BC provincial election

[Gabu]

I got an absentee ballot, so I've already voted.

I voted for Ida Chong (Liberal) and I was so undecided on the STV proposition that I literally flipped a coin over it.  I ended up voting no.

[Gabu]

I voted for Ida Chong (Liberal) and I was so undecided on the STV proposition that I literally flipped a coin over it.  I ended up voting no.

Aren't you supposed to put a 1 or 2 next to the Yes and No indicating your first and second preference?

Not unless the proposition had retroactively passed before passing, which would create a few logistical conundrums.

[Gabu]

I ended up voting no.

BOOOO!!!!

Yeah, you suck Gabu!

Hey, blame the coin.

[Gabu]

You shouldn't flip coins to make such crucial decisions.

I've heard way too many conflicting arguments both ways, all of which sounded valid, to make up my mind any other way.  I would probably have been in favor of it if it was strictly preferential voting with no other changes, but the gigantic riding idea coupled with other stuff I didn't particularly like made me much less sure that this was a good idea.

I also say BOO for voting for the Liberals. I've been following the campaign, and it would appear the NDP under Ms. James has taken a sharp turn to the right.  Whereas the Liberals are way out in right field.

Personally, I can't stand Carole James.  From everything that I've seen of her, I have exactly zero confidence that she would make anywhere near a decent premier.  I don't entirely see how her plan would be economically sustainable; her platform seems to be mostly that she plans to spend the excess money that the Liberals have created without any inkling regarding what she's going to do once it's gone.

I feel that BC is in good enough shape, and I simply have not been convinced that we should get rid of Campbell and replace him with James.

[Gabu]

I've been following the campaign, and it would appear the NDP under Ms. James has taken a sharp turn to the right.  Whereas the Liberals are way out in right field.

Which in American political terms means the NDP is only left instead of far left and the Liberals are holding at center-left, correct?
*whistles innocently*

No. The BC "Liberals"are nothing at all like the Federal Liberals, and have no ties with them.
The NDP is only left instead of far left, and the Liberals are right. Or possibly Center Right in American terms.

I wouldn't put them in quote-marks; it's just more that they're liberals in the classical sense of the word, rather than the modern North American sense.

[Gabu]

Last I heard the BC NDP were playing more to the latter in the hope of picking up a load of seats on the Island and in parts of the Interior (in other words the areas struggling economically).

Yeah, they're not exactly making it a secret that they're pro-union.  Whether or not that works as well as they hope remains to be seen, as general opinion in BC of unions is not exactly fabulous, but not completely negative, either.  It's probably a safe stance to take, though; those on the anti-union side are likely already voting Liberal.

[Gabu]

To all of you plus Gabu: you do know I was having some fun with you, right?

The reactions were interesting nonetheless.

Me?  I didn't even respond to your comment.

[Gabu]

But you particpated.

I feel so included.

[Gabu]

I'm listening to CBC Radio One for coverage
http://www.cbc.ca/listen/streams/r1_vancouver_32.html

Are there any other places with audio/video feeds?

I dunno; I'm just periodically refreshing this page watching the results come in.

[Gabu]

Um... a minority is almost impossible!

Liberals 36
NDP 25
18

I would presume that it doesn't add up to 79 because of ridings where nobody is either leading or elected, not because 18 seats have magically vanished off the face of the Earth.

[Gabu]

Yes, I know; that was in reference to what you had said earlier.

PS: Booyah!  The Liberals officially have a majority and Gordon Campbell is the first two-term BC premier since 1983.

PPS: Also, Ida Chong won in my home riding, so w00tage all around.

[Gabu]

No w00tage for you. Gordon Campbell scares me, and should not be rewarded for driving drunk in Hawaii.

Actually, I honestly didn't really care that much when it happened, and his heartfelt speech about it in which he permanently swore off alcohol (a promise which he has kept to this day) actually improved my opinion of him on the whole.

oooh wow. NDP won Cariboo South by one vote!

I would imagine that would likely trigger an automatic recount.