Nov. 12/05

Poll: Let Liberals Govern

 

As overall volume of media coverage turned down significantly, National Post and Vancouver Sun front pages emphasized new poll suggesting Canadians want to wait until spring to vote.

News reports also highlighted contradictory finding from Ipsos-Reid survey that most Canadians are unimpressed with Prime Minister Paul Martin’s performance in office.

Media coverage suggests Liberal government is getting traction with message track that Prime Minister Martin will concentrate on governing while opposition parties play politics.

Globe and Mail coverage speculated Liberal mini-budget will include legislation to be tabled in the House of Commons. News report observed Liberal strategists are attempting to position opposition parties as obstructing tax cuts for Canadians.

Prospects for an early election received only light weekend commentary:

· Globe columnist Jeffrey Simpson said political junkies are paying attention, but most Canadians are turned off by election fever.

· Andrew Coyne concluded in the National Post the Liberal minority government cannot survive in Parliament until February, making a winter election necessary.

 

Minority Parliament Countdown

 

Lifeline Communications will provide ongoing daily analysis of national and regional media coverage as news developments build towards the possible collapse of Canada’s first minority parliament in 25 years.

 

Our media analysis will track the tone of news reports, columns, editorials and opinion pieces. Lifeline Communications will assess efforts of political parties to frame national issues, deliver key messages through the news media, and define the ‘ballot question’ voters may decide on election day.