Michael Ignatieff should be kicking himself right now.
As if his luck since becoming the liberal party leader, if not before then, hasn’t gotten to sucking already, Michael Ignatieff might just have himself one more problem to deal with. No, it’s not named Denis Coderre–although that might come back to bite him as well. It’s name’s not Jack Layton, as much as Layton and Harper both wish it were. Michael Ignatieff’s major problem right now is Michael Ignatieff. He just doesn’t have it.
His very flip-floppy nature is very slowly beating the tar out of his chances at the polls. And I’m not even talking the Canadian polls at this point–he’s losing the faith of his own party. The sticking to this idea that he can single-handedly bend the government to his will isn’t helping him a whole lot. In fact, that’s what got him to the point he’s at now–and what almost brought Canadians over the edge and into autumn election territory. The liberal faithful doesn’t see a victory in their immediate future should an election be called, but Ignatieff still wants to flirt with one. Even despite a growing divide. He got lucky this last time, with Jack and Gilles propping up the conservatives so he doesn’t have to. That won’t last long–as soon as a bill gets introduced that doesn’t benefit Quebec, whether it benefits the rest of Canada or not, the Blocke Quebecois under Gilles is gone. As soon as Harper talks tax cuts, spending cuts, or any other kind of cut–and, even, a few kinds of increases more than likely–Jack and the NDP are gone. And if the liberals haven’t improved any on their standing in the polls by then, Ignatieff could very well be gone.
To be sure, it’s a very dangerous game of chicken Michael’s playing with the rest of parliament. He’s not been hit yet, but he keeps it up, it’ll happen. And, surprise surprise, Canadians still don’t want an election.
Speaking of Ignatieff, have you seen this attack ad against him that popped up the other week?
I hadn’t, no. Thanks for pointing me to it.