[Newsbot]

Title: Layton pulls ahead of Harper in leadership score
Category: Political
Posted By: Hyack
Date: 2011-04-28 18:48:32
Canadian

[Arctic_Menace]

Wow, either Canada has learned to love the colour orange, or they really hate the colour red.

[SteveK]

You know what's funny? Before this NDP surge, I heard more commending and complimenting of Layton from Cons than even NDP supporters themselves. Now that the NDP has posed a threat to them, you can actually see some Cons championing Iggy and his campaign!

If we buy into this as left-wing voters, we must be suckers to not see that all of this is just an attempt to split the left vote. Hopefully people can keep this in mind when voting in their ridings.

[Bouboumaster]

Let's go NPD!

[Freakinoldguy]

I guess if elections we're popularity poll's Jackie might finally become PM, but, since they aren't he's gonna have to be satisfied with beating out Count Dracula and the party of the damned for official opposition and leave the running of the country to the professionals.

[2Cdo]

I think his "support" is more sympathy based due to his medical problems the last year or so. I still don't see him leading this country.

[dino_bobba_renno]

You could have a monkey covered in shit and flees and he would probably be further ahead of Harper when it comes to PR and popularity. I don't think Harper is that bad of a guy, I don't know why he insists on continuing this stupid grudge match with the media.

[DrCaleb]

2Cdo 2Cdo:

I think his "support" is more sympathy based due to his medical problems the last year or so. I still don't see him leading this country.

I always thought David Orchard would lead the Conservatives too. Still wouldn't hurt to have Layton as opposition leader for a couple years to see what he's made of.

[DeBoom]

It was a a one day spike(PDF). Like most polls its only a snapshot and is almost worthless when looked at by it self. If you want to take something away from the polls look at the trends. The real story here is the growth of NDP support at the cost of the Grits and the Bloc. For those hoping a NDP surge will topple the Conservatives they maybe disappointed. The Conservative`s numbers have barely moved in months. Short of something major happening in the next couple of days the Conservatives will win. Polls also don`t take into account other important factors such as organization on the ground, motivation of supporters which affects voter turnout, something that conventional wisdom says the Conservatives are the best at. These polls have sample sizes too small to determine support at the riding level. I think Harper might be able to win a majority if he can get out his base and the NDP`s rise splits the vote enough.

I also find it interesting that even when the total score had Layton winning on leadership Harper was still winning the Competence question. (PDF)