Are the Liberals breathing easier now?
Poll results like this, which show that Canadians by and large do not support Stephen Harper's stand on the Mid-East has to be good news to Liberals, some of whom have been openly musing in recent weeks about the possibility of an early fall election call. I'm not suggesting that the government should base its foreign policy simply on public opinion, something I've often thought the Liberals did, but having an unpopular policy is one thing, calling an election while that policy is front and centre is another.
The poll, done by Allen Gregg's Strategic Council, does not indicate Tory approval ratings have been affected overall yet, although other polls have indicated some slippage. That said, Harper will be concerned that the disapproval of his foreign policy is highest in battleground provinces like Quebec and BC, where the Tories expect, or at least hope, to gain seats in a push for a majority.
One of the interesting things about the results of the poll to me is that a large percentage of Canadians when asked thought the Canadian government should take a neutral stand on the current Israel/Hezbollah conflict. I am sure that Tories around the country look at this as a hangover from our wishy-washy Liberal days, something that will eventually change as we become more used to a more pro-active (or I would say aggressice) approach. Another reading of this could be that a majority of Canadians value a (actual) measured approach to complicated political issues, one that could lead to long-term solutions.
I really hope the Tories are wrong. Be strong you majority of Canadians!
The poll, done by Allen Gregg's Strategic Council, does not indicate Tory approval ratings have been affected overall yet, although other polls have indicated some slippage. That said, Harper will be concerned that the disapproval of his foreign policy is highest in battleground provinces like Quebec and BC, where the Tories expect, or at least hope, to gain seats in a push for a majority.
One of the interesting things about the results of the poll to me is that a large percentage of Canadians when asked thought the Canadian government should take a neutral stand on the current Israel/Hezbollah conflict. I am sure that Tories around the country look at this as a hangover from our wishy-washy Liberal days, something that will eventually change as we become more used to a more pro-active (or I would say aggressice) approach. Another reading of this could be that a majority of Canadians value a (actual) measured approach to complicated political issues, one that could lead to long-term solutions.
I really hope the Tories are wrong. Be strong you majority of Canadians!
Given that the same poll suggests that 72% of Cdn's are following the ME crisis closely, I suggest that the 32% is pretty solid. I don't think 'staying the course' will bode well for Harper.
Time of course will tell.
Posted by
Karen |
Tue Aug 01, 12:28:00 PM
I'm not so sure Liberals should breath easier. Toronto and Montreal could lose several seats to the Cons over this and give tham a majority. Jews live in enclaves that have tradsitionally gone Liberal. Not anymore I suspect. Concentration and where these votes are is what matters and I don't think this looks good for Liberal fortunes.
Posted by
S.K. |
Tue Aug 01, 01:22:00 PM
sb - I agree that there will likely be enclaves of both Jewish- and Arabic-Canadian populations that might be swayed by this. However, as knb suggests, the big picture is that Canadians generally are following this closely and do not approve of what they see so far.
I might not have been as clear as I wanted to be in the post - I think that the possibility that Harper would call a snap election is diminished, not that this necessarily would help the Liberals chances in an election. Harper is canny enough not to take such a visible and unpopular stance to the polls. Not right now.
Posted by
kevvyd |
Tue Aug 01, 01:28:00 PM
I live in a Heinz 57 enclave - Chinese, Chinese Canadians, Arabs, Arab Canadians, Canadians, Canadian Canadians, Yankees, Africans, Jamaicans, a few Limeys. As for religions in my enclave, given the diversity, I'd bet we'd find most anything.
Most of these folks in my enclave though, don't vote at all but I'd bet none of them are wondering about today's poll results because it probably would smell as bad as using someone elses war to solicit political contributions and votes.
Posted by
foottothefire |
Tue Aug 01, 01:44:00 PM
Most of these folks in my enclave though, don't vote at all
That's a real shame.
I'd bet none of them are wondering about today's poll results because it probably would smell as bad as using someone elses war to solicit political contributions and votes.
Nevertheless, you know that back-room strategists are prowling through this to figure out how to use it to advantage.
Posted by
kevvyd |
Tue Aug 01, 02:15:00 PM