What caused the NDP's surge in the Canadian election results?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Dr Lots-o'watts
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the unexpected surge of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Canadian election results, particularly in Quebec, following a debate. Participants explore various factors contributing to this shift, including media appearances and public sentiment, while expressing surprise at the decline of the Liberal and Bloc parties.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the NDP's rise was unforeseen by party members, analysts, and media, with significant losses for the Liberals and Bloc.
  • There is mention of a popular talk show appearance by NDP leader Jack Layton, which some believe may have engaged younger voters.
  • Several participants express astonishment at the scale of the NDP's success and the implications for the Conservative party forming a majority government with the NDP as opposition.
  • Some comments reflect a sense of revolution in Canadian politics, with references to the historical context of the Conservative party's previous standing.
  • Participants share mixed feelings about the new Conservative majority, with some expressing disappointment over the decline of the Bloc and Liberals.
  • One participant highlights the NDP's polling increase of 15% over four weeks as remarkable, noting the correlation with election results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of emotions and opinions regarding the election results, with no clear consensus on the implications of the NDP's rise or the Conservative majority. Disagreement exists on the desirability of these outcomes, particularly concerning the fate of the Bloc and Liberal parties.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal opinions and emotional responses to the election results, which may not be grounded in broader political analysis. The discussion includes speculative elements regarding voter behavior and future political dynamics.

Dr Lots-o'watts
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What started out as an uneventful race became quite interesting after the debate. The NDP surged at the expense the Liberals and the Bloc in Quebec, to the point where many results have become unpredictable.

At one point, a Canadian version of Chris Rock (Mike Ward) hugged Layton on a popular talk show. This may have triggered the younger crowd to get involved.

Numbers coming in in a few hours.
 
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Dr Lots-o'watts said:
What started out as an uneventful race became quite interesting after the debate. The NDP surged at the expense the Liberals and the Bloc in Quebec, to the point where many results have become unpredictable.

At one point, a Canadian version of Chris Rock (Mike Ward) hugged Layton on a popular talk show. This may have triggered the younger crowd to get involved.

Numbers coming in in a few hours.

I am getting some numbers now, as the polls here have been closed for an hour.

My daughter voted twice! She is four years old, and she was allowed to put both my ballot and my wife's ballot into the box.
 
Unbelievable. Quebec has turned NDP! No one, not the party members, not the analysts, not the media, not the polls, have predicted anything close to this! The wave has kept increasing until tonight. Liberals have dropped like a rock, and the Bloc in my eyes, is practically dead.

The next government will be conservative with, for the first time ever, the NDP as opposition.

Most of these representatives have never set foot in parliament. One of the star conservatives is being beat by a young girl known only by a lately released black and white photo.
 
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omg this is close!

This must be what sports fans feel like on the ninth hole of a basball game!
 
A few weeks ago, the most boring campaign ever.

Tonight, the closest Canada has been to anything near a revolution in a long time.

Majority conservative government with NDP as opposition.
 
Dr Lots-o'watts said:
A few weeks ago, the most boring campaign ever.

Tonight, the closest Canada has been to anything near a revolution in a long time.

Majority conservative government with NDP as opposition.

Yes, I suppose it was quite some time ago when Canadians wiped the Conservative party right off of the map, huh?

Anyhow.

Fasten all seatbelts, folks, this is going to be bumpy. And bring some wet wipes too. Because it's going to be messy.
 
A majority ... wow

NDP opposition - good

Lib leader gone
Bloc leader gone

wow .
 
I'm most surprised and pleased about the Bloc.

never liked them.
 
Dr Lots-o'watts said:
Tonight, the closest Canada has been to anything near a revolution in a long time.

So considerate, being so quiet up there with your revolution! Y'all are best neighbors ever *sniff*.
 
  • #10
lisab said:
So considerate, being so quiet up there with your revolution! Y'all are best neighbors ever *sniff*.

So sorry, didn't mean to wake you. :blushing: We'll keep it down.
 
  • #11
Might be that Canada can welcome Quebec back into the county with the knockout of the Bloc.

Thanks Quebec. Merci.
And Welcome to the Green Party
Congratulations Elizabeth May.

She finally got on TV :)
 
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  • #12
I'm shocked at how the Liberals and especially the Bloc just got demolished. Not crazy about the new Conservative majority, however.
 
  • #13
Very depressing.
 
  • #14
Canada got drunk last night and woke up this morning married to Steven Harper.
 
  • #15
WOW to this entire election campaign, especially after the debates on April 12. Look at this graph:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2011FederalElectionPolls.png

The NDP's shot up 15% in 4 weeks. 15%! The election results (also on the graph) are very similar to what polls predicted, but still, it's astounding.