Ethnic votes

The Conservatives have been chasing the "ethnic" vote in order to get their coveted majority. They've been doing this by espousing policies that resonate with the particular groups their after. This is nothing new, since it has been a long tradition amongst political parties. The difference with the Conservatives is, they're hypocrites.

For the past year or so, they have been airing attack ads against Michael Ignatieff saying that he's "not here for you." That he has lived abroad for many years; that he calls other countries "his own"; that if defeated, he will just go back to Harvard. What I find interesting is how this plays against the ethnic vote.

When you look at the ethnic vote, you'll find a number of them are 1st generation Canadians. Many of them have dual citizenships, and most significant of all...they vote in the elections of their home countries. Many countries allow their former citizens to vote in their elections. I know of at least one country that will allow the adult children of these immigrants to vote in these elections, as long as they register. Does this make them less of a Canadian citizen? I don't think so. Then why was Mr. Ignatieff being pressed about whether he had voted in foreign elections? (For the record, he said he has only voted in the UK, as a Commonwealth, i.e. Canadian, citizen). Add to all of this that many naturalized Canadians, decide to go back and live in their home countries for months or years at a time.

This is an example of the Conservatives being hypocritical. On the one hand, they criticize Mr. Ignatieff for living abroad, and on the other hand, they vigorously pursue ethnic voters who engage in the behaviour they are attacking. Why hasn't the media pressed Mr. Harper on this? Why don't they reveal this incongruity, which I would say is significant, since not only does it examine the Conservative political strategy, but criticizes their attack ad strategies.

My charge to journalists is, press Mr. Harper on this issue. He'll obviously dance around the topic, like he often does, but at least it will get voters thinking.