So many elections, so little time...

For me, politics is like watching a soap opera, except in real time and with metaphorical deaths and resurrections (for the most part). So, with the Canadian and U.S. federal elections, and soon a new PC leader in NB, I can't even keep up, and that's the way I like it.

The Canadian and U.S. elections could hardly be more different - there is a LOT at stake south of the border, and everyone can sense it. The fact that young people, women and voters of colour will decide this election (between an inter-racial ticket or an inter-gender ticket, no less) shows that slowly, the face of politics is changing. To what end, the debate remains.

In Canada, nobody is particularly fired up. It seems we are always going to the polls, and the choices offered for PM this time are lacklustre. A choice between a fractured Liberal party, the mean-spirited Harper Conservatives or tossing your vote to left-wingers or separatists suggests that most votes will be "protest" votes, but for what or against what, we're not exactly sure. Maybe part of the problem is that few Canadians know where they want the country to go next.

So, a couple of interesting links for the political junkies: an interactive map about female politicians in the world . Canada isn't doing so hot, nor is most of the G-8, for that matter. And New Brunswick is one of the worst provinces for female MP's.

Finally, Paul Well's excellent piece on exactly how calculating Stephen Harper is. He's not the ideologically driven man that a lot of critics would have us believe. He's driven by winning, and holding on to power long enough to change Canada. So read this-I wouldn't be surprised if Harper's people are running Census figures on every riding in the country, figuring out exactly whose votes he needs to gain a majority, and focus-grouping the heck out of those demographics to see what promises will win them.

It's almost like the "market-research" mentality has taken over the PMO. In this respect, Harper's campaign bears a remarkable similarity to the debates over how to win swing ridings in Ohio, Pennsylvani and Florida. Whether McCain's selection of a female running mate will turn that tide, we shall see.