Harper's warning of a coalition backfiring people, power

tiffiant

Harper's warning of a coalition backfiring

VICTORIA (NEWS1130) - Pumping up fears of a coalition government, Stephen Harper is spending another morning campaigning on the West Coast.

Harper is warning people that unless the Conservatives win a majority, there will be a Liberal-led coalition government with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois.

However, the Opposition parties say maybe the PM can clarify his own plans to seize power, through a coalition in 2004 when there was a Liberal minority.

Voters are trying to sort through the pros and cons of either a minority or coalition government, but one man says one thing is for sure.  "Politicians only want to look after themselves.  If they have to form a coalition government, then they'll form a coalition government and the country can go to hell in a hand basket.  Who cares?  As far as they're concerned."

BC hotspots

So, which region of BC is expected to be big battlegrounds during this election?  

Outside the Lower Mainland, NDP BC campaign boss Glen Sanford says they have their sights set on the north and anger over that pesky HST.  

"In Kootenay-Columbia.  A long-time Conservative incumbent stepped down and it's now an open battle.  The people in that region are furious with the Conservatives over the HST.  They're also looking to Jack Layton for some of the positive alternatives to make life more affordable."

Sanford goes on to explain that people shouldn't forget about Prince George-Peace River, because that's where they're counting on a former deputy premier to win.

Leaders are all "a-Twitter"

"In this election, more than all the others, you will see a power of this kind of insta-communication to large numbers of people," says pop culture expert Jim Parker.

If used effectively, he adds a social media website like Twitter, can give candidates the edge over their competition, "because somebody might say something goofy."

Yesterday federal politicians sent out roughly 1,500 Tweets.

Ignatieff's brows

It's a Liberal fundraiser that's raising some eyebrows.  Literally.

The party is giving away a pair of fake Michael Ignatieff eyebrows in exchange for a donation before midnight on Tuesday.

The fundraiser pokes fun at Ignatieff's dark bushy eyebrows and have been a hit with journalists travelling with the Grit leader.

The brows come with a card that says "Get your Michael on."

News1130 has set up a special page for full election coverage.

tiffiant

Prime Minister Stephen Harper