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June 30, 2004

It was the Conservatives' election to win

I was going to write about why I though the Conservatives lost an election that was theirs to win. But since others have made my point, I will defer to them: Today's Toronto Sun Editorial Today's column from Andrew Coyne... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 12:42 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 29, 2004

Computers marking essays?

This is unbelievable! Indiana is having a computer mark the essay tests of more than 48,000 students this year in a pilot project. The International Herald Tribune has more on what I had originally thought was a joke.... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 07:18 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Science and Technology

Why were the polls wrong?

That question is being asked in the media and around water coolers this morning after the Liberals surprised pundits with a strong showing yesterday. Under siege from the media last night, pollsters were at a loss to explain what had... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:50 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Liberals salvage the election

I don't think that many of us expected as strong a result as Paul Martin's Liberals received yesterday. The signs were there, though, he we not been taken in by the seat projections that the media were playing up over... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 12:51 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 28, 2004

E-Day

It's Election Day and the media are peddling stories about their election coverage and predictions that range from the rosy (minorities are great) to the dire (we're headed into the abyss). The truth is somewhere in between. The decision is... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:39 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

The Bagdad Bombshell

In a surprise move, the American-led coalition turned over power to Iraq's interim government this morning, two days ahead of schedule. The bombshell announcement was designed to foil the terrorists and insurgents, who have been killing hundreds with car bombs,... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:14 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / United States

June 27, 2004

CBC to do exit polling

The National Broadcaster will be doing something different on Election Day - exit polling. This, despite the fact that they made a big deal of not commissioning any polls. The stated reason is to give Canadians some context to the... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:34 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Krispy Kreme to the Rescue

On this last day of the campaign, Paul Martin is engaged in a Clinton-esque 24-hour, 5 province marathon. When his staff told the media of the PM's plans they... well they got royally annoyed. Reporters with the Liberal campaign will,... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:00 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 26, 2004

Did nothing happen yesterday?

Judging by the front page of the National Post this morning, I am led to believe that nothing newsworthy happened yesterday. Their front page features a quarter-page photo of Conservative leader Stephen Harper, a (very interesting) column from Andrew Coyne,... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:51 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: The Media

June 25, 2004

Paul Martin and public negotiations

Yesterday on CBC Newsworld's show Politics Paul Martin repeated his pledge to open the upcoming First Ministers' Meeting on Health to the public. He told Don Newman that (and I am paraphrasing) important discussions that could have a significant impact... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:22 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 24, 2004

On Minority Governments

It is now clear that (barring any surprises) this will be closest election since 1963 when Prime Minister John Diefenbaker managed to hold on to power propped up by a strong 30-seat performance by Social Credit. Diefenbaker actually lost the... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:01 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 23, 2004

Why the election is not over II

First, an apology: this entry is (at least partially) a self-serving "I told you so." A week ago, I chided the media for having declared Stephen Harper the new Prime Minister of Canada in the wake of the two Leaders'... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:46 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 22, 2004

Max in the National Post

To those of you who have found your way here after reading my entry on the Conservative Party War Room that was reprinted in today's National Post: Welcome! Please browse the site and join the discussion in the Forum. You... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:02 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Site Updates

First Ministers Meetings on TV - Bad Idea

Paul Martin has promised that this Summer's First Minister's Meeting on health care will be "open to the public." By this he means that if you want, you'll be able to watch it on television. What the media and Paul... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:27 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 21, 2004

The 3's are wild

It looks like next Monday evening is going to be a long night for journalists, pundits and those interested in politics. The latest numbers from SES Research has the Tories and the Liberals tied at 33% even after an ugly... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 04:03 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Liberal candidates abadoning Martin brand

Greg Weston reports in the Toronto Sun this morning that Liberal candidates are removing the photo of Paul Martin and the "Team Martin" branding from their election signs, their websites and their flyers. They have, it seems, concluded that Mr.... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:31 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 20, 2004

Sizing up the Campaigns: Week 4

This week began with a pair of disappointing debates on Monday and Tuesday in which none of the party leaders took charge, and ended with Conservative leader Stephen Harper taking a huge gamble. The past two weeks have seen the... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 08:51 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 19, 2004

Most disturbing...

Periodically, most webmasters check their server statistics to find out what Google and Yahoo! searches lead people to their sites. I am no different. It helps us find out what content is popular and what is not. This morning, I... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 08:41 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Ever wonder what it is like to be scrummed?

Credit: Frank Gunn, The Canadian Press This fantastic photo really gives you an idea of what a media scrum is like. (There is a much larger version on the front page of today's National Post.) I just hope everyone... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 12:02 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: The Media

June 18, 2004

The Tory "war room" has gone mad

The Conservative "war room" have been an effective, disciplined team identifying the many inconsistencies and contradictions in the statements of Paul Martin and members of his Liberal Party. Until today. It's fast becoming the political equivalent of the famous Andres... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:09 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Liberal dirty tricks in Tinity-Spadina?

If there is one thing for certain in the election, it is that the race in the Toronto riding of Trinity-Spadina is a war. Long-time Liberal MP, Tony Ianno is locked in a fierce battle with long-time Toronto City Councillor... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 01:36 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 17, 2004

Microsoft wants you to pay to fix their mistakes

Microsoft Corporation is getting into the computer security software business. The software hegemon has been accused in the past of being lax on the security of its Windows operating system because millions of users are forced to download Windows patches... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:32 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Science and Technology

June 16, 2004

Why the election is not over

Last night on CTV's Countdown, noted NDP thinker and pundit, Gerry Caplan put his hand on the arm of former Liberal Party President Stephen LeDrew and said, "This election's over." Similar thoughts are being expressed elsewhere in the media and... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 07:00 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 15, 2004

Harper wins debate (by not losing)

Stephen Harper was able to stay out of trouble tonight and, in so doing, did enough to be considered the winner of the English Leaders’ Debate. Paul Martin need to either present his vision in a clear contrast to Mr.... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:06 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Debate Countdown clock on Global

Whose idea was this? Oooh, I only have 10 minutes and 51 seconds to wait for the... Leader's Debate? This isn't the Superbowl, guys.... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 08:31 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: The Media

The French Debate

I watched the french language debate last night in french (oui, je suis une chatte bilingue) and came out of it with a different impression than people who watched it in english. I thought that Gilles Duceppe won based on... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 08:49 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Every penny will go to health care?

This from the crack research team with the Ontario NDP: In his radio ads, Dalton McGuinty says that "every penny" of his government's new health tax will go to health care. As it turns out $113-million of it will go... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 08:27 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 14, 2004

European voters hand their governments a rebuke

Voters viewed the this week's European Parliamentary Elections as referenda on their national governments and, almost universally gave them a slap in the face. No government of a major EU state was unscathed and to make things worse, European officials... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 07:48 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / World

June 13, 2004

A leaders' debate primer (Part 2)

As I said in yesterday’s debate primer, it is Paul Martin and Jack Layton who have to most to accomplish to be deemed successful the election debates on Monday and Tuesday. The other two party leaders, Gilles Duceppe and Stephen... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:39 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 12, 2004

A leaders' debate primer (Part 1)

It will be quiet weekend on the campaign trail. The three national party leaders and Gilles Duceppe will retreating to meeting rooms and rented TV studios to cram and practice for the two leaders’ debates set for Monday and Tuesday.... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:55 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 10, 2004

Desperate measures for desperate times

The Liberals have finally admitted the obvious – they are in trouble. To stem the tide, top Liberal thinkers have decided to use a desperate strategy: more negative ads. They are taking a huge risk. If it works for Paul... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:14 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 9, 2004

I don't understand...

This news release posted on Canada Newswire (CNW) by the now former President of a Tory riding association has me confused. I understand her argument for leaving but then there is this paragraph: I will retain my membership in the... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 05:27 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Ontario will lose influence in Ottawa

I think that's a real stretch to say that our budget had much of an impact at all on the federal campaign -Greg Sorbarra, Ontario Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier If you were looking for evidence that the Ontario... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 12:46 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Ontario

McGuinty fails the Mike Harris test

Saturday will mark the beginning of the ninth month of Liberal rule in Ontario. In the eight months that have passed, the McGuinty government has done more to damage its reputation than any government in recent memory. With McGuinty’s personal... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:58 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Ontario

June 8, 2004

Paul Prevaricates Again

The man who promised Canadians that he would get to the bottom of the AdScam scandal before an election warned us yesterday that it may take a long time find out what happened to that missing $100-million. Paul Martin implied... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:29 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 7, 2004

Sizing up the Campaigns: Week 2

After two weeks of the 2004 election campaign, it is clear that three things are missing. Funny Hats: No election campaign is complete without a party leader wearing strange headgear, or a hat that doesn’t fit. The highlight of the... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:19 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

Government worse than Opposition for Harper?

You have to wonder if Stephen Harper is more worried about forming a government than losing the election. First, it looks like whoever wins will have only a plurality of seats, not enough to form a majority. For the Tories,... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:34 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 5, 2004

From Horse Race to Horse Trading?

Liberal leader Paul Martin says voters aren’t yet engaged in the election, so he isn’t worried about the series of bad poll results his party is facing. The latest results show the Martin Liberals (32%) effectively tied with the Tories... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 10:49 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 4, 2004

Newsflash: KFC is unhealthy

Shocking as it may seem, Kentucky Fried Chicken is not part of a healthy weight loss regime, or so says the America Federal Trade Commission. KFC has been running ads that suggest that you can eat their oil-laden, breaded product... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 11:39 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Strange Stuff

Owen offside

I guess Stephen Owen didn’t get the memo. You’ll remember the memo in question, it was delivered to all Liberal Party supporter, current, past and potential, via the news media earlier this week and told them all that the Martin... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:13 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 3, 2004

Martin's vicious circle

For Paul Martin’s Liberals, neither AdScam nor the McGuinty Budget would have been electorally fatal on their own. But as the former began to fade the latter arrived to reinforce the impression that “you just can’t trust a Liberal.” Of... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 08:58 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 2, 2004

Team Martin: The Scream Team

The strategists behind Paul Martin’s bid to win the PM’s office in an election have resorted desperate tactics to try to salvage their floundering campaign. In their wisdom they dispatched two Liberal Cabinet Ministers to get in Conservative leader Stephen... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 09:37 AM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: Politics / Canada

June 1, 2004

The media can smell the fear

Every once in a while, a governing political party goes into an election full of confidence only to find itself fighting for it's life after only a few days on the campaign trail. There is no doubt that this is... More...

Posted by maxthecat at 12:05 PM | TrackBack | Printer-friendly version
Filed in: The Media