Posted on 01/24/2006 3:55:10 AM PST by saveliberty
The first consequences of Canada's major political realignment came within minutes of the polls giving their final numbers as the two major party leaders gave their valedictory speeches for the 2006 election. Stephen Harper, the triumphant Tory, called on Canada's political parties to unite for the good of the country, while outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin quit his post as party leader, avoiding an almost certain dismissal by the losing Liberals:
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, Canada's next prime minister, pledged to work with all parties in the next Parliament after Canadians elected a Tory minority government Monday, ending a 12-year reign of Liberal rule."Tonight friends, our great country has voted for change. And Canadians have asked our party to take the lead in delivering that change," Harper told his supporters in Calgary.
Harper acknowledged that Canadians have not given any one party a majority and have asked all parties to work together.
Martin won his riding in Quebec but saw ten others shift to the Conservatives, the first time in a generation that the right has carried any seats in the troubled province. Harper, commentators speculated, discovered the "secret code" for unlocking Qebecois support and not only took seats from the Liberals but racked up an impressive slice of the vote. BQ retained its seat total but wound up far below 50% of the popular vote, only outpollling the Tories by 42%-24%, an impressive result for Harper. Martin resigned as party leader after the national debacle:
Liberal Leader Paul Martin won't lead his party into another election, he said early Tuesday morning as he conceded that Stephen Harper's Conservatives had won Monday's general election."I will always be at the service of the party," he added in a speech to a crowd of emotional supporters in his Montreal riding of Lasalle-Émard. "The Canada we want is one very much worth fighting for."
He also said he will remain the Liberal MP in the riding, which he has represented for five terms.
"When I think about it, 17 years is a long time, and you have stood by me," Martin said.
The Liberals were fortunate to have retained over 100 seats in the new Commons and only trail the Tories 124-103. Conservatives made gains in almost every province except Prince Edward Island. They did especially well in rural ridings, but did not make much of a dent in the cities, as CBC noted late in its broadcast. In the cities, NDP did well, picking a few ridings off of the Liberals, but for the most part the Grits hung onto what they had in those contests.
Stephen Harper should be sworn into office within the next two weeks, and the new era of Tory leadership will begin. Canadian voters have given Harper a rather limited mandate, a test period where they expect the Conservatives to prove that they can lead from the center-right, maintaining the economic success of the last few years while cleaning up and streamlining the excesses of the Liberal government. If successful, the voters might reward Harper and his party with a majority government down the road -- but until then, Harper will have to keep his diplomatic skills trained on the Commons.
Does this mean that if we deported Granholm that Canada might not take her? (just kidding)
So he quits - good plan, thumbs up
He should send a big "thank you" to Michael Moore for his help. :-)
Does this mean that if the GOP wins the '08 presidential election, the Hollyweird left will flee to Mexico instead of Canada?
LOL! You know them. All talk, no action.
http://www.pardonmyenglish.com/archives/2006/01/michael_moore_c.html
Pardon My English redraws the map for Michael Moore
Excellent.
What is teh likelyhood that Martin will pay for any of his major scandals?
Or will this be enough?
(I'm not very conversant on the subject as I really don't know much about Canada except that they helped our guys during the hostage crisis.)
LOL! I am not sure, but the reaction against the party is very promising.
Is Michael Moore wearing a trash can over his head today!!!
Okers, thanks!
(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.")
Would there be one that fit?
This is where I have to credit James Carville, who irritates the heck out of me 99.999999% of the time, but he does have a sense of humor. I don't know that many liberals have one.
You're welcome :-)
Ouch.
Kinda like the Dems getting more and more strident here in the U.S.?
(among other things)
Conservatives made gains in almost every province except Prince Edward Island
Must be the wine drinking? I heard 11% of the pop. in this country drink 88% of all wine consumed. Mostly on the east and west coasts. Could wine make you a whinner?
LOL! Well it doesn't work the other way around. Clearly whine doesn't make you a winner. Just ask Michael Moore. :-)
Yeah, that will be the nearest failing communist country.
After those hateful despicable comments Carvile made about Ken Starr I cannot give him credit for anything at all.
A neighbor's son was a draft dodger during VN and he fled to Prince Edward Island. Wonder if he's got lots of company up there with like minded low lives.
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