Sell Your Hogs
So Canadians are on the verge of an election on January 23rd. Here is what I've learned from the oh-so-insightful Canadian media:
It's cold in January.
Brilliant. But what are the ramifications of a winter election? Are Liberals more resistant to the cold due to the insulating properties of thick bribe envelopes? Will Conservatives in Alberta stay home to break ice for the cattle? Are NDP supporters more likely to lose their mittens, and therfore miss the vote? There really has been a dearth of speculation along these lines...What do you think, gentle reader?
In any event, it's a pretty safe bet that fewer Canadians will turn out. Year after year, the Canadian electorate becomes more apathetic. According to Elections Canada, voter turnout has dropped from 77% in 1972 to 61% in 2000. In the U.S., lower turnout historically favours Republican candidates, who typically have a stronger base. Does the same hold true for Canadian Conservatives? Who benefits in Canada from low voter turnout?
The only strategy that makes any sense for candidates in a January election is to turn up the heat, metaphorically speaking. Stir the passions of your supporters. According to my sources, Canadians have long been jealous of the rock 'em sock 'em nature of U.S. politics. Say what you will about the deleterious effects of negative campaigning on the body politic, but it sure creates a buzz.
Take former President Lyndon Johnson, for example: Legend has it that he won his seat in congress by insinuating that his opponent, a wealthy pig farmer, had carnal relations with his sows. According to Hunter S. Thompson, "...His campaign manager was shocked. 'We can't say that, Lyndon,' he said. 'It's not true.' 'Of course it's not,' Johnson barked at him, 'but let's make the bastard deny it.'"
Now that's entertainment!
According to the CTV news staff, "Pundits and pollsters are predicting the coming election campaign will be among the most heated -- and possibly the dirtiest -- in Canadian political history."
There really is no love lost between Harper and Martin. Here's my advice to Canadian politicians:
Sell your hogs.
Tags: News and politics,Agriculture,Canada
It's cold in January.
Brilliant. But what are the ramifications of a winter election? Are Liberals more resistant to the cold due to the insulating properties of thick bribe envelopes? Will Conservatives in Alberta stay home to break ice for the cattle? Are NDP supporters more likely to lose their mittens, and therfore miss the vote? There really has been a dearth of speculation along these lines...What do you think, gentle reader?
In any event, it's a pretty safe bet that fewer Canadians will turn out. Year after year, the Canadian electorate becomes more apathetic. According to Elections Canada, voter turnout has dropped from 77% in 1972 to 61% in 2000. In the U.S., lower turnout historically favours Republican candidates, who typically have a stronger base. Does the same hold true for Canadian Conservatives? Who benefits in Canada from low voter turnout?
The only strategy that makes any sense for candidates in a January election is to turn up the heat, metaphorically speaking. Stir the passions of your supporters. According to my sources, Canadians have long been jealous of the rock 'em sock 'em nature of U.S. politics. Say what you will about the deleterious effects of negative campaigning on the body politic, but it sure creates a buzz.
Take former President Lyndon Johnson, for example: Legend has it that he won his seat in congress by insinuating that his opponent, a wealthy pig farmer, had carnal relations with his sows. According to Hunter S. Thompson, "...His campaign manager was shocked. 'We can't say that, Lyndon,' he said. 'It's not true.' 'Of course it's not,' Johnson barked at him, 'but let's make the bastard deny it.'"
Now that's entertainment!
According to the CTV news staff, "Pundits and pollsters are predicting the coming election campaign will be among the most heated -- and possibly the dirtiest -- in Canadian political history."
There really is no love lost between Harper and Martin. Here's my advice to Canadian politicians:
Sell your hogs.
Tags: News and politics,Agriculture,Canada
