ELECTION HISTORY OF NOVA SCOTIA'S THREE TOP POLITICAL LEADERS

Eleven years ago, Darrell Dexter ran in his first provincial election campaign. This Navy/lawyer/journalist man didn't take Dartmouth-Cole Harbour by storm; but he garnered enough votes to win. Dexter won again in 1999 and then as leader in 2003 and 2006. 2009 marks his fifth provincial election; his third as leader of the New Democratic Party, and the first ever election win for his party.

Ten years ago, Rodney MacDonald campaigned for a seat in Inverness; his first try at provincial politics. As a fiddler and teacher, Mr. MacDonald was not the prototypical Progressive Conservative candidate. Like Dexter's first campaign, Rodney didn't take Inverness by the throat. But like Dexter's first campaign, Rodney received plenty of votes to assure victory. 2009's election was the first where Mr. MacDonald's party did not win. However, the outgoing Premier is 4-for-4 personally; with two of those electoral victories with Rodney as Premier.

Stephen McNeil's first try at provincial politics was also in 1999. For Mr. McNeil, it didn't start out so well. 36% of the Annapolis vote wasn't good enough to beat the PC candidate. Mr. McNeil was back in 2003 for victory; again in 2006; and for the first time as leader in 2009.

The graphs in this post show each leader's election history contrasted with one another. Remember, these three men have never gone up against one another in an election, so the numbers are only relative. What's the point in displaying this info? For starters, all of these party leaders have now lost elections while acting as party leader. In 2006, the Liberal leader at the time immediately resigned after failing to win in his own riding.

These men were all victorious in their respective constituencies; victories gained by wide margins. Yet Rodney MacDonald stepped off the stage last night and was immediately peppered with questions relevant to his status as leader. I believe this comes as a result of our brief attention spans and the onslaught of mass media.

In the 1800s, William Young was designated Premier of the province of Nova Scotia. He was elected in 1851; resigned in 1857; and became Premier again in 1860. Opposite Young was James Johnston. He became Premier in 1857; resigned in 1860; and was re-elected in 1863. Angus MacDonald was elected in 1933 and 1937; resigned in 1940; and was Premier again from '45-'54. Sure, Stephane Dion absolutely needed to resign after the federal Liberal loss last year. I still don't see why it must be automatic and why, perhaps with a bad performance from an NDP government, Nova Scotians wouldn't possibly maybe reasonably view the PCs under Rodney MacDonald as a viable option once again. Of course nobody would agree with that now, but just ask the Nova Scotians of 1940 if all's well with Angus L. Then ask them again in 1945.