WHY would Ontario, knowing what they know of Martin, vote for him??? First. Ontario didn't vote for Martin. He lives in Quebec and became leader of the Liberal party by default .
Second , the Liberal Party in 2000 was elected with 37.8% of the vote.
Third. In Ontario alone , the combined votes for the Alliance and the PCPC in 29 ridings would have defeated the Liberal who won .
Fourth . The existence of a red tory PCPC and the Stockwell Day Alliance displaced many voters who vote in the center of the two. They didn't vote.
Fifth. As of last week, the Alliance no longer exists , nor does the PCPC .The vote splitting will stop. Clark and his red shirts have fled the party along with , most notably Orchard and the gay Bisson , who now appears as a member of Martin's government .
Sixth. The CPC , Conservative Party of Canada , does not have the luxury of time as Martin will go for a spring election. And right now we don't have a leader. We may squeak by with a minority government but it's doubtful . The next election, 2008? will be the battle ground.
And finally , Someone who lives in Perth or Arnprior or Barrie is just as ignored by Ottawa as you are .
I know those facts you just posted. I knew that Chretien had a MAJORITY government with 37% of the vote (because of the seat structure). Also, I am extremely glad that the Conservatives and the CA got their act together and joined. However, yesterday as I drove home after work, I heard the announcer say that the Liberals are still way out in front with over 50% of the vote?? I realize Martin hasn't been VOTED in yet, but it is assumed by all the media that he's the NEXT Prime Minister. No matter that there must be an election called. It just irks the bejeezus out of me that the assumption is already made that MARTIN WILL be the winner of the next election. I'm sure he realizes that he does not have the same situation as Chretien had but a lot will turn on Ontario because Quebec will never vote for the New Conservative party. I agree that he will call an election as soon as possible. Same as Chretien did when Stockwell Day was gaining steam fast. A Minority Government would be liveable I guess, because everything would NOT be a foregone conclusion. David Orchard has proceeded to make himself look really bad. I listened to him on Dave Rutherford recently. Bisson, the same. I wasn't aware that certain parts of Ontario were ignored, that is news to me. A monumental upset is my dream.