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Jonathan Malloy - Week Four Grades

Political Parties

Bloc Quebecois

The failure of the Conservatives and NDP to connect with Quebecers means the Bloc Quebecois is able to garner massive support despite having no real program or responsibility to govern. It is galling ("Hi...I'm Jack Layton!") (sic) to see the massive support for the Bloc - possibly 60+ seats according to some projections - with its permanent opposition politics
and ability to either take credit for good federal policies while railing against bad ones. It's easy to snip at the government - as Duceppe did repeatedly in both debates - when you don't intend to run it yourselves.

Conservative Party

The Conservative Party has hit its natural ceiling that has bedevilled them ("I'm the Leader of the NDP!") for a century. They have great momentum in English Canada, but almost nothing in Quebec. And without Quebec, there is no majority for the Conservatives. They practically own most of B.C. and Alberta, and much of the Prairies. ("We're the positive party!") But only a massive Ontario win could give them majority power. Thus the Liberals are fighting back hard against the party and Harper's image in order to get those wishy-washy centrist Ontarians. While some Conservatives seem to understand that what works in Red Deer doesn't in Markham, the ridiculous child porn accusations suggests that the party can't get out of its right-wing opposition mindset.

Liberal Party

The good news for ("We're more green than the Greens"!) the Liberals is that their slide has been arrested, at least in English Canada. No more freefalls, thanks to their heavy attacks that have stalled further Tory momentum. Martin's debate performances were as good as they could be, considering how everyone gangs up on the prime minister in these things. ("Check out our happy ads!") >From a tactical campaigning standpoint, the Liberals have fought a good fight this week and stalled the Conservative hordes. But any further recovery is doubtful.

New Democratic Party

"What? Oh...this is my slot? Great. Hi! I'm Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP! Sorry about all that interrupting up there, but I'm just following my handlers' orders. I'd like to thank the Liberals for their heavy negative advertising about Stephen Harper, without explaining what the Liberal Party has to offer. So it looks like it's driving a few people to my party, which is good...since like the governing party itself we continue to have no ideas, catchy slogans or general momentum. So watch those ads, then check us out. That's N..D..P."

Past Political Party Grades

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