Conservative Party Leadership Vote
My other political activity today, was voting in the conservative race today. while i showed up at the polling station blaring out "london calling" out of my supercharged 89' cougar(!) with the sunroof off, and full on gym outfit and aviators, my cohorts in the party were showing up in old people gear...because..

most of them were septugenarians. we're talking old school. as, 'haven't been in school since Bennet was in power' old school.

anyways, they gave me the cold shower for whatever reason (could it be...intolerance?) and got me wondering "how the hell am i going to fit into this party?" i'm pro gay, pro choice (mostly), progressive... but i'm a foreign policy hawk and fiscal conservative.

the party had its voting specifically early in the morning on a weekend...almost to assure that no young people showed up. how stupid is that? 'we don't want the young people to vote for stronach' was almost the attitude (stronach is the lead vote getter for people under 30).

anyways, i voted for harper as first choice and clement second and got outta there...here's the most recent story about the vote:

Harper takes early lead as votes counted at Conservative convention
Canadian Press

March 20, 2004

TORONTO (CP) - Stephen Harper jumped out to an early, commanding lead in the Conservative Party leadership race as votes were counted Saturday.

With results coming from ridings across the country, the former Alliance leader led with about 53 per cent of votes cast.

His nearest rival, former auto parts executive Belinda Stronach, had about 34 per cent of the vote while former Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement had roughly 13 per cent.

Heading into the convention, opinion polls suggested Harper would be a first-ballot winner.

Each riding was worth 100 points and the candidates got a share of the points from each riding based on their percentage of the vote in each constituency.

The three candidates made their final pitches to some 250,000 eligible party members in speeches Friday night.

Before the results were released Saturday, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein delivered the keynote speech, calling the founding convention of the Conservative Party of Canada "a dream come true." The new party is the result of the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative party.

On Friday, Klein ruffled political feathers when he suggested it would be unrealistic to expect the nascent party to form the next government.

© The Canadian Press 2004
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if harper's over 50%, he's in. i don't think stronach and clement are going to turn this around any time soon.