva

That's what happens when a large percentage of your population consists of the poor and the elderly; they believe the Socialists will take care of them. Then they turn around and bitch about health care, etc. I guess their children and grandchildren leaving for better opportunities is ok with them.

It seems that Manitobans are oblivious to the concept of "tax base". Where do socialist voters think the money comes from to pay for all the backwards NDP projects.. and weak economic policies?


Its the magic money fairy .. also know as massive transfer payments .. also known as rewards for not building its local economy. Manitobas Spirited Energy indeed. .. a one way ticket to driving away the educated youth.

In another week Manitobans will choose to fall further behind.. yet the PC's have failed miserably in communicating this very real and proven reality of Manitobas economy.

[newflyer]

Maybe Manitoba is just controlled by scared unknowledgable seniors, who are willing to sell the youth down the river for some socialist fantasy.

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by newflyer

Maybe Manitoba is just controlled by scared unknowledgable seniors, who are willing to sell the youth down the river for some socialist fantasy.

Yaaa, that pretty much somes it up. We're boned.

The old folks have nothing to look forward to except for the sweet release of death, its only fair that the youth should have nothing to look forward to either.

Fuck, thanks a lot modern medicine.

Whatever happened to the good old days when people only lived to 50?

[newflyer]

Here is a link to the Winnipeg Chamber for an overview of each parties platform on building the economy and making a competitive business environment.

http://www.winnipeg-chamber.com/

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

Yaaa, that pretty much somes it up. We're boned.

The old folks have nothing to look forward to except for the sweet release of death, its only fair that the youth should have nothing to look forward to either.

Fuck, thanks a lot modern medicine.

Whatever happened to the good old days when people only lived to 50?

Maybe the new slogan should be... Manitoba a good place to die, with today's NDP.