It was the Liberal Party's fault for being arrogant

[Ken Burch]

Harper got his majority because of Ignatieff's insistence that non-Liberal anti-Harper voters were simply OBLIGATED to vote Liberal no matter how far to the right the Liberals drifted.

He didn't treat the NDP voters and other left anti-Harper voters as equals in the process.

And he always opposed proportional representation. If Iggy had been willing even to promise to pass THAT, he could have changed the whole dynamic.

It's bullshit to blame the NDP for what happened tonight.

And there was NEVER any indication during this campaign that the Conservatives would have been turfed if ONLY the voters had been promised that the Liberals would remain stronger than the NDP.

[shockedcanadian]

1. I agree with some your premises.

I would suggest, as someone born and raised in Toronto, that the Liberal arrogance has been prevalent for years. The fact that Ignatieff would miss so many days of work illustrates his lack of commitment to the party. When you are on the receiving end of the highlight reel on a debate (I say highlight reel because I didnt watch the debate, I only caught the "key moments")due to this lack of days at work, then your days are numbered. Layton was right, if you don't show up for work, you don't get a promotion. Who will be next to lead this once proud and mighty party?

The last desperate act of parading Chretien around to try and gain old support illustrated just how badly he had ruined their reputation. I cannot say I am surprised nor disappointed with the loss of seats the Liberals have experienced. With the split of votes, it was evident they had no chance, quite frankly I am not sure I would want him leading Canada.

I think the final straw was when he suggested to Peter Mansbridge that if the Conservatives won a minority that he would go to the GG and try to wrestle power away. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I am not sure what his motivation was other to say this before an election other than to send a message to Harper that he had better play nice or else...

Exciting times watching this election, the first year I have ever really paid attention to it. The Conservatives have a real major opportunity here to solidify their position as leading party of this nation for many years to come. Just getting over the hump in Ontario is a huge step forward. There is no way anyone can predict where this will lead...

[snagglepuss]

2. The NDP like everyone else saw the unrelenting attacks on Ignatiff since he

became the Liberal leader. The NDP knows full well what Harper plans to do with a majority and they also knew that if Harper didn't get a majority he'd be turfed as the Tory leader. If Layton cared about Canada he would have bit the bullet and told Canadians to vote strategically, he should have been relentlessly attacking Harper even if that meant playing second fiddle to Liberals. As least we would have had a minority govt and Harper would be out. Harper is now effing ensconced in his role.

When he cancels election subsidies where where is the NDP going to get the sort of cash it needs to run an effective campaign against a party that will allow unlimited corporate donations?

Furthermore you will recall it was Layton who brought down Martin's minority govt which gave Harper the opportunity to get his foot in the door and make like he was Mr Moderate.

[Ken Burch]

3. No Layton didn't bring down Martin and that's been repeatedly proved.

Even if the NDP HAD backed Martin on that no-confidence motion, the Liberals would STILL have fallen by a vote of 153-151. The NDP votes there made no difference.

And electoral history proves strategic voting doesn't work...especially since the Liberals never vote strategically for NDP candidates in NDP/Tory marginals.