- Harper "I Get By With a Lot of Help From My … Die-Hard Core Supporters"

12:52 PM on October 28, 2010
Rob Ford bounce and ‘elite-phobic’ voters drive Harper surge, Jane Taber, Globe and Mail Update, October 28, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/rob-ford-bounce-and-elite-phobic-voters-drive-harper-surge/article1775943/

It is interesting that overall support for Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party remains the same: 14 Oct: 34.4 and 28 Oct: 33.9

It is interesting that this support pretty much represents the core of die-hard right wing, extremist supporters (33%) epi-centred in Alberta that provide the funds and support that keep Harper in power. (Jeffrey Simpson in his article, G&M,27 Oct, suggests the 'rock-solid' base is 30%).

This core support is important and must be taken into consideration since they skew any polling results.

For example:

"44.5 per cent of respondents believe the country is moving in the right direction" which suggests only 11% non die-hard Cons supporters feel that way.

"36.1 per cent say Mr. Harper’s team is headed the right way" pretty much represents that core of die-hards (within the margin or error) with very little else.

What this implies is that Harper and the Con's represent approximately 1/3 of Canadians.

As long as his policies keep this core content, and don't consolidate the opposition, Harper is able to step-by-step drag Canadian society to the extreme right.

Unless all Canadians are willing to stand up, be counted, and in unison say "I want my Canada back" Harper will continue to transform Canada into something Canadians just don't want.

Also, I found Toronto politics to be interesting in that people seem to be able to support different parties at different levels of government. For example, there seemed to be no problem with having an NDP Mayor, PC Premier and Liberal Prime Minister. So, I am not so sure anything can be taken from Ford voted mayor at the Federal level, although I agree if he disappoints Torontonians, conservatism in the GTA may take a shot.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html