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CeeJay's avatar

This is an excellent summary. I am a swing voter. More Progressive Conservative, though, so I weigh my options with the CPC.

In terms of the key issues you listed (housing, pipelines, crime, economy), the CPC platform spoke to me. But Pollievre and team did a horrific job communicating. I signed up for their emails, and left, tired of the endless "Axe the Tax" and similar simplistic repetitious slogans. Plus, I really hate being called a "patriot." It feels un-Canadian (or overly-American).

Slogans are okay...just temper them. Use your words. Tell me what you're going to do about it, and convince me your plan is right. Don't tell me how bad my life is all the time. If it doesn't resonate with my reality, you've lost me and my vote.

Stick to fiscal policies, drop the identity politics. At every stage, Pierre's rage against the media, defunding the CBC, anti-woke messaging just pushed him closer to Trump. Sure it wasn't a big part of the campaign, but it was enough. Drop it for now, and focus on the big things that need to be fixed. That will get you a bigger tent.

Allow more nuance. If everything is black and white, my reaction to your message will be binary as well. The Liberals didn't totally cause the economic uncertainty, and oddly enough it seems Trump may be following their game (driving dollar down, making exports more attractive). Don't tell me why their plan is bad, tell me why yours is better and how it will work.

I believe Carney is a one-term politician. He's here to guide us through the Trump years. Likely will get a lot of blowback for his handling - good or bad. In my ideal world, the CPC supports the good policies the Liberals come out with, and keep a close eye on any tomfoolery. Come out looking like leaders, ready to take Canada to the next level.

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L A Green's avatar

The last paragraph of this piece is spot-on advice, but I have to say that I am not at all confident that Poilievre will, or even can, take it. He's so good at vamping for the mobs on social media because he gives off more than a small aroma of authoritarianism, and it's populist authoritarianism that appeals to that base. (It's also why I, as a Burkean conservative, wouldn't ever support him.) The problem is that authoritarianism is a deeply wired personality trait. I just don't think he's the person who can broaden his appeal to bring on board conservatives and moderates who are leery of authoritarianism.

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