Quote:
Originally Posted by octothorp
Problem with option 1 is that Jean is relatively popular in Quebec, and booting her because of her separatist history would be conceding much of rural Quebec to the Bloc. And since with a new GG, the best you can hope for is a prorogue and then an election, the Conservatives are going to feel that string sooner rather than later. And even outside of Quebec, some voters may feel that Jean is being unfairly victimized, as she hasn't done anything (as far as I can recall) that suggests a Liberal/Bloc bias since being appointed.
I agree with you that Harper's resignation will only galvanize the coalition. His best chance is trying to recruit MPs from the Liberals and NDP. A prorogue will give these MPs time to go home, listen to their constituants, and read all the presumably angry mail they're getting. I think getting 10 MPs as well as formalizing the support of the independents is very possible.
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Oh, don't get me wrong, Option 1 is far from perfect... but Harper is behind the 8 ball. The trick is to pick someone with universal popularity, but still someone either conservative, or truly neutral. Jean must know her vicarious affiliation to the FLQ was going to hurt her.
I think its a risk worth taking. Quebec is going pretty Bloc regardless... Duceppe could teach a master class in puppeteering. The question is how betrayed Ontario and BC feel by a Leftist alliance with the Bloc. Even if they lose all 10 in Quebec (which I doubt), I could see adding 10 from Ontario, 5 from BC, 1 from AB, 1 from SK, 2 from MB, and 3 from the rest.