On hopeful signs

There are a few noteworthy developments in Angus Reid's post-election polling. But let's start with what looks like the most significant theme, as a large number of voters look to have rejected any attempt to diminish either the election or the political system in favour of a far more positive outlook than they held just weeks earlier:

Vancouver-based Angus Reid pollsters have discovered Canadians became more hopeful about politics as the decisive election campaign raged on.

Canadians' revved-up regard for the democratic process held firm even after Stephen Harper's Conservatives won their first majority and the New Democrats for the first time became the official Opposition.

More than 61 per cent of the population told Angus Reid pollsters after the election they were "proud to be Canadian."

"The respect for politicians actually went up during the election campaign. People got engaged," Angus Reid pollster Andrew Grenville said.

Almost half the population agreed a "Conservative majority will be good for Canada," with a solid 64 per cent applauding the NDP's Jack Layton moving into Stornoway, the Opposition leader's official residence.

Soon after the May 2 election, more than seven out of 10 people agreed that "federal politicians are working very hard to help create a better Canada."

Of course, the question for the NDP now is how to tap into that positive sentiment - both toward it in particular, and the political system in general - to build its movement going into 2015. But a more optimistic populace looks to be a great place to start, particularly when the main opposing message is one that looks to devalue both government and democratic participation at every turn.