It wasn’t that long ago that Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff was bristling at the political gates, ready to launch that full course race to the finish line and what we imagine in his mind was the return of the Liberal party to the offices of government.
The only problem with his confident stride and bellicose tones, was that there don’t seem to be that many folks ready to go on the race with him as fall prepares to turn to winter.
The Liberal smoking hot plans to topple the Conservative government of Stephen Harper seems to have cooled off considerably as successive polling numbers in recent weeks have shown everyone, including NDP leader Jack Layton, that an election in the fall could very well be the push required to give Mr. Harper his long cherished majority mandate.
Apparently those worrisome trends have tempered Mr. Ignatieff's desire to bring down the minority government situation of the day, removing the burden of cold weather politicking for the time being, or until the next change of mind we suppose.
So with Iggy getting decidedly iffy of late, there is a very real danger that his leadership may tumble into the same abyss that felled Stephane Dion and Paul Martin before him.
Lately he seems to be running in a counter clock direction as that of his party, his recent troubles in Quebec underlining a shifting disconnect it seems from the leadership and the mainstream of the party.
The only problem with his confident stride and bellicose tones, was that there don’t seem to be that many folks ready to go on the race with him as fall prepares to turn to winter.
The Liberal smoking hot plans to topple the Conservative government of Stephen Harper seems to have cooled off considerably as successive polling numbers in recent weeks have shown everyone, including NDP leader Jack Layton, that an election in the fall could very well be the push required to give Mr. Harper his long cherished majority mandate.
Apparently those worrisome trends have tempered Mr. Ignatieff's desire to bring down the minority government situation of the day, removing the burden of cold weather politicking for the time being, or until the next change of mind we suppose.
So with Iggy getting decidedly iffy of late, there is a very real danger that his leadership may tumble into the same abyss that felled Stephane Dion and Paul Martin before him.
Lately he seems to be running in a counter clock direction as that of his party, his recent troubles in Quebec underlining a shifting disconnect it seems from the leadership and the mainstream of the party.
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Even the inner workings of opposition seem to be providing troubles for the Liberals, who somehow managed to schedule two public events taking place in almost the same place, at the same time, resulting in more embarassment for Liberals than Conservatives and leaving a trail of confusion, a diluted media pool for propaganda purposes and a collection of competing Libs complaining about organizational skills.
More of concern may be the impression that the Liberal's seemingly changing messages and disconnected pace, may be leaving with the voting (though not any time soon) public. Perhaps using the next four or five months to get back on message, not to mention the chance to offer up some concrete policy proposals and options for the electorate will help get things back on track.
A spring election with the promise of changing seasons and all of that in the air, may be what the Liberals need to refocus on the job ahead of them. Mishandle this latest window to reboot and the Conservatives will surely take advantage of the confusing priorities and deliberations of the Ignatieff led Libs.
Globe and Mail-- How ‘Iffy' and the Liberals dropped the ball
CTV News-- Ignatieff no longer in rush to force election
CTV News-- Ignatieff no longer in rush to force election
Calgary Herald-- Liberals backing Harper for now
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