Suppress the vote (miscellany)

War room? We don't need no stinkin' War Room.

Some of the events during the campaign can be better understood through the prism of a voter suppression strategy.

For instance several commentators were very confused by the seemingly inept response of the Conservative "War Room" (CWR). Cases in point: Kady O' Malley, Warren Kinsella and Paul Wells

Both Ms. O' Malley (in the first name link) and Mr. Kinsella were astounded by the lack of reaction to the Liberal platform. By orthodox reasoning, the Conservatives allowed the Liberals to have a free ride through the news cycle. This is a no-no if your aim is to fight over who has the best policies.

In the second link, Ms. O' Malley criticizes the CWR for overreaching in it's attempts to show caucus discontent with Mr. Dion's leadership. Mr. Wells caught the CWR in an amateurish attempt to portray Mr. Dion as flip flopping in his support for the Green Shift. These are examples of the purpose of the CWR. Not to interrupt the news cycle by disputing the opponents statements. Not to convince people to vote for the Conservatives. The CWR was there to sow dismay in the Liberal core support.

This isn't however, a misfired action if your intent is to discourage Liberal supporters from voting by debasing the Liberal leader. They hardly responded at all to Opposition initiatives. When it came to framing Dion as a flip flopper they were on it like a Conservative on stupid.

The point to be taken is that if we go into another campaign like we did this last one, expecting the Conservatives to fight a conventional battle we will lose because they are trying to execute an entirely different battle plan.

If I am correct in pulling at this thread, I must admit to a grudging respect for their audacity in being so wholly committed to the strategy. It took guts. But as Goethe wrote:
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

It is time for the Liberals to take this advice.

"Once is happenstance Twice is coincidence. Three times, it's enemy action".

Goldfinger, said by the character Auric Goldfinger.

If anyone would like a riding other than Kitchener-Waterloo looked over for evidence of the effects of vote suppression, leave the information in the comments.

Quit yer whinin' and do something!

Deb Prothero asked what I would do to counteract this. I have this post to contribute. I would love to hear some other ideas.

I was challenged as to whether or not I would take the chance of bringing down Harper. My answer is yes. We are in a death match with the Conservatives and the NDP with Layton are more than willing to play Saruman to Harper's Sauron.

Further reading
This has been mentioned elsewhere but worth repeating, The Tyee has an excellent breakdown on some of the steps taken to frame Mr. Dion.

Bill Longstaff has a post on the Angus Reid report on how attack ads effected the turn-out.
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