It may not look like it on the surface but US politics looked alot like Canadian politics last night.
First, you have a tired looking governing party with increasingly desperate tactics that ended up losing (similar to the ‘new’ Tory government).
Second, you have the Democrats as the US version of the Canadian Conservatives (wait a minute I’m not talking ideology here). The Democrats have candidates ranging all over the ideological map from staunchly centrist to Stockwell Dayish fringes on the left. I heard there are about 20 different positions, for example, on Iraq among the Dems from increasing troops and strengthening the US position to full withdrawal tomorrow. However, this was minimized during the election. There were very few ‘scary’ slip ups (to the left).
Third, ultimately, the electorate in Canada and the US seem to sense when it’s time for a change. The American economy is very strong right now – unemployment is 4.4% and job creation has been very strong. The stock market has been increasing for almost two years and everyone always says that Americans vote with their pocketbooks. Well, it seems last night they did not vote with their pocketbooks. A good majority of them were just ready for change.
I, unlike 92% of Canadians, still kind of like old George W. as I have pointed out elsewhere. However, it looks like change is probably on the agenda south of the border whether he likes it or not.