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Originally posted by MarchHare@Apr 20 2005, 09:00 PM
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And in that case, wouldnt you want a re-focused Liberal party stinging from a strong rebuke by the Canadian public running in that election, rather than the same old-same old thinking that Canadians will forgive any transgression?
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Interesting point.
I remember lots of talk after the last election that a minority government was punishment for the Liberals and that they would have to be on their toes because of it.
Also, keep in mind that the Gomery Inquiry was Martin's own doing. He didn't have to call this, and it's likely the Sponsorship Scandal would have faded from the minds of most Canadians by now. That alone makes me think that Martin didn't have any involvement...although I'm quite anxious to see the final results.
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The thought of a Liberal minority obviously did not work, as I would be rather surprised if Martin has kept a single promise. Obviously the promise of ending the "democratic deficit" died early. As did reaching out to the West.
The only nice thing about a Liberal minority is that the opposition has power. The Liberals can't sneak trick ammendments like the the little Kyoto sidestep in without threatening their own government.
And yes, Martin did call the inquiry. But, he did so because of overwhelming pressure from Canadians. He also called a snap election trying to earn himself a fresh majority mandate before the inquiry really even fired up. That suggests to me that Martin knew something of what was going on - maybe even all of it - and was trying to sneak himself past the controversy before it broke.
Sufficed to say, I trust Martin a little less than you trust Harper.