Canadians don’t know what to make of Ignatieff. Their minds are made up about Harper.
So much for the Conservatives’ hidden agenda: Canadians, it turns out, have a pretty good idea what Stephen Harper is all about.
Only 24 per cent of respondents to a Nanos poll say they aren’t sure what to think about the Prime Minister. Unfortunately for Harper, 30 per cent of Canadians can’t name a single thing they like about him. Still, the Prime Minister can presumably count on the support of the 15 per cent of Canadians who find no fault with him whatsoever. His most popular qualities are his leadership abilities (eight per cent), his honesty (five per cent), his policies (four per cent) and his ability to get things done (four per cent). Those who aren’t as enamoured with Harper say he breaks his promises (11 per cent), is arrogant (eight per cent), is power-hungry (six per cent) and has a bad attitude (five per cent).
Harper’s main rival in Parliament, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, hasn’t left as definite an impression with Canadian voters: 58 per cent of respondents couldn’t name a trait they like about Ignatieff, while 64 per cent couldn’t identify a trait they dislike about him. To his fans, though, Ignatieff is smart (seven per cent) and a “fresh face” (five per cent) —i.e., not Stéphane Dion. But to his enemies, he is a distant (three per cent) newbie (three per cent).
On other issues…
83% of Iraqis are optimistic about the future.
67% of Canadians believe in angels.
64% of Canadians have loaned or borrowed more than $500 from friends or family.
56% of Americans feel “betrayed” by their government over the economy.
47% of Canadians wish we could elect an Obama of our own.
46% of American women would rather give up sex for two weeks than their Internet access.
45% of Canadians feel no sympathy for Omar Khadr.
33% of Americans believe gays and lesbians shouldn’t be allowed to teach in elementary schools.
12% of Canadians don’t read books.
11% of Canadians think George Bush should have pardoned Conrad Black.
2% of Canadians believe the recession will be over by the spring.