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Emotions are driving this voter all the way to the ballot box

When I was a teenager, Pierre Trudeau came to my high school. He was welcomed like a rock star! In his honor, our music teacher, Mr. Ball, led the Point Grey student band in a rousing version of Hail to the Chief.

When I was a teenager, Pierre Trudeau came to my high school. He was welcomed like a rock star! In his honor, our music teacher, Mr. Ball, led the Point Grey student band in a rousing version of Hail to the Chief.

After Trudeau spoke to the packed gymnasium, I rushed through the breezeway for a chance to meet him. He swaggered towards me grinning ear to ear dressed in his trademark black pinstripe suit with a crimson red rose pinned to his left lapel.

With a twinkle in his eye he shook my hand, moving quickly to the next adoring teen along his route.

He waved as he headed towards the exit, burst through the glass doors and ran down the stairs to his waiting limo. I don't remember what he said, but I do remember how he made me feel.

Politics is emotional. Why else would a discussion about the wearing of the niqab while taking the Canadian oath of citizenship become such a hot campaign topic? Emotion drives us, and hopefully it drives us to the polls.

When Stephen Harper called the election, I was irritated. Despite my background as a broadcaster and political science major, I cringed at the prospect of 11 weeks of endless media analysis and political propaganda.

With election day around the corner I've changed my tune and I am grateful for this unprecedented long campaign. It's led to countless opportunities for heated emotional discussions with friends and family about our next prime minister.

Scrolling my daily Facebook page, or reading the Delta Optimist, everyone is talking about the election and it's not just about Justin's hair, it's about the future of our country and how we see ourselves.

Emotions are at play here in my own community. Try having a discussion with someone about port expansion, traffic congestion, protecting farmland or the rising price of housing and you strike a chord.

Our community is ever changing and those who represent us must speak on our behalf, lobby for our best interests and address our emotional needs. It's a tall order but I'm confident everyone who's put their name on the Delta ballot is emotionally committed and we must be too.

The party volunteers are calling me at my Beach Grove home asking for my support, but I already know who I'll be voting for. I've made my choice, and it was with my heart and not with my head. I give my support to the party that makes me feel good about myself and my country.

In 1974 my music teacher thought it was appropriate to play the United States presidential anthem for our French Canadian prime minister, something I cringe at 40 years later. Since it was first played for George Washington in 1815, the lyrics remain true, "Hail to the chief who in triumph advances."

We shall see who that will be on Oct. 19 and it will be sung with emotion.

Ingrid Abbott is a Delta-based freelance writer and broadcaster who has worked in radio and television for the past 25 years.