2009-06-08 06:39:32
A political scientist says when voters get in a mindset that a change is needed, there's no fighting it. The Conservatives have been asking for another mandate based on experience and leadership. But Dr Michael MacMillan of Mount Saint Vincent University says government's aren't elected, they're defeated. He says opposition parties wait for opportunities for the government to discredit itself, make mistakes or voters just get tired of them. Dr MacMillan says when making up their minds they look at the parties first, leaders second followed by issues and local candidates. He says opinion polls rank well below those factors when it comes to people making their minds up about who to vote for.
The head of a leading market research firm says Nova Scotians are in the mood for a big change. Don Mills, C-E-O of Corporate Research Associates, says the major theme of the 35-day election campaign was ``change in a substantive way,'' The Halifax-based pollster has been tracking Nova Scotia politics for two decades. His quarterly polls show the N-D-P has been the preferred choice for voters for almost three years.
Itineraries of the Nova Scotia party leaders for Monday, June 8:
Rodney MacDonald, Progressive Conservative party:
IONA: Canvassing. 10:30 a.m.
NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing. 12:00 p.m.
ESKASONI: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.
Darrell Dexter, New Democratic Party:
BRAS D'OR: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 366 Park Rd. 8:15 a.m.
NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 7 Blowers St. 8:45 a.m.
NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Northside Community Guest Home and Extended Care, 11 Queen St. 9:15 a.m.
MILLBROOK: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.
SALMON RIVER: Canvassing along Birch Street. 2:30 pm
TRURO: Canvassing along Young Street. 2:50 p.m.
BIBLE HILL: Canvassing at Bible Hill Estates. 3:30 p.m.
PUGWASH: Canvassing along Victoria, Prince Albert and Black streets. 5:00 p.m.
Stephen McNeil, Liberal party:
DARTMOUTH: Waving at traffic on the Angus L. Macdonald bridge. 7 a.m.
DARTMOUTH: Canvassing at Seniors Apartments, Jamieson Street. 10:00 a.m.
DARTMOUTH: Canvassing along Virginia Avenue. 11:30 a.m.
WINDSOR: Canvassing along Water Street. 2:00 p.m.
NEW MINAS: Waving at the Atlantic Superstore. 3:00 p.m.
KENTVILLE: Canvassing on Main Street. 4:00 p.m.
ANNAPOLIS: Canvassing. 6:00 p.m.