Why Martin Can't Turn Things Around

I apologize I haven't been posting recently. I've been busy with keeping up with the news, organizing my life, and some other projects and when going a week with about 3 hours of sleep a night, posting hasn't been a priority. I'm not quite ready to come back yet, but I thought I'd make an appearance.

People have been asking why Martin couldn't turn around the results in this election despite all the problems with the Conservatives and their radical statements, so I though I'd give my explanation.

Paul Martin is famous for slaying the deficit. Paul Martin, despite his massive tax increases over his years as Prime Minister, made a very public and high-profile tax cut in October 2000 just before the election call. Paul Martin was often (incorrectly) seen as someone who'd almost fit with the Reform Party. Everyone think Paul Martin is a right-winger.

When Paul Martin became leader of the Liberals, we saw a shift in the polls as Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative support fell and the NDP's support rose. What was happening was that right-wing voters from the conservative parties decided they liked Martin while left-wing types in the Liberals decided that Martin was too right-wing and switched to the NDP.

This election, Martin decided to court the left-wing vote with health care promises, a child care program, and investment in wind power amongst other things. He wanted the left-wing vote to compensate for the lost right-wing vote. Unfortunately, the left-wing didn't buy it. They knew Martin was a right-winger. They weren't going to be taken as fools.

However, the right-wingers saw a liar in Martin; someone who espoused left-wing policies just to win. They weren't going to be taken for fools so they joined the real right-wing party.

Hence Martin lost both the right and the left and has only the middle and the die-hard Liberals left.