A Canadian view on the US election

[Ember]

I've been following some of the feedback after Tuesday's election here on the boards and in the news. I just wanted to comment on how amazing it was as a Canadian to watch the US elections.

We recently had a federal election here. No, really, just a few weeks ago. Oh, you hadn't noticed, eh? That's alright, a lot of us didn't notice either.... We had the lowest voter turnout in our history. The whole thing was staged in a matter of weeks and, really, everything stayed exactly the same.

But the US election was amazing. People were so passionate and not afraid to show their passion. Youth became involved and on the 4th the eyes of the world were turned to watch history being made, no matter who was voted in. It was truly inspiring. I watched McCain's concession speech, it brought tears to my eyes. Then I watched Obama's speech and was left breathless. As someone looking in from the outside, I sit in awe of the fire the burns in your citizens to be a part of their country's future.

Canada could learn a thing or two in this area.

 

[BellvilleDad]

Thanks for the kind words.

I'll admit, I know nothing about Canadian politics. Shame on me.

 

[DawnCt1]

That was a very nice thing to say. One thing about Americans, we tend to be passionate. Our voter turn out isn't what it could be but on the other hand, if people don't care, if they don't pay attention to the issues and the candidates, I am happy for them to stay home anyway.

 

[binny]

Thanks for the kind words.

I'll admit, I know nothing about Canadian politics. Shame on me.

Thats ok. I was raised there and married a Canadian and I still dont know a lot about Canadian politics. I think that is actually pretty common in Canada. Its just a different system than the US. I dont mean any disrespect, I just know from my family there and the years I lived there that it just doesnt carry the impact that it does here.

 

[pigletto]

I think the entire point of our election was to call it and have it slip by so fast that nothing changed.
It really was pathetic.. hardly anybody knew what the heck was going on.
I did vote.. but I had to search for info pretty hard to make any kind of informed choice.
Can you imagine any other country in the world going from announcing an election to holding it in less than 6 weeks?
I agree with the OP.. I was just in awe of your passion and process this election. Good job Americans.. no matter who you voted for.. you cared.

 

[Tikitoi]

I like hearing the views from other Countries. So eh, Thanks.

 

[Charade]

I've been following some of the feedback after Tuesday's election here on the boards and in the news. I just wanted to comment on how amazing it was as a Canadian to watch the US elections.

We recently had a federal election here. No, really, just a few weeks ago. Oh, you hadn't noticed, eh? That's alright, a lot of us didn't notice either.... We had the lowest voter turnout in our history. The whole thing was staged in a matter of weeks and, really, everything stayed exactly the same.

But the US election was amazing. People were so passionate and not afraid to show their passion. Youth became involved and on the 4th the eyes of the world were turned to watch history being made, no matter who was voted in. It was truly inspiring. I watched McCain's concession speech, it brought tears to my eyes. Then I watched Obama's speech and was left breathless. As someone looking in from the outside, I sit in awe of the fire the burns in your citizens to be a part of their country's future.

Canada could learn a thing or two in this area.

We did! But to be honest, we were in Canada on vacation and saw it on the news and the road side signs.

And thank you.

 

[Scornelius]

I think in some ways our electoral process is shameful. I HATE that the PM can rush an election through the way Harper just did. I do like that we can change PMs mid-term with a vote of non-confidence, but the idea of strategical elections burns my buttons. I truly feel that it diminishes the importance of our vote.

I suppose the only benefit is that our guys can't spend 2 years and kajillions of dollars campaigning.

 

[Chicago526]

I suppose the only benefit is that our guys can't spend 2 years and kajillions of dollars campaigning.

The two years part is the fault of the primaries. They start in January of the election year, so those running need to start campaigning and fund raising a year before hand. The first two contests (Iowa Caucus, New Hampshire Primary) are critical to place in the top three to have any hope of making it to the rest of the primaries, so a lot of effort goes in to it early. You can't just show up in those states in December and have a few campaign rallies.

Usually, you get a bit of a lull between April and July, by April there is usually a presumptive nominee for each party, and while they dont' stop campaigning, it's scaled back a bit over the spring and summer, before ramping up again before the fall conventions. This year, the Reps got a break because McCain had it locked relatively early, but Clinton and Obama fought to the very last primary, which is very unusual. It wasn't official for the Dems until June, so there wasn't much of a summer break for them.

 

[Aisling]

Wow, thank you for your view.
I was afraid the world would see us Americans as passionate fools at each others throats shouting on rooftops the virtues of our chosen candidates.

But then watching Sen. McCain's concession speech and Pres-Elect Obama's acceptance speech, it was a proud moment for us Americans. No matter how vicious we may seem at election time, it's only because we all really love our country.

I'm going to make it my business to learn more about the Canadian elections, since you're our good neighbors!

 

[DisFlan]

What? Canadians don't think Steven Harper is exciting?

 

[lisalonglash]

What? Canadians don't think Steven Harper is exciting?

Bahahahahaha! Honestly, I think that is a big part of why there's been more voter apathy and less interest in our elections - we do NOT have a candidate that has the charisma and passion of the US candidates There have been a few PMs that have inspired voter excitement, but they have been few and far between. IMO, the last PM with that "something special" was Trudeau.

On another thread, some of the responses from Americans such as "we don't care what Canadians think" have opened my eyes to negativity that I really didn't know was there. This thread and the considered responses have done the opposite

We watched the election coverage on Tuesday evening. We crossed our fingers and hoped the number would rise (and it certainly did!), we watched McCain's concession speech and thought he was a class act, we watched Obama's acceptance speech and thought his charisma and passion was in the same league as JFK or MLK and we thought both speechwriters (but especially Obama's) deserved a big fat bonus for those speeches - well done! It was exciting to watch and somehow we felt a little proud of the result (not that we had anything at all to do with it lol).

We need a candidate who knows how to energize a crowd, how to inspire the citizenry and how to be more animated than Harper Perhaps someday we'll again get a politician who can do that...

 

[ZephyrHawk]

We recently had a federal election here. No, really, just a few weeks ago. Oh, you hadn't noticed, eh? That's alright, a lot of us didn't notice either.... We had the lowest voter turnout in our history. The whole thing was staged in a matter of weeks and, really, everything stayed exactly the same.

We here in SE Michigan (i.e. might as well be Ontario) noticed.

I seem to remember there was a very contentious Canadian election back in 2004, wasn't there. Some elections are just more exciting than others.

It's good to know our Canadian cousins are looking out for us. I hope you approve of our decision.

 

[lisalonglash]

I think in some ways our electoral process is shameful. I HATE that the PM can rush an election through the way Harper just did. I do like that we can change PMs mid-term with a vote of non-confidence, but the idea of strategical elections burns my buttons. I truly feel that it diminishes the importance of our vote.

I suppose the only benefit is that our guys can't spend 2 years and kajillions of dollars campaigning.

I agree! Harper's ridiculous waste of taxpayer money to run an election and the collaterial waste (no parliament working, etc.) also "burns my buttons". This last election was unnecessary and the resulting voter apathy was understandable. After all, why vote in an election that was called for no reason? For the record, we did vote. However, we resented voting this time - and that's a first for us! Westerners usually feel like our vote doesn't really count and that the decision is made before the first votes are even counted in BC, but this time, I'm sure our votes didn't count

 

[MelanieC]

I didn't realize so many outside our country cared or watched. I found out differently yesterday. We had people from Europe visiting our company and several of my business contacts in London congratulated and commented how exciting of a time it was. So the world was definately watching.

 

[DisFlan]

Bahahahahaha! Honestly, I think that is a big part of why there's been more voter apathy and less interest in our elections - we do NOT have a candidate that has the charisma and passion of the US candidates There have been a few PMs that have inspired voter excitement, but they have been few and far between. IMO, the last PM with that "something special" was Trudeau.

On another thread, some of the responses from Americans such as "we don't care what Canadians think" have opened my eyes to negativity that I really didn't know was there. This thread and the considered responses have done the opposite

We watched the election coverage on Tuesday evening. We crossed our fingers and hoped the number would rise (and it certainly did!), we watched McCain's concession speech and thought he was a class act, we watched Obama's acceptance speech and thought his charisma and passion was in the same league as JFK or MLK and we thought both speechwriters (but especially Obama's) deserved a big fat bonus for those speeches - well done! It was exciting to watch and somehow we felt a little proud of the result (not that we had anything at all to do with it lol).

We need a candidate who knows how to energize a crowd, how to inspire the citizenry and how to be more animated than Harper Perhaps someday we'll again get a politician who can do that...

I have friends in Montreal, and I've been following Canadian politics since the 90's and the Quebec separation vote. That last one WAS exciting. And I have to think there's someone in Canada's future who will be as charismatic as Trudeau. Eventually. The U.S. waited a long time for candidates who are as interesting as this year's.

DisFlan

 

[pigletto]

I didn't realize so many outside our country cared or watched. I found out differently yesterday. We had people from Europe visiting our company and several of my business contacts in London congratulated and commented how exciting of a time it was. So the world was definately watching.

Not only do we care and were we watching but we are EXCITED. There's something about Obama that inspires hope the world over. I believe your new president will prove to be an exceptional leader and will make history.
There's just something about him that is so inspiring. He talks.. and I want to listen.
I guess I have a more global view than some.. but we are one world. And I am just thrilled for your country.
We are in a border town.. but all the teachers and parents were buzzing about it in the playground before school yesterday. Barack Obama will be important to America.. but beyond that, I think he will be important to the World.

 

[christiane]

I think that in Canada there aren't as many polarizing issues. Many social ideals in Canada are sacrosanct like health care, abortion rights, gay marriage, environmental protection, gun control etc. Even the taxation system doesn't get people too uptight! Some, but not too much!

So the political parties have to work hard to differentiate themselves. The differences between the right & left in Canada is not as distinct as in the US.

And in the US, you know what is going to happen every 4 years. In Canada, they spring on election on you whenever they feel like it (or so it seems!)

 

[michellev]

I have friends in Montreal, and I've been following Canadian politics since the 90's and the Quebec separation vote. That last one WAS exciting. And I have to think there's someone in Canada's future who will be as charismatic as Trudeau. Eventually. The U.S. waited a long time for candidates who are as interesting as this year's.

DisFlan

There will be. Justin Trudeau was just elected for the first time in Quebec. He is a fabulous public speaker and has his dad's charisma (IMO). Look for him to ignite Canadian polictics in a few years!

 

[lisalonglash]

I have friends in Montreal, and I've been following Canadian politics since the 90's and the Quebec separation vote. That last one WAS exciting. And I have to think there's someone in Canada's future who will be as charismatic as Trudeau. Eventually. The U.S. waited a long time for candidates who are as interesting as this year's.

DisFlan

We did watch the coverage on the evening of the referendum vote in 1995, but it wasn't as personal as watching a federal election because only Quebecois were allowed to vote kwim? To be honest, Quebec's ongoing separatism campaigns, both non and oui, don't really hold the interest of a majority of Canadians - the rhetoric is the same it always was and the sheer length of time this issue has persisted has simply worn out the interest of Canadians outside Quebec IMO Heck, even my father-in-law (a francophone who was born and raised in Montreal) was tired of it and was of the opinion that Quebec should "either separate and be done with it, or shut up about it" LOL

I hope we someday have another charismatic candidate for PM that can energize Canadian voters - now THAT would be great!