![Text Box: Nov. 29/05
Tough Campaign Ahead for Liberals
National media coverage delivered the overarching message that Canadians are in for a long, nasty winter campaign that will likely expose deep divisions in the country.
Mulling over new poll results and leaders’ comments immediately following the minority government’s defeat, news reports concluded the Liberal Party heads into the campaign with a small lead in support, losing ground in Ontario, and facing increasing desire for change. [Globe A1, Ott Cit A4]
News reports, columns and pundits universally agree Canada will face another minority government after this election, and possibly a long period of minority rule in the future.
In an interesting switch on previous media themes, Liberal Leader Paul Martin was positioned in media coverage as angry following the non-confidence vote, criticizing the alliance of “neo-Conservatives, the separatist Bloc Quebecois and the New Democrats” for voting non-confidence. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper was portrayed as calm and positive about the vision his party will present to voters during the campaign.
Front page Vancouver coverage amplified the media theme about angry Liberals, describing Industry Minister David Minister David Emerson as lobbing “verbal grenades” in calling the Conservatives angry, heartless individuals who don’t respect immigrants. [Van Sun A1]
Tuesday’s columns and editorials included criticism for Liberal star candidate Michael Ignatieff and dire warnings Canada is coming apart:
A Calgary Herald editorial said if a week is a long time in politics, an eight week campaign is long enough for remarkable developments to occur. The newspaper emphasized neither Quebec or Alberta are in any move to forgive the Liberal party. [Cgy Hld A14]
National Post columnist Andre Coyne said the Liberal strategy of drawing attention to Stephen Harper’s accusations about the involvement of organized crime in the Quebec sponsorship scandal have the unintended effect of keeping the scandal, and unanswered questions like where is $40 million in missing taxpayer dollars, firmly in the spotlight. [Van Sun A13]
Ottawa Citizen and Calgary Herald editorials concluded the Liberals still have not learned their lesson about redressing the democratic deficit, given the party’s refusal to hold an open nomination meeting for star candidate Michael Ignatieff in the face of controversy. [Ott Cit A14, Cgy Hld A14]
Toronto Star columnist James Travers said Liberal Leader Paul Martin’s largest asset is that he is personally more likable than Stephen Harper. Travers concluded this election’s results will expose Alberta and Quebec as centrifugal forces pulling Canada apart. [Tor Star A1]
Calgary Herald columnist Don Martin suggested a flawless campaign, and pitch perfect performance by Stephen Harper, could be enough to produce a Conservative government, bolstered by a desire for change. [Cgy Hld A6]](Nov_29_files/image303.gif)
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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. |
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