In the balanced and fair fashion appropriate to a fearlessly partisan political blog, today seems like a good day to take note of the most recent Angus-Reid report.
New Democrat Jack Layton has the highest satisfaction rating of the major party leaders. Twenty nine per cent of respondents reported they approved of his performance, while 34 per cent disapproved.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was next: 26 per cent approve of his performance, while 51 per cent disapprove. Judging from that sky-high disapproval rating, the Prime Minister has paid a heavy price for his habit of padlocking Canada's national Parliament when he finds our democratic institutions inconvenient.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff brings up the rear. Despite a remarkable six-week media honeymoon since Mr. Harper prorogued the House of Commons, only 15 per cent of respondents approved of Mr. ignatieff's performance, while 49 per cent disapproved -- just about as much trouble as Mr. Harper is in. Lots of uncritical exposure does not seem to improve Mr. Ignatieff's numbers. Or to put the point more bluntly, the more Canadians see of Mr. Ignatieff the less they seem to like him, at least according to Angus Reid.
That said, if they had to vote tomorrow, in this poll 34 per cent of respondents would vote for the Conservatives, 30 per cent for the Liberals, and 18 per cent for the NDP. Thus, the Tory vote is down a few points from the October, 2008, election, the Liberals are up a few, and the New Democrats are holding their support nicely.
(Photo: The NDP Leader emerges from his pre-budget meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday. The Canadian Press)
