NDP blows lead much like the B.C. Liberals did in 1996

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      When the election campaign began in mid-April, it looked like the B.C. Liberals were doomed.

      But by the end, Christy Clark and her party won a majority government, leaving many New Democrats shell-shocked.

      It's reminiscent of the 1996 election when the Opposition B.C. Liberals looked like they would cruise to victory over the NDP, then led by Glen Clark.

      The B.C. Liberals had a 20-percentage point lead at one point.

      Glen Clark had replaced the previous NDP premier Mike Harcourt. And the NDP campaign's populist message of "On Your Side" was designed to hold the base.

      The 1996 New Democrats' negative ads against then-B.C. Liberal leader Gordon Campbell painted a sinister picture, enabling Glen Clark to pull of an astonishing come-from-behind victory.

      Glen Clark was also a far more charismatic campaigner than Campbell.

      This time, Christy Clark was the more charismatic leader and her campaign—like the NDP's in 1996—played to her base. She started way behind the NDP, but her "Strong Economy Secure Future" message consolidated the right wing under the B.C. Liberals' tent.

      And by the time the votes were being counted, the New Democrats realized they were once again going to be on the Opposition side of the legislature.

      Comments

      11 Comments

      A. MacInnis

      May 14, 2013 at 11:21pm

      What a time not to have any alcohol handy... whatta mess...

      Slippin Away

      May 14, 2013 at 11:23pm

      NDP must have consulted the Toronto Maple Leafs on how to hold a lead.

      HellSlayerAndy

      May 14, 2013 at 11:24pm

      "It's reminiscent of the 1996 election"

      How?

      Campbell had 3% more of the popular vote and Weisgerber was way more of a factor in Liberal ridings than Sterk ever was in NDP ridings in this election or the last one.
      Krusty kicked their ass in the BOTH seat count and popular vote.
      There is no comparison...stop the 'charisma' crap.

      Let's repeat for the hard of hearing:
      1) NDP has no popular support
      2) No money
      3) Won three elections in over 60 years.

      Victoria

      May 14, 2013 at 11:28pm

      I couldn't be more disappointed in my Province right now. Environment, teachers, students, unions and of course the film industry aside, the simple fact that British Columbians would rather stand behind a negative, lying, sneaky, corrupted and, quite honestly, horrid leader than someone who was positive, never bad mouthed the opposition and was fair in their campaign is absolutely appalling. Apparently the baby boomers aren't ready for "Change" aren't ready for a "different system" and would rather make $5 now and destroy our beautiful province than make $500 down the road, saving our environment, educating our students, and saving our unions. I'm so glad to see that BC Ferry price increase, oil spills, tax increases, job loss, education loss, and high taxes is what this province stands for.

      Today I worked a poling station for over 12 hours for Juan De Fuca candidate John Horgan. I had never met the man in my life but my family has been supporting him in his riding for the past month and a half putting their free time towards his campaign. He won by a land slide, and I was so proud to have been working in his riding, but when I finally got to shake his hand this evening it was past tears I could not choke back. I have so much respect for the man even only having met him once that the tears were no longer for me, but for him and the fight he has fought and will continue to fight for everything that he and I believe in. Also to Bob and Denise Pearson who fought so hard for this campaign I thank you from the absolute bottom of my heart.

      I think that the scariest thing for me right now is that I don't know what tomorrow brings, I don't know what next month or even next year will bring. Will I have to move to be able to support myself in the career path that I have chosen, the art form that I so love and have dreamed to be a part of since my early education, or will I have to let go of all my dreams simply to stay in a province where my family and home is? I am no longer supported by my own government and now I feel I am not even supported by my own province and fellow British Columbians. What harm does the film industry do? None. How much money does it bring into this Province a year? Billions. How many people does it employ? Tens of thousands. Apparently none of that is more important than paying a few hundred people (who are already rich beyond reason) more

      Rudy Haugeneder

      May 14, 2013 at 11:42pm

      Former NDP leader Carole James could have won the election.

      Billy Bones

      May 15, 2013 at 5:59am

      Don't be surprised when HST is reinstated.

      westend joe

      May 15, 2013 at 8:44am

      Four more years. Of Sarah Palin.

      disappointed on Denman

      May 15, 2013 at 9:30am

      No, David Eby could have. He has the personality for it, something Adrian Dix lacks.

      It's all about charisma. Christy Clark has enough of it that she could pull the middle voters. These are the ones who aren't really politically committed to any specific issues but, when they get to the voting booth, think, "Ooh, shiny!" and vote for the most personally appealing candidate - or rather, the most appealing party leader. And Dix just didn't resonate with voters, while Clark was smooth enough to carry the day. She inspires distrust and outright dislike among those who oppose what she stands for and what she is doing and unfortunately will continue to do to our province, but she is, in a perverse way, appealing on a personal level. It's called charisma.

      Many riding candidates are somewhat interchangeable. Just look at what happened in Quebec during the last federal election. All those neophyte NDP candidates didn't end up in parliament because of their stunning personal attributes; they were there because of Jack Layton. And this is why the federal Liberals elected Justin Trudeau as their leader. They know that his name and his charisma will bring them seats, regardless of concerns about policy and inexperience.

      So, please, any of you NDP strategists who can bear to emerge from the covers this morning, next time show us a leader who people like - and not just one who satisfies all the correct party criteria.

      KRYS

      May 15, 2013 at 11:14pm

      Sorry Dix don't deserve to form government when he can't win with so much lead .........another 4 years with dummies. It is not Christy Clark I'm piss off ..........DIX YOU ARE AN IDIOT......

      Larry

      May 16, 2013 at 4:50pm

      The reality is she won. Now let's see where we go from here.