Come January, I intend to re-jig my first ballot projection formula I used during the last Liberal leadership race. One of the indicators I'd been thinking about using was
facebook support but, as you'll soon see, this leadership race has become a bit of a
facebook monster, with groups sprawling out of control. Here's quick summary:
Michael IgnatieffNot only is Iggy the perceived front runner in the race, he's the front runner in facebook support! Want to show your support for Michael? Well, you could join "I support Michael
Ignatieff and I'm telling my friends". Too shy/
embarrassed and don't want to tell your friends? Well, then, there's the official "Michael
Ignatieff - Liberal Leadership" (958 members), which is linked to from his website, or the rogue "Michael
Ignatieff Campaign", "Support Michael
Ignatieff" groups, and TWO "Michael
Ignatieff for Prime Minister" groups.
Not part of Iggy Nation (which is, of course, a group in and of itself)? Well then, you have "get Michael
Ignatieff and God out of my living room" or the much more direct "Michael
Ignatieff is the worst person ever" and "Michael
Ignatieff sucks". Needless to say, most of the provinces have their own Iggy pages, although I should probably not call them "Iggy pages" or the "Iggy is Iginla, NOT Ignatieff" group will be up and arms.
Dominic LeBlancThere's the central "Dominic
LeBlanc for Liberal leadership" group, with 646 members and provincial groups for Albertans,
Manitobans,
Saskatchewanians, Ontarians, New
Brunswickers, and Nova
Scotians. British Columbia appears to be a distinct society, bucking the trend with "Dominic
LeBlanc's BC
facebook page". Perhaps the "
saksatchewanians" should consider that wording...
Bob RaeIn addition to the "I Support Bob Rae and I'm Telling my Friends" (581) and the various "Bob Rae for Liberal Leadership" Groups, the Rae campaign is going riding by riding - they even have
snazy logos for each of the individual groups. Given that most of these groups only have 1 or 2 members, I suspect there might be better ways for the Rae supporter(s) to communicate with each other (
themselves) at the local riding level.
There are also duelling "Canadians FOR Bob Rae" and "Canadians AGAINST Bob Rae" groups.
William ShatnerRightfully so, the "William
Shatner for Governor General" group, appears to be far more organized than any of the leadership campaigns to date - and with close to 800 members, it clearly has the momentum at this point.

Labels: Bob Rae, Dominic LeBlanc, Michael Ignatieff, William Shatner