Monday, August 24, 2009

About that poll ....

An Ipsos Reid poll shows the Conservative government has jumped into an 11 point lead over the Liberals.

This almost puts the Tories into the hallowed territory of Majority Land.

Reactions are predictable: Liberal partisans suggest it's the biased work of Canwest News, which sponsored the poll, while Conservative partisans are already planning the victory parade.

Yet there is something both sides should keep in mind -- opinion polls conducted in the heart of August are virtually meaningless.

Canadians these days are more focused on cottage parties than on political parties.

10 comments:

caz said...

Gerry, not ALL canadians especially the majority of whom don't have cottages or even holidays. I'm not alone in chomping at the bit for all the chaos to start up again. I don't put a lot of stock on polls in Aug either....but they are interesting.

Kadam said...

Fresh from the summer party circuit, I hope this poll promotes more thinking on the part of the electorate. I was able to win some significant points debating with some philosophy majors who's views were far from the right. One asked when I would run for a seat. Of course, as sensible as my arguments where, they attested would never vote conservative.
Of that, I hope polls promoting conservative governments lead to some thought about what we actually are, and not what folks like my philosophy majors believe we are.

Jeff said...

Gerry, having been door to door several times this summer, I'd have to say voters are paying attention. Not more than during an election, but certainly more than usual -- and by "usual" I mean like when elections used to be 3 to 5 years apart.

Anonymous said...

Gerry, any of these polls, positive or negative for the Tory's, have far more relevance than your commentaries do.

Gerry Nicholls said...

Hey Anon:

I think you mean "Tories" not "Tory's".

How is that for relevance?

treb said...

Gerry,if its written in a newspaper it has to be true.I was told this by a great Liberal thinker.And Caz are you saying that because its August people are stupid??Why are they smarter in September??October??..I think personally an 11% lead is low and the media are still manipulating these polls.I cannot believe that 61% of Canadians would not support good government.Are they all that used to corruption and high taxes.

Anonymous said...

We don't need a victory parade Gerry, the Conservatives, under Stephen Harper, won (twice) and ARE the government.

And you have done what exactly?

Gerry Nicholls said...

What have I done lately?

Well I recently ate three fudgsicles in a row, which is more tasty than winning a silly election.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately the Tories are still going nowhere in Quebec despite our efforts. The media French and English are biased against the Conservatives here and there is no getting through that wall.

The war in Afghanistan is a big factor in this image of the Tories as George Bush light.

We can dream of a majority government, but if we don't keep most of the seats we have here or pick up more, it will be very difficult.

Anonymous said...

It is obvious why you have never ran for elected office yourself as your replies to comments in this post as well as in a few others reveal you to be a bitter little man Gerry with nothing to offer other than ridicule and criticism.