The Election Pending

My daughter  Heather has worked in several federal elections. This will be her fourth. The job  starts to-day. It adds to the interest.

The media seems to have decided the incumbent will be  Prime Minister again. They are always in such a hurry to predict.

They say people are not interested . The starter pistol  has  just  been fired.  The horses are barely out the gate. The media are in their own race to accurately  predict the winner. They're always in such a hurry to win the pool , they  eliminate  the excitement of the race.  

I think they're full of it. Every day has the potential for something electric .

It's  a long time since I decided the NDP is not a real political party.It was hard for me to do.  The people who finance it and provide the leg power are not really interested in forming a government. They are content to have it as the political arm of  organised labour. They ignore eighty-five per cent of their potential constituency.

It leaves me with only one choice. It is not the Conservative party.

Still,  the media  does reveal.

We already knew the  current First Minister has never held a real job. Involvement. prior to politics was  with a right-wing think tank. He has never chosen to mix with the common people. He isn't doing it now. The morning after his first election, he walked his six year old son to school, wearing  a long overcoat and gloves. He bent down and shook hands with his little son at the school gate.

People who attend his events have to pre-register. He takes only five questions from reporters. He apparently believes  protecting  himself from the possibility of normal spontaneous  interaction  will get him  home safely.

The Conservative campaign thus far has essentially poured all its efforts into destroying the character of Mr. Ignatieff rather than  promote the qualities of their leader.

That's a mistake. People make an intuitive choice. Mostly about trust.Why doesn't the Conservative machine talk about their leader's past? Is there anything to tell?

Is nothingness a good thing?

Mr.Ignatieff on the other hand. has held some very impressive posts in private life. People have a great respect for  professional qualifications and achievement.

He  has a  strong but  severe face. His opportunities to be seen have not provided much opportunity to show himself. An election campaign  is different. We see  him walking,talking to  ordinary people. He is comfortable  in his skin.He reminds me of  former Conservative leader, Robert Stanfield.

He may not yet have all  the attributes of a skilled politician but he is not afraid to show and share  himself. That is an imperative.

Jack Layton is a skilled  politician but he  has  an unenviable role. The U.A.W  leader, whoever he is,  never allows the N.D.P.to have  a leader. On the eve of every election , the  President  jumps into bed  like a cheerful strumpet with the Liberals.

I think this  election has promise.  National  politics could become ours again.Like they were before. 

The Conservative leader has  had every opportunity to make his mark. It is barely intelligible. It's how he wants it .

Ignatieff  gave up a position in life that brings nothing but praise  and accolades, for the hurly-burly of  politics which offers something completely different. Without his challenge , we could  continue to be  governed by  the  cold, colourless, secretive, contriving and  controlling personality of the current prime minister.

What is he  anxious to hide? Why is he unwilling to share ? Is  he  afraid  we won't like him if we knew him? Is that a person who can  lead us to better things?

 I do not  think so.

If I were asked  to place a bet ...I would place it on  people's intuition.

If  indifference  is the sleeping giant in this election, we must all do our best to poke and prod  the lazy beast awake.

Yes, I will take a  red sign please.