Why?
Hargrove felt that by embracing the Liberal party he could persuade CAW members to switch their allegiances from the NDP and in doing so stave off the Conservatives led by Stephen Harper. We all know how that turned out. The Conservatives formed a minority government and have been in that position ever since.
Hargrove had no confidence in the NDP and in a desperate move felt strategic voting would save the day. What Hargrove didn't understand then but probably does now is that strategic voting is for losers and it's seen as weakness by most people who bother to get out and cast their ballots.
The spectre of strategic voting has again reared its ugly head in the Toronto mayoral campaign as Councillor Joe Mihevc, a traditional NDP backer, has turned his back on mayoral hopeful Joe Pantalone, also a NDPer, to back George Smitherman. He believes Smitherman is the only candidate who can defeat Rob Ford who is way ahead in the polls. Again, this is a move of desperation that will fail.
I've always believed that you should vote with your conscience for the candidate who you think will best serve your city. If I lived in Toronto I would only vote for Smitherman if I felt he was the best person for the job. There's no way I could hold my nose and vote for somebody I didn't believe in but felt had a better shot at beating the frontrunner. That's like giving up your vote.
Call me crazy but I believe in voting for someone. Back your candidate, support him/her and live with the consequences. I don't take this responsibility lightly and could never be convinced into marking my ballot in a way that would prevent someone from winning. Vote for your candidate not against another candidate.
Theoretically strategic voting sounds good but in practise it doesn't work. Those who consider it have given up and should just stay home on election day.
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