anyone have a concise explanation for canada's election woes?

[enki23]

specifically...

what exactly was the liberal party tarred with (or tarred themselves with) to cause their drop in the polls?

and

does it seem possible that the conservatives could actually form the government? and if so, how likely?

[hlthe2b]

1. Yes... please: a primer for Americans trying to keep up!

[Wonk]

2. Here's what hurt the Liberal Party so much

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_of_Canada_sponsorship_scandal

That, and the gun registry boondoggle, afaik.

[whirlygigspin]

3. keeping an eye on your sneaky neighbor to the North

http://www.politicswatch.com/index2.html

http://www.cric.ca/en_html/nouvelles/index.html

http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&template_id=46&lang=e

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/

http://www.politicsonline.com

[Spazito]

4. I will try to encapsulate what the current angst in Canada is...

The Liberals have been in power for 11 years so there is a ennui in some senses compounded with the fact the Liberals were caught giving the equivalent of no-bid contracts to buddies in the PR sectors with a very poor record of financial accountability for the monies spent, aka the sponsorship scandal.

As to the faux Conservatives: The people involved with the faux Conservative party could not sell their extreme agenda under their former titles, Reform, Alliance, so they worked very hard to subvert and "capture" the party name of Conservative and hoping that the average Canadian won't go beyond the name and look at the policies, or lack of, of the party and, to some extent, they have been successful to this point.

Canada has a multi-party system that can, at times, split the vote when Canadians are not really keen on any of the main parties.

We are not at a tipping point at this election because it will be a minority government which is, imo, a care-taking government that will be in place for a short time and, within that short time, Canadians will have to decide which direction they want the country to go.

[Minstrel Boy]

5. There are no "election woes" for this Canadian.

We are electing a minority Liberal government, and the parliament could have a record number of NDP (socialist) MPs. A minority government is actually what many Canadians want. They've worked well for us in the past.

The Conservatives have no chance. They peaked, tipped their hand and voters fled. They're poised to do much worse than many expect.

The Liberals have been in power for 11 years, and are seeking their fourth consecutive majority government. A big fatigue factor is working against the Liberals. But just because many Canadians are tired of them, doesn't mean they want an illiberal government. In fact, many are disappointed that they haven't been more liberal. Hence the renaissance of the party of the left, the NDP, which should do very well Monday night.

We'll be okay. I swear.

[enki23]

6. that's pretty much the feeling i've been getting

i just wanted to get it laid out by an actual canadian. thank you, and the rest of you.