For only the fourth time since the early 1900s, Canada and the US are holding national elections at the same time. While American campaign dynamics and personalities rarely have a direct influence on Canadian results, American political tactics and strategies do have a habit of finding their way into Canadian campaigns.
Already, the Harper Conservatives have charged to a Usain Bolt-like lead with positive ads and their war room ready to go. Meanwhile, the opposition Liberals have been beset with in-fighting and a leader that bears more resemblance to Michael Dukakis than Barack Obama.
In the U.S. presidential election – an open election with no incumbent since – both campaigns are moving aggressively to adjust their campaign tactics on the fly:
…the McCain organization has become a campaign transformed: an elbows-out, risk-taking, disciplined machine that was on display here last week at the Republican convention that nominated McCain. [New York Times]
