Now Harper's to Lose

The Tiger notes with a mixture of glee and resignation the news of Harper's rise to magic number territory on the verge of a newfound "radical centrism" that seems to be increasingly responsible for the rise in Tory numbers.

At the outset of the campaign, Chantal Hebert had the ironic political observation of the year when she stated that: "in the coming election each [Martin and Harper] will be striving to portray himself as the natural heir of ... the defunct Progressive Conservative party." Harper has cleanly won that battle in a rout, barring something truly dramatic. I have serious doubts if this can be contained through to a majority, but the next occupant of 24 Sussex is no longer in serious doubt. It's a scenario I first imagined back in April 05 - and one I can certainly live with it.

The current Prime Minister, meanwhile, has finally been called out on the gross chasm between his rhetoric and his party's recent actions. A dwindling number of true believers remain content defending this embarrasing gap between bravado and results, even hysterically, incomprehensibily elevating it as a "principle" that trumps sincerity and honest dialogue. Fortunately, a critical mass of others with less investment in Martin seem on the verge of have finally seeing through the hypocrisy of a weak and hesitant leader willing to say anything and spend everything to hold on to power.

Kudos to Harper and his campaign team for doing what John Kerry could not - present enough of the electorate with a liveable alternative. What he has managed in Quebec is truly remarkable. Canadian politics is about to become terribly interesting.