Thursday, August 14, 2008

V is for Victory

Back in May, I posted about the Liberal Party's Victory Fund and invited readers to suggest what riding I should donate to. Danielle Takacs wrote up a post in support of Brant, Saskatoon-Humboldt sent me a top ten list, and I got compelling e-mails in support of Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, Fredericton, Burlington and a host of others.

So when I noticed the Skyline BBQ for Victory Fund members coming up on Centre Island in Toronto next week, I figured it was time to stop dithering and just make a choice. With the Democrats competitive in states like Virginia, Montana, and Indiana (and Texas?), it seems obvious to me that Dean's 50 state strategy is paying dividends. In Canada, the Conservatives won in 1984 and 2006 when they realized they couldn't write off 75 seats in Quebec every election. Yet, the Liberals gladly write off that many in Western Canada, a region whose political importance keeps growing.

So, between that, and the fact that it's the friggin' Calgary Grit blog, I felt I should pick a Calgary riding. And, as luck would have it, the riding that received the most votes for my donation just happened to be Calgary West. The 5$ a month is a small price to pay for the satisfaction in knowing you're doing something to help defeat Rob Anders so that's where half my direct deposit will be going.

Labels: ,

posted by calgarygrit at 6:15 p.m.

8 Comments:

  • As the LPC outreach officer for the Victory Fund, let me be the first to congratulate you on your choice and thank you for your contribution. Calgary West is an excellent choice.

    Look forward to seeing you at the barbeque next week.

    By Blogger Steve Marsh, at 9:37 a.m.  

  • even the PC's couldn't get rid of Anders

    good luck with that, Ha!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 9:46 a.m.  

  • "The Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge–Mission federal Liberals have lost yet another candidate,"

    Forget about donations, this riding needs a candidate. The Liberals have lost four in four years. Throw your hat in the ring.

    By Blogger nuna d. above, at 12:17 p.m.  

  • That BC riding hasn't been Liberal in 50 years. I wouldn't worry too much about losing a candidate there.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:29 p.m.  

  • CG,

    I would just like to point out that your "and Texas?" comment reflects a historically inaccurate view of Texas as a Republican stronghold, whereas Virginia and Indiana actually are long-standing GOP strongholds.

    Virginia and Indiana have not gone Democrat since 1964, and indeed it hasn't been close there since then.

    Texas last went Democrat in 1976, and was also won by Hubert Humphrey in 1968. In each other instance, like Virginia and Indiana it went Republican. However, you have to remember that in 4 of those elections, a Texas was the Republican nominee (and in 80 and '84 the VP candidate) and in 4 elections (including 1988 with a Texan nominee) the election was a general Republican sweep.

    Bush Sr. won the 1988 election by 8 points and won Texas by 12.5. Reagan (in '84) won Texas by 27.5 points, while winning the general by 18. Reagan (in '80) won Texas by 14 points, winning the general by 9. Additionally, Clinton twice came within a few points of winning Texas.

    Texas is a relatively conservative state, but historically has only deviated from the national average by a bit. Texas is about 36% Hispanic (which confusingly overlaps white), and 12% black - it is ethnically diverse. That Obama is not even remotely competitive in Texas reflects the degree to which he deviates from the New Deal coalition that Democrats won with historically.

    By Blogger french wedding cat, at 1:26 p.m.  

  • And Santos won Texas in the West Wing election...

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 2:56 p.m.  

  • And in yet another near parallel with the West Wing..

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:37 a.m.  

  • "Skyline BBQ" sounds a lot like "Sky's the limit".

    You may want to be careful with that....

    By Blogger Möbius, at 3:04 p.m.  

Post a Comment

<< Home