The Democratic Primaries and Us

I have to ask my fellow Canadian bloggers: if American bloggers had taken as keen and active a partisan interest in the Liberal leadership race two years ago, spinning and defending, insulting and chastising our candidates, how would you react?

Posted at 10:13 on April 23, 2008

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jennifer smith (runesmith.blogspot.com) writes at Wed Apr 23 10:41:16 EDT 2008...

The difference, of course, is that the person sitting in the Whitehouse has an ENORMOUS impact on our lives here in Canada, whereas the results of a Canadian election have almost zero impact down there.

I've always felt that every country in the world should get a vote equivalent to, say, one district in U.S. elections. Canada and Mexico should get two.

David Graham (cdlu.net) writes at Wed Apr 23 11:00:31 EDT 2008...

No country should have a vote in another's election unless they are willing to be subject to the other's laws.

Surely you are not suggesting that the entire world be subject to the US legal system?

I am all for keeping an eye on how the US race goes, but I think we need to be wary of the line between interest and interference.

Matt (queer-liberal.blogspot.com) writes at Wed Apr 23 12:09:30 EDT 2008...

Was I interfering, David? I certainly don't think so. It's the most interesting political story going on right now, 'in and out' notwithstanding. It's historic and whoever wins will have a huge impact on our lives. So I have every right to discuss it on my Canadian blog. You linked to my post earlier today as "defending" - not sure what you mean by that, but I'll gladly take the link.

DLF (disgruntledliberalfemale.blogspot.com/) writes at Wed Apr 23 12:49:14 EDT 2008...

I believe I have the right to comment on anything going on in the geopolitical sphere of the planet.

If any American, blogger or otherwise, had enough interest to comment, spin, defend, insult and/or chastise our candidates, I'd offer them praise for having the vision to realize that there is a world beyond the borders of the USA.

David Frum and Tom Flanagan notwithstanding.

David Graham (cdlu.net) writes at Wed Apr 23 12:54:28 EDT 2008...

Fair enough. All I am asking us to do is ask ourselves how we would react if foreign bloggers were essentially campaigning in our elections, as so many bloggers here seem to be doing in theirs?

I have my opinions in the US election, of course, as do most people, but I don't see it as my place to tell Americans how they should vote.

Hugh MacIntyre (freedomnation.blogspot.com) writes at Wed Apr 23 14:03:39 EDT 2008...

I remember in the 2004 election Michael Moore came to Canada and told Canadians to vote against the Conservative Party. I remember that I was outraged by his interference. I also remember the Charge Moore campaign because he was in violation of the Elections Canada Act.

I think my outrage would have been less if he had attacked the other side. Looking back I have far less of a problem with it now. This is a free society and everyone, including foreigners have a right to voice their opinion. I can ignore their opinion but if their views are well argued they should be considered.

Ryan Androsoff (www.saskprairiefire.blogspot.com) writes at Wed Apr 23 15:27:20 EDT 2008...

Not sure that "chastising" is the word I would use for my post last night either, but so be it.

As for Americans providing commentary on the Liberal leadership race, I think most Canadian Liberals would have been flattered if they were paying that much attention to us (remember, Howard Dean was a guest speaker at the leadership convention)! I always find it quite amusing actually how anytime a prominent Canadian politician ends up on a major American news program, the very fact they were on that news program is big news back home.

The other issue here is that I think a lot of people in Canada, and around the world, are transfixed by the historic race that is taking place down south right now, thus why the increased chatter about it in the Canadian blogosphere.

Jamie (rugbyjamer.blogspot.com) writes at Wed Apr 23 15:48:25 EDT 2008...

I agree its a worse distraction than the playoffs. I even posted on this issue. You can even bet against me.