Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobblehead
I agree on both those counts, but the action has still opened up the "I told you so" possibilities in the next campaign.
If the CPC had followed the strategy as the Cap'n laid out the whole mess could have been averted, the fiscal package would have been passed, this potential future election smear wouldn't be available, the opposition would still be fractured, and Harper would have had Dion's weak leadership to toy with for 5 more months.
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I really believe that Harper had two plans.
Plan #1 - The Liberals fold and allow the bill to pass and their party is financially crippled in the foreseeable future due to their pitiful fund raising organization.
Plan #2 - The Liberals as well as the NDP and Bloc vote down the bill and another general election is called. Harper says to the voting public... "See what they did? Another election after we just had one a few weeks ago! Parliament, in its current state is disfunctional. I need a majority government in order to get anything done... particularly in the current tough econominc times!!!"
I don't think that Harper saw the possibility of a coalition at all. I bet it was a total surprise to him.... which of course changed everything.