Thanks for posing this question. I like your Wal-Mart, Target, etc. analogy.

My thoughts on the candidates are that, unfortunately, none stand out far and above the others as an obvious choice for me. I am definitely in the "anybody but Harper" camp, but I am still unsure whom I'll be voting for. I have some issues with all the candidates.

Trudeau is clearly inexperienced and I am unsure about his ability as a leader. Other than that I mostly agree with his policies and, as somebody else mentioned, would love to see him elected, perform beyond expectation, and prove all his critics wrong.

Mulcair has some solid humanitarian policies and the NDP overall seems to have the best platform (in my personal opinion). I do believe that he isn't against Quebec secession (I think it would do more harm than good for both Canada, as a whole, and Quebec) but that's not a deal-breaker.

As for Elizabeth May, I am actually a big fan and I think she performed very well in the debate. She speaks well and knows her stuff. That being said I don't know how the Green Party would handle the economy and that is slightly worrisome. I don't think they have a realistic chance of winning and, as such, haven't developed their fiscal policy enough (to my knowledge).

As for Harper, just no. I could get into all the reasons I dislike him as a leader (and as a person, honestly) but it seems unnecessary as others on here share my opinion and to me it seems incredibly obvious why he needs to go. Among many things, he has terrible policy regarding the environment, drugs, sex (prostitution & abortion), corporate taxes, and terrorism.

Any other thoughts or insights?

For the record, I am a Canadian and am deeply passionate about this upcoming election because I think it is incredibly important that we not allow Harper to continue dragging our country backwards (and to the right).