Whew

Well, let the communal exhalation begin. Sure, it might not have been what everyone was expecting, but nevertheless Harper’s taken control of the wheel and can start to chart his own course. Even a Liberal must have been impressed with his passion during the victory speech.

Observations:

My riding, Parry Sound/Muskoka was the tightest in the country with Tony Clement picking up a 21 vote victory over EX-Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell. Hopefully the recount bears that out. Your vote counts, always!

Thinking of Brian Tobin as Liberal leader is flat out frightening, because (insert your own reason here).

Collectively, the NDP\Layton\Chow-fest probably had more joints at it than any similar Conservative or Liberal gathering. It also may have had more sandals with socks and less meat consumed than any other.

Hugh Segal has lost a lot of weight, but it turns out he doesn’t have a pretty face.

Gilles Duceppe is wishing he was Andre Boisclair. He can’t be anything but disappointed.

Rural folks that already disliked “big cities” do even more so today. Let the pitchfork revolution begin.

Living abroad for decades and being parachuted into a riding still is not enough to turn voters away from the Liberals in Toronto. Just ask Michael Ignatieff. Seriously, do 416ers think that makes a good candidate? Where would they draw the line? Would they vote for a complete foreigner? A Westerner? Gasp!

Polls are like crack alright: addictive and distorting.

Jack Layton and Olivia Chow will be a disliked couple in Ottawa. That’s just too much self-righteousness in one marriage. Are they allowed to hold hands in the benches?

Transcript of my election prediction amongst my group of friends, including Brian Mertens @ Free Advice.

Being an optimist I'll say:

CPC-142

LIB-87

BLOC-55

DIPPERS-24

Recognizing I'm an idiot, I'm allowing for a 15 seat margin of error for any party. Even the Marijuana party.

I’m sorry if I got the Marijuana Party’s hopes up.

All in all, a good night!

GL