Writing in the latest issue of Policy Options, published by the Montreal-based Institute for Research on Public Policy, Robin Sears and Joseph Lavoie - who worked on the Obama campaign - offer an assortment of "lessons that Canadian politicians of every stripe could learn from." Endorsements are another effective tool in the political kit, says the Policy Options article, citing the boost Obama received from well-timed expressions of support from celebs such as Oprah Winfrey and Colin Powell.

Voter behavior