Its in the voters hands

TRURO - Candidates have put their best foot forward and now their fate lies in the hands of the electorate.
Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley residents will find out tonight who will be their new member of Parliament.
While some people remain undecided on who to vote for, others appear to have made up their mind.
"I think so, but I'm not saying," Truro's Mike Stokoe said Sunday afternoon.
What started as a marathon is down to a sprint to the finish for the six candidates, who want to be the first MP in 12 years not named Casey to represent Cumberland and Colchester counties in Ottawa.
The writ for this, and three other byelections across the country, was dropped on Sunday, Oct. 4. While tonight's result will not impact the balance of power in Ottawa, each party has been busy bringing in heavyweights to try to help their candidate garner votes.
During the five-week campaign not one single issue has dominated the cordial campaign.
Opposition parties pounded the governing Conservatives for how Prime Minister Stephen Harper handled former MP Bill Casey and the Atlantic Accord.
Some say the riding is wide open and tonight's results are anybody's guess.
"It's quite a bit different not to have Bill Casey running," Stokoe said, but "the Conservatives have a pretty strong base."
Some pundits will be watching to see what the staunch Conservatives, who followed Casey's bid for re-election in October 2008 as an Independent, will do today.
With Casey out of the picture, will they return to their Conservative roots or will they be so turned off by the past to park their vote elsewhere?
Louise Berthiaume has lived in the Truro area for 27 years after moving here from Quebec.
"What created our country was freedom and social action," Berthiaume said, noting she will be supporting the New Democrat candidate. "I think the NDP has a good social program... The NDP seem to be more connected to the grassroots and we need more of that right now."
Berthiaume hopes the NDP
win, but knows it will be a tough battle with the Conservatives and the Liberals.
She said the Liberals have a very intelligent federal leader but he needs to be more "charismatic" with what she described as the "Obama touch."
Many in the riding will be watching to see if the New Democrats' breakthrough provincially will have any impact on the federal riding.
Some people in downtown Truro yesterday said they had traditionally voted Liberal or Conservative but have decided to vote for change and will be supporting the NDP this time.

jmalloy@trurodaily.com

Gortex: - March 1st, 2010 at 14:40:06

I'll keep my personal political leanings to myself here, but I wish to urge my fellow citizens to take advantage of their right to participate in the democratic process. Get out and vote today, regardless of whom you support!

If you don't like any of the candidates, spoil your ballot to show the politicians that none of the above is your choice - staying at home on voting day simply shows them that you're an indifferent sheep willing to be led by whomever.

I wish The Daily News could've reminded us of what our rights are when it comes to voting day under the Elections Act. Like how your boss MUST allow you adaquate time to vote. Or what kinds of identification you need to prove you're a resident.

Be citizens today, folks! It only takes 5 minutes, and you get to feel smug all day long!

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Bob: - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:59

Mr Harper had several months to try and mend the fences in our riding, he didn`t. Both the Liberal & NDP leaders thought we were important enough to at least pay a visit to support their candidate. Mr Armstrong may well be a great candidate but I seriously doubt he`d make any more difference in Ottawa than any other of the candidates while Mr Harper is running the show.

Garth: - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:56

I would remind commentators it is traditional that Prime Ministers not canvass in a by-election.

Senior Ministers, Gail Shea and John Baird did.

Armstrong will be the winner with the Grits and NDP fighting it out for 2nd place.

Wendall: - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:52

Pork barrel politics would suggest voting for the conservative candidate in the by- election. None of the other candidates will get their own leader's ear let alone Harper's. So, until the general election is held...NO TORY NO MONEY....sorry to say....

Smcg: - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:42

Unfortunately, Armstrong will be the winner and become another yes man for Harper.

Anne: - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:41

We should have been told somehow that in the election you needed ID even if they knew who you were. It could have been printed on the cards we took to the Poll. I always thought ID was to prove you are who you say you are. If the polling Clerk or DRO already know you, why ask for ID? If it doesn't need to be recorded anywhere, it is a waste of time, if they already know you!!!