Now What!

Prime Minister Harper has a bigger and stronger minority government with 143 seats. Even previously Connie-free PEI now has a Conservative. The Liberals went down by 20 seats.

There are more Conservatives than before, more in other Atlantic Canada provinces, 9 which despite NL's Conservative banishment, equals the previous number.

So Newfoundland and Labrador has zero Conservatives, no possible cabinet representation from the province.

Boy, that showed 'em!

What were the benefits of trouncing all Conservatives again?

Was this a win for NL, or was it a failure to kick the prime minister out? What exactly is there to celebrate? Getting revenge on Harper?

Had Willams campaigned for fellow NL Conservatives and helped them get elected - there could possibly be 7 reps to choose from, rather than 0.

Oh well, it should be interesting to watch the benefits of this "goose egg" unfold.

Layton and the NDP on Course for the Par

Jack Layton must have been pleased with the good weather this morning at the Admiral's Green Clubhouse. That's where he made a campaign speech today on his second stop in the province since the campaign started. Layton was surrounded by local candidates Ryan Cleary, Jack Harris, Randy Dawe, provincial NDP leader Lorraine Michael, and supporters holding signs that read "We will defeat Harper", and "United with Layton."

Layton's message was much the same as his debate points - that the NDP is the team to trust and replace Harper; that there will be no more tax breaks for the Exxons, like Harper gave to that company to drill in the tar sands; more jobs in Canada as opposed to exporting them overseas; and that he will improve health care by funding the hiring of more doctors and health professionals.

Asked by a reporter if he thinks the NDP will surpass the record 43 seats attained by Ed Broadbent in the 1988 election. Layton replied that "that is axiomatic, when you're hoping to be Prime Minister." Layton has some reason to be optimistic. His debate performance has gotten good reviews, and his party's rating is almost on par with the Liberals. He pointed the finger several times at Stephane Dion in the leaders debate Thursday night, and reiterated today that Dion has not been an effective Opposition leader against Stephen Harper.

The arrival of the NDP frontman was also welcome news for St. John's South-Mount Pearl candidate Ryan Cleary, as well. Cleary is hoping to increase his support enough to catch, then pass current riding leader Siobhan Coady. They're both well known candidates and the campaign will be very interesting to watch on election night. Merv Wiseman is running for the Conversatives, and at this point has the greatest challenge on his hands.

Not having met him before, with only some familiarity of his background as editor of The Independent, and through reading a range of opinions here in the blogosphere, Mr. Cleary obliged this blogger with a few minutes of his time. No recordings or scribbles taken, just a quick chat. When asked why he is running, he described his desire to help people who are struggling, impoverished and needed help. He described himself as being a strong advocate for the province.

It's hard to really know someone in just a few minutes but to use a Brian Tobin-type pronouncement phrase, I will say this: Cleary may indeed be a good fit for the NDP team. He seems to have a social conscience and is drawn to the NDP's angle of championing for equality. Cleary did say he held other common beliefs with the NDP stance, such as gay marriage, and being pro-choice. While he is representing the party now, he has been criticized for colorful remarks about the NDP in the past. Whether he gave into a writer's temptation to add some flair to his writings, or just told it as he saw it, that's for him to respond to.

In person, this Indy-P was approachable, mild mannered and seemed to possess sincere caring qualities. That particular soft skill is one which helps candidates get elected. But first he has to close the polling gap with Siobhan Coady. Then in nine days time, we'll see if the NDP leader's visit today will have boosted his chances and have a positive effect for him, Harris and the other NDP candidates in the province.

Layton's Debate Performance Causing an Orange Shift?

As mentioned in my previous post on the leaders' debate Thursday night, NDP leader Jack Layton was strong, and may have given some "on the fence" voters more reason to switch to NDP. This lone Canadian suggested immediately after the debate that both Elizabeth May and Layten were the most impressive, and it appears a new poll is reflecting the same from other Canadians.

The NDP are now only two points behind the federal Liberals. In that debate, it seemed like he had his sights set not only on Harper but also on Dion. Among other salvos, he did score a few points by reminding the public of Liberal's health cuts in previous administrations.

At this point in NL, unless Walter Noel or Craig Westcott can make some solid appeals to voters, it looks like Jack Harris will be at least one Dipper going to Ottawa. Layton has boosted his party's image as a real Opposition party alternative, and this may help the campaign of other local NDP candidate Ryan Cleary in his bid to replace current front runner Siobhan Coady, and eventually win.

Jack Layton will be in St. John's Sunday morning at the Admiral's Green Clubhouse at Pippy Park Golf Course at 10 a.m. Local NDP candidates and provincial leader Lorraine Michael will be there as well.

To Axe Ritz or Not

Last month Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made a couple of tasteless comments in a conference call. Upon learning of a listeriosis death in PEI Ritz said, "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts." He also said, he hopes that the victim was Wayne Easter, his opposition critic from PEI. When news of this broke a few days back Ritz didn't take long after that, to apologize to families of victims of listeriosis, and to Wayne Easter. Now as you might imagine, families are outraged at Ritz, some have accepted his apology and others want his head. The pressure is on PM Harper now to keep him or heave him.

So far, Harper has accepted Ritz's apology. The opposition parties are not so forgiving. Harper was looking solid to win a majority government this time around. However, his support among Ontario swing ridings has fallen from 45% support to 35%, according to a CTV news clip. Ontario is always the maker or breaker. It Harper's overall support declines further, then he might reconsider firing Gerry Ritz.

It's easy to understand the viewpoint of someone who just lost a mother or father to this tragic bacteria. It's a shock, and a very sensitive time for the families. As well, as former Liberal MP Sheila Copps said, it is a very irresponsible example from the top of a department, where behaviours, attitudes and words, ripple down through the bureaucracy.

From another view some families have accepted Ritz's apology. By the PM's account, Ritz has otherwise been a good Minister, and no further chastisement is needed.

There are no happy consequences from this affair. It's sad for the suffering families whose grieving did not need to be compounded. It is sad that a man who is a Minister representing the nation, be inconsiderate, unthinking and cold, himself. It would also be sad to see a man step down from his position over his own human weakness. Imperfection is a quality of being human. Though it was an attempt at a joke, it was done in an unpremeditated way, an attempt at quick wit, but unthinking at the time. As opposed to a crime of prolonged theft from the public purse or other malicious scheming, this was a crime of poor taste rather than a crime of public trust. In Ritz's case, getting the axe might be a punishment exceeding the crime.

An ABC News Update

Is this ABC campaign getting more out of hand? Listen and judge.

Puff Danny Raps the ABC

"Give me a beat. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. That's it, just like that. Here we go." Ya know my name is Dan, and I have a plan, To cleanse the nation of that lyin' man. He wuz gonna change the lay of the equalization, And man a vow like dat caused a big sensation. Then he pledged his word, and in that I trusted, Even signed his name, but the letter got dusted. The hopes were high in this provincial "nation", But Steve dissed us with his, fabri-cation. I'm a hopin' and a prayin', that you'll all agree, That there's no other way but da ABC. So listen up bro's, I'm no doubtin' Thomas, I'm just rappin' for my homies, coz he broke his promise. He fooled me once but it won't be two, And if ya elect him again, then shame on you. Vote ABC, is the message I give, Trust Anyone else But a Conserva-tive. "Yo. Yo. Break it down for me fellas .." (repeat same monotonous chord endlessly to fade)

Hat tip to Susan Evans for "Puff Danny" name!

Tely Poll on ABC Campaign Support

As of 2:40 p.m. Sept. 10, here are the Telegram poll results. It does not show how many people have voted, or how long that poll has been there. This type of politically related question usually gets an avalanche of attention when VOCM does an online poll. For what it's worth, it shows an almost even split of support for the ABC campaign. How do you feel about Williams' campaign? Support it, or not?

A Monday of Surprises - NL First Party to Run Candidate

At Our Place in Canada, BNB bounced this news, and because different candidates make elections interesting, I'll bounce it as well. Wayne Bennett, will be the NL First Party's candidate in Humber-St.Barbe-Baie Verte for the October 14th federal election. Bennett served for some 32 years in the Navy and with the Royal Nfld Regiment, and is now heading up business developments. The story originated here.

Surprise St. John's East Candidate Craig Westcott Makes Valid Points & Case for Himself

Just a short while ago a seismic announcement registered 8.5 on the political richter scale.

A journalist not afraid to voice his opinion, Craig Westcott, publisher of the Business Post, will run for the Conservative Party in the October federal election. It's a surprise but in another way, he's a fitting candidate. He has voiced his criticism of the Premier in the past. Now, Westcott has some valid reasoning behind his own choice to run.

On several sites this morning he says that Premier Danny Williams is steering the province toward a dangerous situation with his ABC campaign.

It's just — I think it's unconscionable on the premier's part to put Newfoundland in that very, very weak position. (CBC)

Westcott tells Meeker on Media that Williams could hurt the people of the province.

We have to think about what ABC really means for our province. It could mean spending four years with no voice in the Government of Canada. Do we really want an MP from another province serving as a part-time regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador? Isolating ourselves from the rest of Canada is not a goose egg, it's a rotten egg, and it will hurt the people of our great province.

His interview with Geoff Meeker is interesting because it gives the reader more insight about the person, who has the respect from others who know him, and by his own account is a man of principle, and has proven it.

Westcott's candidacy will probably make a sizable number feel a sense of being torn, or just scratching their heads at the ballot box. After all he is a weighty contestant in this race, appears to be a man of integrity, and he knows how to communicate, and likes to freely express himself.

This observer looks forward to hearing what he has to say and how the public reacts. Congratulations Mr. Westcott and good luck in your campaign.