Neville has to be one of the weakest MP’s in the house. As CPC support goes up they may have a chance, but all canadidates in this race are not stellar. At some point, WSC residents will wake up and see that they have weak representation, and while the MP is a supporter of Israel (a huge issue a riding with a signifcant Jewish population), her party only patronizes those supporters.

If the polls don’t change, Anita is in trouble.

Liberal win. This riding has to be the strongest in the province for them. it’d be very hard for them to lose.

Have to go with a Liberal win at this point but it’s going to be surprisingly close. Watch for Cosmo Kramer to close the gap significantly.

Liberal win. No doubt about it. When you work as hard and are as well liked as Anita is you are awarded by being re-elected into the house. Anyone who claims differently is just fooling themself

Anita is in the fight of her life. As for A.M Malmed (who I suspect is a member of Anita’s Ottawa staff posting under an alias) I do not know what he means about being hard working. What exactly has Anita done since arriving in Ottawa?

I agree Neville will win, but ‘hard working’? Try something simple like getting an answer to a question from her.

Anita will win albeit by a smaller margin. She really is useless as a MP but this riding has a love affair with the liberals no matter what they do.

Antia is really worried right now, and rightfully so. This race is going to be a close on, closer than this riding is used to.

I have no problem with Ms. Neville’s assistant “A.M. Malmed” posting for her. These are going to be partisan comments, which make them un-believable. What it does show is that (1) Her staff and volunteers are desperate to influence opinion and (2) They are clearly not using their resources wisely by posting on websites when they should be door knocking and putting up more signs. The Richards camp is going all out on those 2 fronts.

Oh the socially progressive people of river heights..?..educated and all…let’s see, legalized pot, gay marriage, weaker sentences for violent offenders…gosh if only Anita Neville and her liberals could win a majority..heck we’d have a bigamist state too in no time!!! The Liberals are going to loose badly nationally but you will likely send lazy Neville back to defend your “fundamental issues” albeit from the opposition benches!

True, Kramer is winning the sign war, but these numbers to not reflect the fact that there is also a PC candidate running who seems to have a real presence, and will no doubt take votes from the CPC. Hence, Liberal hold.

In my 30+ years following politics in both youth politics and in regular realms, in BC, Ontario, and Manitoba, I have never seen a weaker MP than Anita Neville. If she was in any other riding they would have voted her out by now. She must thank the lord every night for Lloyd Axworthy. She is a HORRIBLE representative.

Anita is in big trouble. The PM had to come to the riding to give her a boost. The campaign is poorly run and staff/volunteers are non-existent. Time for some new blood, time for a Conservative change.

On January 23 Michael Richards (www.mikerichards.ca) will say “what’s the deal with this victory” after he triumphs over Grandma Anita. Her time, like that of the ditheral party of canada, is over. Period.

This riding mystifies me. Both the NDP and Conservatives are running strong candidates this time around. Anita was a weak school trustee, and is a weaker MP. Yet, all indications is that she will win this riding handily. Note to those who live in this riding - Lloyd Axworthy retired almost a decade ago - it’s ok stop voting Liberal now.

Rob, exactly! You took the words right out of my mouth. I can’t believe an educated, tune in riding such as WSC could stand having such weak representation. The only time she stands up in the House of Commons is to salute some group in the riding. Like him or not, Axworthy brought prestige to the riding. Anita has no cache. Now that the CPC is on the verge, maybe voters will want to stay on the government side and put in Richards. There is no value to Neville right now, and there will be negative value as a backbench opposition member in what is soon to be a Liberal disaster / civil war.

As a new voter in this riding, I can’t speak about Neville’s past performance, but after taking a spin through the riding last night, I have to wonder why the Richards supporters are feeling so smug. Mark Wasyliw has a ton of signs out this year, several on our street alone in River Heights.

He completely owned the public debate, as well.

This riding may in fact be poised for an underdog victory, methinks.

Lots of people work hard and are well-liked and what does that get them, a big cup of nothing. People are gouged by Liberal overtaxation and then that money in the public coffers is wasted away through corruption. Anita should not be awarded anything. She needs to earn votes for once on her record and not continue the culture of entitlement.

Dave an underdog victory would do just fine. The riding needs a kick in the pants. New blood can be orange, blue or green for all I care, just not red.

This area will vote liberlal, sadly. Alcock will fall before Anita.

I’m supporting Mike, so I’m not going to suggest a winner here, but I leave you all with this tidbit…Look at the numbers from 2004. Anita’s numbers were over-inflated past her normal vote. I suspect that this riding experienced NDP and former-PC panic in those last days, with the Dippers voting Red and at least 50% of the Joe Clark Tories voting Liberal or sitting at home.

She can’t count on 18K as her starting point this election.

What’s with this page and the others that have Liberal incumbents???? Are these pages all filled by Conservative party people designated to comment in every negative way possible? If people are looking for effective voices in Ottawa , Anita has also got to be one of the best.This is a woman of substance, principles, and solutions. She listens carefully to the people and works to finding solutions , and as every one knows back benchers do not have the clout of a Minister , but as her recent appointment as a Parliamentary secretary ( not sure of her actual position ) , she will have more clout and say in the process of government.Here too is an effective woman in the political arena , and goodness knows we need more women in politics, especially effective ones like her …

Don. Are you designated by the Liberals to respond and to defend Liberal incumbants. This is the second one that I know of that you are defending.

Tghis riding has a high chance of going Conservative, given the present trends in the region. A weak MP, a weaker campaign…

GLOBAL NEWS/ free press poll said this is a tie tonight. Let’s hope the people in this riding wake up and get rid of the liberal !!

Hope she goes, shes ineffective!

To John :
No i am not designated by the Liberals to defend these two candiddates… I happen to live in the riding that ( at the edge ) and know both ridings well.. you may know there has ( or should say was ) some redistribution and boundary changes last time around… and I happen for , one ( an d I think many ) support both of these individuals….. … However given the relatively savage nature of several of the comments on this page and the other re Reg Alcock , one has to wonder IF in fact you and several others here are not in fact the Conservative “plant”…
I respect the fact that each of us in a democracy have the privilege to voice our concerns and our thoughts , no matter how visciferously , I guess I would hope and think, that these expressions were more based on fact and thought as opposed to emotion only.
Let’s face it the Gomery issue IS a significant issue in our land , but it is NOT the only issue upon a governing body should be judged… It is easy in any campaign to ” selectively look at those issues that hit a ” hot ” button. On balance , and considering the state of this nation as a whole I beleieve that the Liberals have done a good job… and especially these two individuals
IF you dont agree ( and obviously you don’t ) … that’s what this type of forum is all about …Enjoy !!!

Don, I honestly do not know how anyone with and IQ over 27 can defend this Liberal government. Note I said “this”. They are corrupt. End of story. It may very well be that Liberalism is the way of the land, and if so, so be it. However, this particular Liberal Government are corrupt crooks and that overshadows ANYTHING else they have done. They do not deserve to be re-elected, end of story. Anita neville is part of this corrupt government and therefore, unfortunately for her, you have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. She is an awful MP so it makes it easier, but I digress. The bottom line is if you were married and your partner cheated on you, stole from your wallet when you were sleeping, said you would have “relations” 5 times a week and it turned out to be 1 a month, stayed at home and didn’t contibute at all to the household, and lied constantly, would you stay with them because they were a good cook? I think not. This government, regardless of some of the good they have done, are used, tired, bloated, and corrupt. They must go as it is only the sane thing to do!

Don
How come you can accuse the rest of us of being Conservative plants, but you take such exception to being called a Liberal plant. We have a right express our concerne about corruption in our govts without being labelled a Conservative plant. Ditto to you. You sure sound like a defender of Liberals to me.

To dave and John :well I guess we agree to disagree… ( and oh Dave , yes I know my IQ isn’t quite up to yours , but it is somewhat over 27 ! )
Don

Ok Don, maybe 37, if you insist on thinking that voting for Anita or the Liberal Party.

Richards should pull this one out in a squeaker.
I’m a little amazed the conservatives didn’t pull this one out last time.

The Conservatives are running very well on the Prairies and should take this riding away…say by 1,500 votes or so…

Wasyliw is one of the best candidates running in the province. He would do an excellent job in Ottawa, although he’d need to squeek up the middle, which seems to be a bit of long shot, but I’d vote for him.

P.S. Hats off to Richards and Swirsky who are both strong candidates, although I do disagree with their politics. Neville doesn’t deserve a win here, she’s nearly invisible.

Vote Richards for strong local representation in the new government.

Let me make this perfectly clear. The Anita Neville Campaign is going along IDEALLY. The campaign office is PACKED at all hours of the day and night. People are coming and going in a steady stream. Doors are being knocked on all over Winnipeg South Centre. Brochures are being dropped everywhere. Sign orders are coming in faster then we can put them up.

I defy ANYONE to factually say otherwise.

As for the allegation that Anita is lazy I can say with firsthand information that NOTHING, NOTHING, is further from the truth. I am with her in the campaign, and she is ALWAYS on the go. I am with her as she fulfills her duties in Ottawa, and she is one of the HARDEST working MPs there, with a committee and parliamentary workload second to NONE in all of Ottawa.

Anyone who says otherwise is either mis-informed or worse a liar.

On Monday, Anita will be re-elected.
On Tuesday, or any day after of their choosing, if the individual or individuals who have claimed to be me, want to discuss the issues that they have fraudulently spoken about, I invite them to name the time and place. I will be there.
I have the GUTS to stand up, stand by my convictions, and prove I am the ONLY Andrew Mindell. Do you?

If you think Anita did nothing for the riding as a Liberal backbencher, just wait until she is an opposition backbencher that no one has heard of.

Stand up for Canada!
Vote for Richards!

I was at the candidates forum last night at Crescentwood Community centre. After hearing them in person, I found Richards, Swirsky, and Wasyliw to be the strongest candidates. All of them would probably do a fine job. Wasyliw inspired me to finally stop voting strategically. I’ve voted Liberal in the past few elections. Question is -how many more are there like me in this riding? We’ll find out on Monday.

Anita is such a weak MP that even though she is in trouble (Free Press poll and sign war) the Liberals sent the safer (but not completely safe) Reg Alcock to debate in both CBC and the Global televised debates. Michael Richards debated in 2 of them, Steven Fletcher in 1, Pat Martin in 1, and Judy W-L in 1. But Anita who is in a tight race was not sent to any of them. Why? Because the party does not have faith in her. Why is Ms. Neville one of two female Liberal MP’s from the parries and she still did not get a cabinet position? I am sure that she “always on the go” during the campaign as you suggest, but it is what she does in between elections that counts. I know that you say she is hard working in Ottawa and she serves on a committee (wow good for her!) but what has she done! Nothing for my self and my fellow voters in Winnipeg South Center. She is no Lloyd Axworth, she is no Anne McClellan for that matter.

Now she still stands a good shot of winning, in spite of her party. I think the long campaign has helped Mike Richards, he is impressive and the more people he meets the more of Neville’s votes he will take.

If what Andrew Mindell states is true, and Anita is a hard working MP, then I can only conclude that she works hard at being invisible and irrelevant. Voters, including Liberals, would be wise to take this opportunity to cleanse both this riding and the Liberal party of Ms. Neville, so that a truly strong candidate can carry the Liberal banner the next time around.

Dear “The Real…”;

You will surely have plenty of time to discuss Anita and her campaign failings on Tuesday the 24th and beyond, as you will out of work and she will be an ex-MP. Kudos however for having the honesty to admit you are a staffer. I would say at least half these comments are from party workers anyway. But she will still lose. That is just an honest prediction from one person.

I’m not sure who will win this one. It may be close.

This is the riding that the Forks is in, I think. I’m unsure of how much Winnipeggers want this new museum that is supposed to go at the Forks. There are going to spend $100 million, plus $12 million a year on operating expenses out of our taxes.

Problem is, most folks that I have talked to are not in favour of the museum. They can’t justify it. It doesn’t seem to be the best way to spend $100 million that we don’t really have. Canada is in debt to the tune of about $500 billion. Sure, building it will create jobs and boost the economy, etc. But, why not ask the people if they want it before committing our taxes towards it?

I should first and foremost say that I am an NDP voter and so please no one accuse me of being a”Liberal plant,” which is apparently what anyone who is not a Conservative is attacked as here.

I must say that for years I too was disappointed by the low-profile that Anita has in Ottawa, particularly after the Axworthy years. But to other WSCers: grow up! Image is not everything. Not every riding can have a cabinet minister and do not think we are somehow entitled to one since we had one before. And anyway, having done some research in the past few weeks, it turns out that Ms Neville is actually an extremely active MP at the commitee level and one of the most active and senior MPs in regards to the Status of Women commitee. No matter what your political stripe (whether you believe in the commitee or not) to not acknowledge this is sheer ignorance. And further when you ask what has she done for the riding, what do you think most MPs can do? Should they be pork-barrel stealing from the Federal barrel for there own riding? I thought Conservative were against this kind of thing. Winnipeg South Centre is by and large a wealthy educated riding. We do not need the same amount of extra funding etc. as do other ridings with deeply ingrained problems and I also do not see any huge issues in the neighbourhood which need addressing. Great schools, well funded community clubs, etc. etc.

I hope that the NDP is able to squeek this one out since with a good turn out and if Liberal scare tactics fail I think this area’s Orange heart will show. But please have a sense of civic decency and do not attack anyone who defends the Liberals. Canada has a better economic and fiscal track record than any other G8 country. To say that “no one with an IQ of higher than 27″ could possibly support the Liberals is disgusting. Its voting out a party when a country is doing this well economically and fiscally which is essentially unimaginalbe anywhere else.

I think the fact that Andy is dazzled by Anita’s work ethic says a lot more about him than it does about her.

BTW, I love The Hardest Working Woman In Ottawa’s comments in the Freep today about how she can barely afford to rent a shoebox in Ottawa. Yep, a $20K housing allowance and $160K salary sure don’t go as far as they used to. O-Town life is rough, yo.

Anita is not Loyd Axworthy, I think the people here have finally realized this. And this riding will not be an easy win for Anita, in the area’s I frequent and the areas I have canvassed (not for the liberal party) the people have never seen Anita, nevermined feel she’s done anything for them. The Liberals will lose votes to the NDP candidate, maybe even greens. This will divide the vote and leave the Conservative to win. I would say NDP, but they came in third last election and haven’t built up the support yet. Not to mention the majority of their support is coming from areas with the worst voter turnout.

“I defy ANYONE to factually say otherwise.”

I have canvassed, no one has seen hide nor hair of a Liberal candidate in a decade. I’m sure other volunteers from NDP, CPC and PCP will say the same.

Hey Jeff.

Come on now, it was Don who started this thing about plants. He accused us all of being Conservative plants, because of the mere fact that we were not happy with our MP, and with the corruption in our Federal Govt. State your opinion from your perspective as you wish, and allow us to do the same. As far as Don being accused of being a Liberal plant, what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

P.S. For an NDPer you certainly seem to be defending this Liberal MP