This is shaping up to be a really close election in Canada. The parties are within a few percent of each other, and the latest projections show that they'd each win roughly the same number of seats. That will lead to some interesting political horse trading after the election to determine who has the power. Did I really just say, "horse trading?" That's how close it is! I'm using century-old slang to describe it.
But that political showdown can wait. For now the point I want to make is: please stop talking about who is "winning" or "surging" or the most this or the least that. When everyone is within the margin of error, it's misleading to talk about that. We're told the NDP is winning at 31%, while the Conservatives are languishing in last, at 28%. A report said Stephen Harper is most trusted with the economy, then we're quickly told that it was by a 35-30-25 margin.
Let's just give up on the idea that anything definitive is going to come out of the polls, or the election itself. If someone starts getting close to majority levels (say, 40%) then you are invited to make a big deal over it. But for now admit that we've got nothing to talk about. The media may as well show the pollsters drawing lots to decide who's leading in the polls today. Drawing lots? Who says that any more?
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