Capital Chronicleshttp://www.winnipegfreepress.com/images/columns/mia_rabson.jpgTwo peas in a pod- September 18, 2008 I was thinking a lot in the last few days about the way the parties are campaigning in this election. The Liberals and the NDP are out there making big promises for national day care and home care and catastrophic drug programs. Today Dion promised a $70 billion, 10-year infrastructure plan. Layton pledged a national home ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=160 Under the radar- September 18, 2008 There have been a couple of things that seemed to fly a little under the radar in the campaign so far which I find interesting. While bad birds, bad-mouthed spokesmen and bad jokes from Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz are getting most of the attention a few other interesting issues are floating around. The first relates to court ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=159 All in the Liberal family- September 17, 2008 It seems this election is a passing of the family torch for the Liberals. In three ridings, the family members of well known former Liberal cabinet ministers or prime ministers are running in this election. Dan Boudria, the son of former Public Works Minister Don Boudria, is seeking his father&8217;s old seat in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. (That&8217;s in eastern ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=158 The crow flies at midnight- September 15, 2008 For the second time that I&8217;ve noticed, the Conservatives seem to be going a little extra far to prevent anyone from figuring out where they are going to hold their daily events. Last Monday, they informed reporters who weren&8217;t on the leader&8217;s tour to meet up with the bus at one location and either board the ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=157 Plane schmane- September 14, 2008 Stephane Dion and the Liberal party got hit right out of the gate with accusations of disorganization and disarray because of their airplane issue. While Stephen Harper and Jack Layton were airborne within hours of the writ being dropped, Dion spent most of day one in Ottawa before boarding a bus bound for Montreal. The ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=156 Campaign day 4- September 11, 2008 So much happens so quickly on a campaign. While I was traversing the menaces of the Toronto freeways today in search of party economic plans Jack Layton and Stephen Harper were rethinking their opposition to Elizabeth May&8217;s participation in the leader&8217;s debate. Sometimes, public pressure can be persuasive. The two obviously felt the backlash from the public ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=155 Tories go interactive- September 9, 2008 It&8217;s clear this election is going to see the Internet used by the parties in ways they never have before. Instead of web sites with a long list of links to news stories and party press releases, they are making these sites cheeky, and interactive and courting the younger &8220;Daily Show&8221; type viewers. The Tories new web ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=154 Move over sweater vest, this is Dion- September 9, 2008 The Liberals unveiled two new websites this morning. The first - This is Dion is their attempt at the Tory sweater vest family man ads. After watching the main video I thought two things. Why is this not on television Who is this guy and where has he been for the last two years Dion&8217;s English is the best ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=153 If at first you dont succeed. . .- September 9, 2008 Hmmm . . .the daily Tory briefings from their Ottawa war room have already been delayed by two hours. They were supposed to do it every day at 6 a.m. but on the first morning they got a very poor turnout. The briefing for Tuesday is now scheduled for 8:05 a.m. instead of 6:05. Wonder if it ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=152 The green day will come- September 8, 2008 It seems the debate about whether to include the Green Party leader in the national leaders&8217; debates will die and live another day.The broadcast consortium that negotiates the debates with the various parties says three of the four major parties in this country said if the Greens were allowed in, they would bow out. So ...http://www.winnipegfreepress2.com/blogs/rabson/?p=151 |