NDP Wankers
I would like to get this out of the way right away, I would vote for the NDP if I could.
Good ole Jack has accused Canadians of strategic voting, ignoring his party in order to deal with the immediate threat of Conservative Government. If Stephen Harper and his crew are elected into a minority, or God forbid a majority government, we are in for years of social conservative policy that simply has not been discussed in this campaign. Martin has tried to call out Harper and get him to show how blue his blood really is, but Harper has insulated himself so well with the negative ad stance that came out just after the holidays. (It drives me crazy how quickly people forget the Reform/ Alliance party policy platforms…)
The NDP have been strongly targeting seniors, which is a strategic mistake to begin with. Most of these folks are old school Liberals or Conservatives who are voting for their party. It’s like moving heaven and earth to shift these votes.
If they targeted the youth, who are much more fickle with their votes, then they could gain some headway. This is a much better demographic for them as well as the baby-boom echo is now voting age. They are smart though, and know that tax dollars equate to services, and know that if there are not enough tax dollars, there will not be as many services. Give them a plan Jack.
Here is my advice to the Jack and his “strategists”:
- Give us a financial plan. Outline the new initiatives and back them up with quotes from economists, think tanks and experts. People love to accuse the NDP of giving away the farm, go ahead and prove them wrong with a comprehensive budget plan.
- Get Cool. The NDP have the advantage of having artists, musicians, and many other creative types that have a strong liberal message for the youth. An appearance with K-Os or the Beastie Boys would go a lot further than more “Liberal Corruption” rhetoric. (Leave that to Mr. Harper.)
- Speak about politics like grownups. Canada is a part of the G7 and a superpower on the world stage. The NDP in front of me doesn’t play like that. The emphasis is so focused on domestic issues, that I have a hard time thinking of Jack as leader on that international stage. Think West Wing, not BC municipal politics.
- Present a viable slate of people. The NDP need to build an image of a capable group of folks that can take the reigns of government. The folks on the slate are not ready to take on ministerial roles. (Sven Robinson would be crucified in Ottawa in less than a week.) The Canadian public need to be reassured that an NDP government staff could actually work with bureaucrats once elected.
Maybe by the next election Mr. Layton and his party will be ready. Layton has come such a long way in the past 5-6 years, with his public image and political strategy. (He actually managed to get something done in the last parliament.) So I hope that in the next four years he will put together a real alternative.
In the mean time, I’m exercising my strategic vote. A Liberal government is a hell of a lot better than a Conservative government that hides it’s true colours during an election campaign and assertively promotes social conservative policy once it’s over.