Posted on 01/22/2006 5:04:35 AM PST by goldstategop
BRAMPTON -- Liberal volunteers, organizers and even MPs are admitting certain defeat tomorrow night at the hands of Stephen Harper's Conservatives barring an 11th hour change of heart by Canadian voters.
As Grit troops fan across Canada this weekend in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide in their favour through fevered door-knocking, they're weighed down by the latest polls that show the Tories remain in the lead and have gained substantial ground in vote-rich Quebec.
Most Grits publicly insist there's still a chance their leader Paul Martin will "pull a rabbit out of the hat" and bring home a second Liberal minority but privately they admit they've lost faith.
"I wish we were going to win, but we are going to lose," said a long-time Liberal organizer working in Toronto who has booked a vacation to a sunny spot next week to lift his spirits. "I wish we could pick up just enough seats to pull it off."
Asked when he threw in the towel, the veteran Grit replied: "When we had no time left to rebound in the polls."
The latest polls have seen the Conservatives lead narrow slightly but they still show Harper winning the election and forming a minority government.
Liberals say they've run out of time to convince Canadians to turn their back on Harper and shun NDP Leader Jack Layton. An MP of 18 years said there's little hope the tide will swing in his party's favour by tomorrow, but he's convinced he'll win his GTA seat.
"I will be enjoying my time in opposition," the MP said. "Been there before and had fun. I will have fun again."
The MP said there remains a glimmer of hope that Canadians will chose Martin over Harper tomorrow, but predicted a certain loss in his neighbouring ridings.
A Liberal minister's senior aide predicted voters will hand the Tories a slim five- to 10-seat advantage in the Commons, and if southwest Ontario goes blue, then other ridings are sure to follow.
The aide said there's a silver lining to defeat, pointing out a small minority would make Harper vulnerable to defeat on his first budget vote and see a likely Grit comeback.
Optimistic Grits say they're pinning their hopes on those undecided voters who they say often cast their ballot for Grit candidates in the past.
"We have to wait and see what the turnout is going to be -- there's still a high percentage of undecided," said Liberal candidate Janko Peric, who was an MP in Jean Chretien's and Martin's government until he lost the 2004 election.
Another Toronto-area MP said if his party survives and remains in government it's because local organizers succeeded at getting the undecided and traditional Liberal supporters to the polls tomorrow.
"In the 905, 416 area we're winning. As long as we stay on message we'll be okay," the MP said. Grits are divided on whether they expect Martin to step down immediately and launch a leadership race or if he'll stay on with a slim Conservative victory.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Gee, wonder if this is why there hasn't been beans about this election in the American MSM. If it were going the other way, or our MSM had a hope in Heck of screwing with the election, I bet it would on 24/7.
Oh, well. They can always console themselves with elaborate conspiracy theories as to how this election was 'stolen' from them.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Go figure.
The collective MSM silence is unsettling.
@@@@@
The collective MSM silence is business as usual.
All is not lost for the Libs... if they can get some story out in the next news cycle that, for example, Harper blasted thru a STOP sign in the early 1970's, or cheated on his college metaphysical exam (he was looking into the soul of the student sitting next to him), they could still pull even or ahead.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
This race is going to be extremely close.
I agree with the senior aide of the MP this will be decided under 10 seats.
The late deciders will go to martin. Martin is going to get a lot of ndp voters with the scary harper factor too.
This race is as close as it can get.
Ignore the polls. They don't poll seats and they are known to be very inaccurate. It's also not a good sign that the lead has narrowed in the last week. A little trickle can lead to a lot more on election day.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
You are correct that it ain't over till the fat lady sings, but I think the liberals are in trouble and may not even be the official opposition.
We shall see and to all Canandian Freepers who may be lurking, make sure you go out and vote.
Maybe my memory is off, but didn't the Australian elections a while back get a lot more airplay and columnspace in our media?
As you said before, look where they are camapigning. Harper is closing the campaign in traditional liberal strongholds.
IIRC, the Aussie elections were 3 weeks before the 2004 Presidential election and the MSM were hoping for John Howard to get defeated, but when he won a landslide the American MSM became silent.
That would be an inspiring sight; I hope it all manifests according to predictions.
And yes,mewszilla. . .even more to take heart; given the silence of our own LSM here at home.
Speaking for the residents of Florida, please stay there.
Thanks. That's pretty much what I recall. Especially the sound of crickets chirping in the silence after Howard's win :)
Well, here's hoping you folks have fine weather tomorrow and a good turnout :)
My local NPR station NorthCountryPublicRadio had 'analysis' last week which completely ignored the very reason they are having the elections. Liberal Party corruption. The mainstream media cannot report or people will start associating Liberal with Corruption.
http://www.anticorruption.ca/index1.html
Perhaps some Canadian Freepers will weigh in. . .keep us posted on how things look at the polls.
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