[browna]

Watching on the CBC (mistake #1), Mansbridge and Boag complaining that Harper didn't way anything new, and was shorter then anticipated and wagging their fingers at him for implying the seperatists were part of it. Both wearing red ties by the way.

As it turns out, a great move by Harper. He doesn't need to say anymore then he did, or has in the parliment, his position is clear and simple. He wanted to address the Canadian people who don't watch/haven't seen all the soundbites from the last 3 sessions of parliment, and lay that out in one contiguous statement. He doesn't need to discuss the technicalites of what may happen in the next days, and also talked in the future sense, mentoned his plans that are in motion, and the budget on Jan 27 etc...not talking in past tense. He talks about the plans, and the pitfalls of letting a coalition that includes seperatists.

Then Dion, who even the red CBC started complaining about (imagine the outroar if they cut Dion off at 5:30, as ALL parties had agreed on?) not getting the tape in time. I'm speculating, but I bet that the Liberals scrambled to get Dion to say something different, because Dion spoke as if Harper had laid out the steps he was taking in talking to the GG tomorrow and that all this was a forgone conclusion....again, the Liberals putting the cart before the horse, and Dion talking about all that stuff that Harper was "going" to be doing porbably confused the casual viewer, because Harper never mad any mention of that. But I bet the time was too tight and couldn't get another response out in time so they went with the response that was done.

Anyone notice the book on the top left above Dion, titled "Hot Air". You can't write that any better.

Besides the embarassing lateness of the Liberal communications team (mentioned by the CBC journallist on, who followed the Liberal on the campaign trail as a common occurance), and Dion babbling on and on about things, and directly responding to moves Harper hasn't made yet, sure likely didn't make any more people confident of his abilities to lead the country, if even for 4 months.

Even fencesitters, you think the Coalition has the job to make it a clear case why they should form such a union to change the governing body, no matter if it includes seperatists or not...they hardly did that. Harper's position is clear...a lot clearer then a guy who his own party doesn't want and failed the Liberal party in the election, make a bunch of promises and babble on and on in different directions.

Bottom line, the average viewer was looking for a clear reason why Dion whould suddenly lead this country. I don't think this tonight convinced anyone that his organizational skills (rather his party's) the coalition's plan, or he personally as leader, would be a clear improvement over Harper. Toss in the Bloc element to that coalition and I don't think the coalition did itself any favours tonight.