Reply #3: The conservatives won

[whosinpower]

A MINORITY government. What does that mean? It means that Harper does not have a majority of seats to vote on his agenda - therefore we shall see how well he is at negotiating with the opposition. He must gain support from the opposing parties to pass anything.

Conservatives - 124 seats
Liberal - 103
Bloc Quebequois - 51
NDP 29
independant - 1

The liberals lost - not because Canada is drifting to the right - But because the liberals have been plagued with scandal and corruption. Canadians voted to punish them - but not write them off totally. Paul Martin - Leader of the liberal party has resigned as PM and will not lead the party in the next election. So - we can look forward to a leadership convention in the liberal caucus and hopefully - the party can heal itself.

Having said that - Harper did not get his mandate - even though he presented himself as a moderate centrist. He can govern only as long as he can get along with everyone else. Should he try to push a right wing agenda - he will be out on his ear faster than spit with a non confidence vote and yet another election.

In terms of a popular vote - nationally - the conservatives got around 36 percent of the vote. The rest of the parties - Liberal, NDP and Bloc all lean left - so if you were to break it down - it would be 36 percent leans right. 64 percent leans left. Hardly a change in canadian thinking - we are still lefties up here.

Last time the conservatives were in power - we saw a devastating recession - double digit inflation and horrendous debt - all because Mulroney wanted tax breaks for the wealthy and his corporate interests. He resigned when he could see the writing on the wall - Kim Campbell stepped in and the conservatives were annihilated from a big majority government to 2 seats.

Canadians have not forgotten. It is just that we need to give the liberals a "time out" to refocus. Harper's hands are effectively tied into governing moderately. Who knows - maybe he will get to like it and recognize this is what the vast majority of Canada wants and needs. Perhaps he will abandon his right leanings.......we shall see.....we shall see.