They fell on their own sword

[allhatnocattle]

This will not go away. At the request of the NDP, the RCMP are investigating the Conservative bugging of NDP caucus conference calls. The tape revealed Layton explained how he had reached a deal with the Bloc to form a coalition before the Oct 14 election. No wonder Layton campaigned on the fact he was prepared to be the next Prime Minister. After

Comments

[caitdepaor]

"The BQ have succeeded in re-raising the question of independence."
I disagree. I think the Bloc-bashing and fear-mongering of the Conservatives have possibly managed to re-raise the question of independence.

[bronnyelsp]

Where were you in the G-G discussion?!

[bronnyelsp]

As for the coalition, I've said this before, but I believe the only hope for it's survival/revival at any point is for the Liberals to elect a new leader. In fact, the only hope in hell for the PARTY to survive/revive is for them to elect a new leader, and they should be doing so within the next month or so, not in May when it will have been to late.

:( I agree, which makes me very sad.

[allhatnocattle]

Thanks. Layton said the NDP's role was both as the catalyst and the glue. He would certainly make a great condo-board president.

[kali_kali]

If Dion joins the Greens, let alone becomes leader of the Greens, I may as well just stop voting, due to lack of a good party to vote for. *sigh* I hope May doesn't let Dion anywhere near the Greens.

[allhatnocattle]

As a Liberal, Dion is a poor choice. But as a Green he would add an interesting element. He is a nice guy and is passionate about the environment. His current problem is he's being thwarted by members of his own party. But he gets along with LizzyMay. He'll probably look better with a green tie under his collar.

[kali_kali]

Him getting along with May was the reason I was wavering about putting my X in the Green Party box on my ballot this past election. I greatly dislike Dion, and that isn't going to change if he changes parties. If he moves over to the Greens, I'll have to start writing in "none of the above".

[bronnyelsp]

What's your beef with Dion?

[siobhan63]

http://idealisticpragmatist.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-backroom.html

[allhatnocattle]

So you think that? I expect closed doors meeting to hash out plans and strategy. But the attack ads have long been accusing Harper of withholding his secret agenda. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[kdborg]

I don't think Harper will ever get a majority now

[kdborg]

As an update, I've just read John Manley's piece in the Globe and Mail. Manley is calling on the Liberals to turf Dion and replace him now by cutting short the leadership race and putting raised funds into the Liberal coffers. This all makes sense.

The Liberal caucus would most likely unite behind Ignatief. Rae is promoting the coalition and isolating himself. LeBlanc is far behind.

With a new Liberal leader in place, the Conservatives could put forward a bad economic plan and lose the confidence of the House. That would place us in election territory. I don't think anyone wants to hold the economic hot potato.

[allhatnocattle]

Yes it's been on CBC radio all morning. Also Rae admitting problems in the Liberal caucus currently. And Ignatieff saying the party is exploring ways to accelerate the process.

The Liberal caucus Xmas party is on Wednesday and it's been assumed they will hold a formal meeting before.

There are financial difficulties with the Liberal Party affording to fly delegates all the way to Vancouver in May. That's why after the election, when everyone was waiting for Dion to step down, there were some speculating the leadership race would be held closer to home, either in Ottawa itself or Montreal where many delegates live. Many said the conviction to still hold it in Vancouver made little financial sense, especially with bank loans they would need being so hard to secure right now.

[kdborg]

With the Liberals poised to have a competent leader, Harper is looking more unpalatable for the Conservatives. I wouldn't be surprised if Conservative leadership candidates are starting to talk.