Food for thought! Happy New year!

This article hits the nail on the head. As liberal i am hope my fellow liberals pass this on to the brass.

Sunday, December 28, 2008



Federal pols completely out of touch
Last Updated: 28th December 2008,



What are these? Could Parliament be any more disconnected from the day-to-day lives of ordinary citizens than it is right now?

Will weary Canadians be treated to the same partisan goon show when the House of Commons reconvenes a month from now?

Most of all, do politicians and their spin doctors, holed up in fat city in Ottawa, even understand, much less care, about the mood of the country?

If, as leaders and MPs from all parties tell us, these are unprecedented times of economic upheaval, why are they still acting like partisan hacks, as if nothing has changed?

Do any of the political plotters involved in this increasingly meaningless dance realize the public has stopped listening?

That people worried about their jobs, pensions, life savings and hopes for their children's future, really don't care if Stephen Harper, Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton or Gilles Duceppe has the best 10-second sound byte on the nightly news?

Most Canadians (at least the fewer than six in 10 who still vote) see themselves as falling somewhere within the mainstream of the Conservative and Liberal parties.

That's where they want the government's response to address the ongoing recession to come from.

They don't want Harper and the Conservatives ruling as if they have a majority -- because they don't.

They don't want the Liberals and NDP, backed by Quebec separatists, defeating the government and installing an untested, rookie, Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff, as prime minister, presiding over an unstable coalition government.

Finally, they don't want to waste more time and another $300 million on a fourth election in less than five years, little more than three months after the last one.

They want Harper and Ignatieff to agree on an approach to addressing the recession that both their parties can support and then get on with it.

This isn't rocket science, since the outlines of such a political deal are known -- such things as going into deficit to pay for more infrastructure spending, worker retraining, improvements to Employment Insurance, getting credit flowing again.

One sign of the disconnect between politicians and the public is that while there's support or grudging acceptance among the political classes for the $4 billion Ottawa/Ontario loan package recently committed to the auto sector, Canadians are deeply divided on the wisdom of such a move.

We believe broad-based tax cuts -- letting people keep more of their own money to spend on their priorities, rather than having the government take it away to spend on its priorities -- should be a substantial part of any stimulus package.

When the House of Commons reconvenes next month, we'll see whether its 308 politicians still believe they know what's better for the public than the public does.

Sadly, the way they've all behaved up to now, it appears they still think that, indicating an arrogance almost beyond measure.

Merry Xmas

Merry X Mas you all!

My only comment is hey a sentor should you live in that province. Not just have land there. But that would be reform.. and that would be not good. It is strange that the PM is are form. But when it comes to reform he does not want to it when he is the guy in power.



PM appoints Wallin to vacant Senate seat

Former Wadena resident honoured

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix, Murray Mandryk, Saskatchewan News Network filesDecember 23, 2008 9:01 AMBe the first to post a comment

A former Saskatchewan resident appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper says she's thrilled and honoured to be offered the job.

Wadena-raised Pamela Wallin, a former journalist and Consul General of Canada in New York, was one of 18 Canadians named to the post by Harper on Monday, bringing the total number of Conservative senators in Ottawa to 38.

Speaking from her parents' home in Wadena, Wallin said she's ready to bring Saskatchewan issues into the national spotlight.

"I'm honoured. I'm just absolutely fundamentally honoured to be able to do this and represent a place and a people that I love," Wallin said.

Harper called 10 days ago with the offer, she said.

This is not the first time the prime minister has appointed Wallin -- a recipient of the Order of Canada -- to a government role. In 2007, Harper asked her to sit on the special Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan, which she accepted.

Now that the Senate appointments have been announced, Wallin said both she and the prime minister see eye-to-eye on Senate reform -- a movement to make the Senate more democratic and accountable.

"He's very frank and he is a big believer in Senate reform, as am I," Wallin said of Harper.

"I covered this as an issue for many years of my life and I do think that the role of the Senate is important but I do think it needs to be reformed.

"He wanted to, I think, reassure himself that those were my values and that I cared about that. I said I did, and I mean that."

In addition to speaking up for Saskatchewan and moving forward with Senate reform, Wallin said she will focus her energy on economic issues.

Under prime minister Jean Chretien, Wallin was appointed to the four-year consul general term. The newly appointed senator, who has been working as a consultant to a Rockefeller think-tank on Canada-US relations, says the economy and trade with the United States should remain a top government issue.

Wallin is unsure if she'll have to resign from her consulting job.

"I certainly won't stop being involved in discussions around that issue," she said. "In a country where 87 per cent of our trade is with the Americans, we have to understand their politics and their economics as well as we understand our own."

Wallin, who lives in Toronto, said her new post won't require her to step down from the numerous boards she sits on, which include CTVglobemedia, Oilsands Quest and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Time constraints, however, may cause her to adjust some of her board roles.

Justice Minister Don Morgan said he believes most Saskatchewan people will be delighted by Pamela Wallin's appointment, although he acknowledged it might be a temporary step backward in the Senate election process.

"I wouldn't use the term disappointed (at not electing the next Saskatchewan senator)," Morgan said in an telephone interview. "We want to go ahead with it, although today might be a step back."

Morgan noted Wallin has already said she would be willing to step down to accommodate a Saskatchewan Senate election race and sees no reason why she would go back on that commitment.

Morgan said his government intends to proceed with the Senate election legislation he introduced in the fall sitting and added he believes it could timed with the 2011 provincial election. If so, Wallin could run as the incumbent senator -- something Morgan anticipates that she will do.

Morgan praised Wallin's ability to communicate and added a lot of people don't realize the superior job she did as counsel general in New York or the importance of the role.

Opposition leader Lorne Calvert also praised Wallin for her good work in New York and added Saskatchewan people have "bona fide pride in Pamela Wallin's career."

However, Calvert said there is some disappointment some of the appointments, including Nancy Greene and Mike Duffy, who have reputations as politically independent people, would accept appointments in a round of Senate appointments that will be seen as tainted with politics.

"The credibility of the Senate takes a hit," Calvert said. The NDP leader also had harsh words for Harper for not maintaining his principles by allowing elections to take place.

Calvert added Harper and Premier Brad Wall will have a hard time explaining the rationale of these appointments.

But Morgan argued Saskatchewan voters will embrace Wallin's appointment and said Harper deserves credit for appointing non-partisan people, something he has also done in some of his Court of Queen's Bench appointments in the province.

Meanwhile, Wallin said she hopes Saskatchewan's growing economic role will lead to greater inclusion in national decisions.

"I think that the reality of our economics and our resource base and all of those things speak for themselves, but we also need to be part of the discussions that go on about how national problems are solved and dealt with," she said.

Updates and wild things on cool wednesday

TheStar.com | Canada | Ignatieff takes the prize

Ignatieff takes the prize


Hebert: Liberals co-operate Bitterness in Rae's camp Ignatieff takes the crown Long time coming for Ignatieff Dion's muted exit 46 MPs backing Ignatieff Travers: Liberals haven't learned Text of Rae email Text of Ignatieff email Ignatieff wouldn't boost coalition much: poll Ignatieff vows new course Bitterness lingers for Rae's loyalists
He realized that he just couldn't win.Path clear to assume Liberal leadership as early as today after rival bows out

Dec 10, 2008 11:10 AM
Comments on this story (68)
Bruce Campion-Smith
Tonda MacCharles
Joanna Smith
Ottawa Bureau


OTTAWA–Michael Ignatieff has seized his long-sought prize – the Liberal leadership – raising fresh questions about the future of the opposition coalition that has vowed to defeat the minority Conservatives next month.

The fate of the coalition will be among the pressing issues facing Ignatieff as he prepares to take over the leadership of a party battered by cash woes, two lost elections and dismal poll numbers.

Heading into the caucus meeting expected to officially name Ignatieff as leader Wednesday morning, Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla said she feels relieved the "bitter" leadership contest is finally over.

As with her new leader, she left room for backing down on the coalition if the Tories propose a budget they could accept.

"I think Mr. Ignatieff said it best: a coalition if necessary but not necessarily a coalition," she said.

Liberal MP Scott Brison delivered a similar message when he used the past tense in saying "the coalition was effective" at forcing Harper "back to the drawing table."

Brison said it is clear Canadians want an alternative to Harper, but that alternative could be something other than a coalition.

"It’s up to Canadians to tell us what they want," he said.
He said the alternative could be "a strong Liberal party with a permanent leader in place."

LeBlanc said the Liberals should accept Harper’s invitation to give their input on the budget but also said Harper would be difficult to trust.

Late yesterday, Ignatieff paid tribute to the two candidates who had pulled out of the race and hailed the party for responding "quickly to changing circumstances to offer stability and leadership to Canadians."

The 61-year-old Liberal MP for Etobicoke—Lakeshore was assured of the leadership yesterday after Bob Rae – the last rival candidate in the race – dropped out, conceding he didn't have enough support to win in the party's stripped-down contest that left little time to sign up new backers.

Ignatieff, a runner-up in the 2006 contest that saw Stéphane Dion elected party leader, could take over as interim leader as early as today. That's when Liberal MPs and senators meet behind closed doors and are expected to make their own recommendation that Ignatieff serve as interim leader.

At the same time, the party executive were planning to conduct a hurried "consultation" with riding association presidents and various ex-officio members to solicit their confirmation of Ignatieff. He won't be ratified as full-time leader until the party's convention in May in Vancouver.

Last night, the party announced that consultations would be completed by 1 p.m. today, clearing the way for the national executive to announce Ignatieff as the interim leader by 2 p.m.

The Liberals are in a rush to have a new leader in place by the end of January, when a key budget vote could see the minority Conservatives defeated, sparking a new election or paving the way for a Liberal-led coalition to take power.

Ignatieff, 61, who launched his leadership bid by promising to "outwit and outthink" the Conservative government, faces a key decision over the coming weeks whether to remain in the coalition with the NDP and defeat the government.

New Democrat MPs and some in the Liberal ranks, including Rae, have been adamant that Harper's Conservatives must be toppled no matter what is in the Jan. 27 budget. But Ignatieff has been lukewarm to the idea of a coalition, and has suggested he would prefer to see the budget before acting.

On Sunday, he said "coalition if necessary but not necessarily coalition."

"I think it's very important for Canadians to have the coalition option so that if Mr. Harper presents a budget which is not in the national interest we can present to Canadians a coalition alternative to spare us a national election," he told CTV's Question Period.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper tried to fracture the coalition by extending an olive branch to the Liberals, saying he's hoping the new leader will "be willing to sit down with me" and talk about the economy.

"I'm optimistic that the next leader of the opposition may want to look at different kinds of arrangements in the best interests of the country," Harper said in an interview with CBC News.

"It's in the interests of the government to find a consensus, certainly among the federalist parties ... to find things we can agree on in the short-term to make sure we do whatever we can to help the economy, to keep people working."

Rae, 60, suggested Ignatieff's commitment to the coalition, which would be supported by the Bloc Québécois, as a real option should not be "underestimated."

"He recognizes that Canadians and everybody have to get more comfortable with this idea, which is obvious," Rae said.

Ignatieff's selection as leader is sure to add new spark to the Commons debates. For the past two years, as deputy leader, he was often the Liberal to whom Harper responded more succinctly and effectively than he did to Dion.

Ignatieff will have to act fast to define himself with voters, rather than letting the Conservatives, with their fat war chest, hit the airwaves to paint him in an unflattering light, as they did with Dion.

"We should anticipate that they will do it again or worse," said Liberal MP David McGuinty (Ottawa South).

But Ignatieff hopes to counter that with an "outreach, an engagement process," McGuinty said.

As well, Ignatieff had also promised a policy convention soon after taking the leadership but McGuinty is urging him to hold a series of eight or 10 meetings across the country to tap into local concerns.

Ignatieff is expected to hold a news conference today.

He, Rae and New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc arrived together for a Christmas party for Liberal MPs and senators last night in the Centre Block on Parliament Hill.

"Very Christmassy," Rae said when the three former rivals were asked how they were feeling.

MP Judy Sgro (York West) said the party would be a celebration after the last hectic two weeks.

"It's a huge relief," she said of being able to choose the new leader.

Anthony Rota (Nipissing—Timiskaming) said the choice of Ignatieff has excited MPs and, it's hoped, signals a period of stability for a party that has had five leaders in five years.

"We've been through a lot. We want some stability. It's time to rebuild," said Rota, the party's caucus chair.

LeBlanc, 40, who dropped out of the leadership race on Monday, suggested Ignatieff will offer a different leadership style to Liberals and to the country.

"I think he has an ability to forge consensus, and he seems very open to listening to ideas other than his own. But at the end of the day, the leader has to make the decision. I think he will arrive at those decisions with a great deal of support in the caucus and in the party precisely because he is so considerate of others' opinions," he said.

Ignatieff posted a statement on his website praising Rae as a "great Liberal and a great friend."

"Bob Rae has dedicated his life to serving Canadians and I have always felt privileged to count him as a friend and colleague. His decision today reflects his commitment to the unity of our party.

TheStar.com | World | Disgraced Illinois governor returns to work

Disgraced Illinois governor returns to work

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is free after his arrest on political corruption charges. The FBI say he was caught on wiretaps scheming to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for cash or a plum job in the new administration. Email story
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Dec 10, 2008 12:09 PM
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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagovich returned to work Wednesday, a day after he was arrested and accused of scheming to enrich himself by selling president-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Blagojevich is out on bond and has denied any wrongdoing.

The Democratic governor left his home on Chicago's North Side early Wednesday and waved to the media before quickly getting into a dark SUV without talking to the reporters.

A short time later, Blagojevich's SUV arrived at his office.

"He is still the sitting governor of Illinois today, now, and that is not something we have any say in or control of," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in unveiling corruption charges Tuesday against the 52-year-old governor.

The governor's lawyer, Sheldon Sorosky, said Tuesday he didn't know of any immediate plans for the governor to resign. Blagojevich believes he didn't do anything wrong and asks Illinois residents to have faith in him, Sorosky said.

"I suppose we will have to go to trial," he said.

Blagojevich could still appoint someone to fill Obama's seat despite the charges that he tried to barter it away for cash or a plum job in what Fitzgerald called "a political corruption crime spree."

But it would take a lot of nerve and Blagojevich would have to hurry because state legislators are racing to snatch away his power to appoint a new senator and put it in the hands of voters.

"No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement," Senator Dick Durbin said Tuesday after the governor, was arrested on charges of conspiring to commit fraud and soliciting bribery.

Until state legislators call a special election, though, Blagojevich still has the power to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Obama.

Obama was not accused of any wrongdoing.

"I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so we were not I was not aware of what was happening," Obama said. "And as I said, it's a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don't think it's appropriate to comment."

Prosecutors stepped in and had the governor arrested because he was on "what can only be called a political corruption crime spree," Fitzgerald said.

Look out Steve the Liberal is back full force..

Ignatieff secures Liberal leadership as Rae bows out


OTTAWA — Bob Rae has made it official - he's pulling out of the Liberal leadership race, effectively handing the party crown to Michael Ignatieff.

Rae - the last remaining rival to Ignatieff - announced today that he's bowing out for the good of the party.

He said Liberals must pull together to fight Stephen Harper's Conservatives, slamming the government for failing to act on the economic crisis.

And he offered his "full and unqualified support" to Ignatieff.

The move came hours after the Liberal national executive rejected Rae's plea to find a faster way of giving all party members a vote for Stephane Dion's replacement.

Rae's decision clears the way for Ignatieff to be acclaimed as the party's interim leader on Dec. 17.

It also raises fresh questions about plans by the opposition coalition to bring down the Harper government after the Jan. 27 federal budget.

Barry Hotel demolition welcomed by many people; not solution to all problems

Bye Bye Barry, This a little sad but. this the best solution. In my opinion.

Sign of the times on 20th Street

Barry Hotel demolition welcomed by many people; not solution to all problems

By Lori CoolicanDecember 5, 2008


Workers from Silverado Demolition remove straps from the Barry Hotel roof sign after a crane lowered the sign to the ground Thursday morning as part of the building's demolitionPhotograph by : Gord Waldner, The StarPhoenixMost people didn't notice when a piece of Saskatoon's past disappeared from the skyline Thursday morning.

Hardly anyone stood in the chilly wind to watch demolition crews take down the rooftop sign from the once-grand, now-notorious Barry Hotel on 20th Street.

People who work at the handful of store-front shops and service agencies still doing business in the immediate vicinity say the closure of the old hotel's bar and cut-rate apartments has made little difference to the character of the area.

"Life on 20th Street is much the same," said John Thelander, business manager of Building a Nation Family Healing Centre, located just a few doors east. "The alleys still have lots of traffic."

Thelander admitted feeling some nostalgia as the rotating sign disappeared from the top of the three-storey hotel, recalling the days when his parents lived in Riversdale decades ago and the hotel's reputation was a positive one.

But Building a Nation provides outreach services for poverty-stricken people, many of them struggling with alcohol and drug abuse, and in recent years many of its clients have lived at the Barry or hung out there.

"We got a lot of the damage . . . so it's not a bad thing to lose," Thelander said. "We see the walking wounded."

The hotel's demise didn't magically solve the problems plaguing its former customers. Many of them have simply adopted another bar farther to the west and they still use 20th Street as their pedestrian route into the downtown, Thelander noted.

"We want to be part of the solution, and we're still here."

Across the street from the Barry, staff at Boomtown Outfitters are preparing for the outdoor sports equipment store's permanent closure early in the new year.

Manager Lee Bolger predicted the hotel site will stand as an empty parking lot for about five years after the demolition is complete. He would rather see the existing structure redeveloped as quality affordable housing instead of torn down and replaced with new condominiums and retail space, he said.

"Maybe it's worth it financially (to build condos), I guess, but without consulting the community it's a different story."

City planners, developers and real estate investors have built a lot of hype about revitalizing the area, but on the ground things look far less rosy, Bolger said, noting several other businesses in the two-block area around the Barry have closed their doors recently.

lcoolican@sp.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

BYE BYE Parliament Hello Election In FEB... ?

BYE BYE Parliament.. Hello Election In FEB... ? by the way the liberals are in of a leadership race. Are we not.. Hang on this ride is not over yet! Wooooooo




Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives at Rideau Hall to speak with the Governor General Michaelle Jean in Ottawa on Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tom Hanson

©2008 Google - Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of UseGovernor General agrees to suspend Parliament
1 hour ago

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper has won his battle to hang on as prime minister - at least until January.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean agreed Thursday to Harper's request to shut down Parliament until he can present a budget late next month.

The decision pulls the teetering minority Conservative government a step back from the edge of a political precipice.

The Tories no longer have to face a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons on Monday that would likely have brought down the government.

But they will face another confidence test after the House returns Jan. 26 - with a budget the next day - setting up the prospect of a fierce battle for public support over the coming weeks.

Harper, whose provocative, trip-wire laden economic statement last week precipitated the political meltdown, is once again talking about co-operation with the opposition.

"Today's decision will give us an opportunity - I'm talking about all the parties - to focus on the economy and work together," Harper said after leaving Rideau Hall.

The Conservatives immediately prorogued , ending all debate.

Prorogation ends a parliamentary session and allows the government to start again at a later date with a fresh throne speech. It typically happens when a government has exhausted its legislative agenda, not before it's even begun.

But it also limits the government's spending powers at a time of economic crisis.

The opposition coalition had asked Jean to refuse to prorogue, arguing that Harper no longer enjoys the confidence of the House of Commons.

The prime minister - his job on the line - spent more than two hours at Rideau Hall talking with Jean.

The Governor General had already been consulting with constitutional experts about her options.

In an extraordinary televised address to Canadians on Wednesday night, Harper argued against the legitimacy of a coalition government.

But he admitted no errors in judgment and offered no new economic measures to placate the opposition.

Harper used his TV speech to condemn the participation of the Bloc Quebecois in supporting the formal Liberal-NDP coalition.

"This is no time for backroom deals with the separatists," said Harper, who flirted with the separatist Bloc in 2004 as the Liberal government of Paul Martin was tottering.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion responded to Harper with a pre-taped speech that was provided to broadcasters woefully late Wednesday evening - a poorly framed, out-of-focus effort reminiscent of a YouTube video.

"Stephen Harper still refuses to propose measures to stimulate the Canadian economy," Dion said in the video. "His mini-budget last week demonstrated that his priority is partisanship and settling ideological scores.

"The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons. In our democracy, in our parliamentary system, in our Constitution, this means that they have lost the right to govern."

NDP Leader Jack Layton said "Harper has broken trust with the Canadian people."

Buying time may well work in the prime minister's favour, as cracks in the unwieldy alternative governing alliance are already evident.

A formal Liberal-NDP entente, supported by the Bloc Quebecois, was forwarded to the Governor General this week stating the case that it can win the confidence of Canada's elected representatives and is prepared to govern if the Conservatives fall.

But it's a fragile consensus.

The cooling off period requested by Harper would, perhaps, also allow overheated rhetoric to chill.

At least one Conservative MP was alluding to treason and sedition on Wednesday, prompting Premier Jean Charest to wade in from Quebec's provincial election trail.

"I live in a society where people can be federalist or sovereigntist but they respect each other," Charest said in Quebec City. "The same should be true in the federal Parliament."

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said the Tories should be permitted to present a budget to Canadians before Parliaments expresses confidence or not in the Harper government.

Three major unions - the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, the United Steelworkers and the Canadian Auto Workers - countered that Jean should give the coalition a chance to govern Canada.

In a joint statement Thursday, leaders of the three unions said proroguing Parliament "would further derail the economy at a time when drastic support is needed."

The Letter

We are living in strange times so it is up to the GG if she will take the next step.

Monday, December 1, 2008


To our fellow citizens,

Canada is facing a global economic crisis. Since the recent federal election, it has become clear that the government headed by Stephen Harper has no plan, no competence and, no will to effectively address this crisis. Therefore, the majority of Parliament has lost confidence in Mr. Harper’s government, and believes that the formation of a new Government that will effectively, prudently, promptly and competently address these critical economic times is necessary.

The contrast between the inaction of Mr. Harper’s government and the common action taken by all other Western democracies is striking. We cannot accept this.

A majority of Canadians and Quebecers voted for our parties on October 14, 2008. Our Members of Parliament make up 55 percent of the House of Commons.

In light of the critical situation facing our citizens, and the Harper government’s unwillingness and inability to address the crisis, we are resolved to support a new government that will address the interests of the people.

Today we respectfully inform the Governor General that, as soon as the appropriate opportunity arises, she should call on the Leader of the Official Opposition to form a new government, supported as set out in the accompanying accords by all three of our parties.


Respectfully,


Hon. Stéphane Dion
Leader, the Liberal Party of Canada


Hon. Jack Layton
Leader, the New Democratic Party of Canada

Gilles Duceppe
Leader, the Bloc Québécois

Some numbers for you

Here the story by the numbers!
61.19% Canadians did not vote Stephen


TOTAL LEADING AND ELECTED SEATS



Canadian federal election, 2008
308 seats in the 40th Canadian Parliament
October 14, 2008 (2008-10-14)
First Party Second Party Third Party

Leader Stephen Harper Stéphane Dion Gilles Duceppe
Party Conservative Liberal Bloc Québécois
Leader since 2004 2006 1997
Leader's seat Calgary Southwest Saint-Laurent—Cartierville Laurier—Sainte-Marie
Last election 124 seats, 36.27% 103 seats, 30.23% 51 seats, 10.48%
Seats won 143 77 49
Seat change +19 -26 -2
Popular vote 5,208,796 3,633,185 1,379,991
Percentage 37.65% 26.26% 9.98%
Swing +1.38% -3.97% -0.50%
Fourth Party Fifth Party

Leader Jack Layton Elizabeth May
Party New Democrat Green
Leader since 2003 2006
Leader's seat Toronto—Danforth ran in Central Nova (lost)
Last election 29 seats, 17.48% 0 seats, 4.48%
Seats won 37 0
Seat change +8 0
Popular vote 2,515,561 937,613
Percentage 18.18% 6.78%
Swing +0.70% +2.30%





Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.
Barack Obama