Darren Barefoot is gathering the clans for drinks on election night, Jan. 23:
Last week, I suggested that we have a little get-together to watch the election. After careful consideration, we’re going to meet at the Library Square Public House. Here are the details:
Library Square Public House
300 West Georgia St.
7:30pm onwards
Given the success of “Blogs ‘n’ Dogs”, can I dub this the “Vote ‘n’ Vomit”?
No, I don’t think you’re off base at all. I was appalled at the Strategic Counsel methodology in the BC election polling, and I’d be very interested in knowing just what kind of pump-priming, if any, is going on in SC’s latest round.
Unfortunately will be in the 416 area code that night……
Hey Rob, watching the polls I’ve got to wonder if Mr. Gregg is up to something reminiscent of what happened out here last May.
You’ve (rightly)smacked me down on wild poll speculation before. Do you think I’m way off base with this one?
Regardless the actual methodology, what I found most egregious was that ‘Big Mo’ stuff a couple of weeks ago that dominated the front page of the Globe.
After that the ‘Aura of Inevitability’ really got rolling and it has not ceased since.
Thus, I view it as taking a very ‘soft’ issue (at that time the actual voter intention numbers, even in the Strat Counsel’s own poll, were still very close)and making a big deal out of it to shape public opinion – not directly, but instead by getting the ‘pack de journo’ to put on the blinders start pulling the electorate to the right.
.
See also Paul Wells today: “Hands up… Who at the Globe thinks they’ve played their polls responsibly or intelligently this week? Anyone? Anyone? Yeah, I didn’t think so.”
Responsibly?
This is is something akin to anti-responsiblity to the millionth power.
Which is not to say that it wasn’t intelligently designed to help generate a certain outcome.
While a few drinks after the fact is a fine tradition, some folks in those ridings with a dog’s breakfast on the ballot can be thankful for modern liquor laws allowing sales before the polls close. Anyone living in Vancouver Centre can be excused if they feel the need to vomit (or have a stiff drink, or both; it’s not an exclusive-or thing) before voting. Yes, I’ll be popping in for drinks; how many is an open question.