[killer_carlson]

I think the situation Slava is in re: characterizations will be the first of many this election.

There are long time Conservatives who see little "small c conservative" with Harper. With that and some of his strong arm tactics that dont sit well, these voters are up for grabs.

Then you have long time Liberals who are thoroughly disappointed with Trudeau now that Trudeau has had a chance to be in the spotlight. They may like some policy that the party has put out, but seeing Trudeau fumble interview after interview and double talk himself into corners he cant escape have raised doubt. Coupled with Trudeau's tactic of undermining his own statements on democratic reform (open nominations anyone?) and these Liberal voters are looking for an alternative.

As a result, I think you'll see an election where people are more willing to look at alternatives federally than they have before. The NDP is now in the mix in ridings that they never have been before. The NDP have limited brain farts while the other two parties continue (with Trudeau and Pollivere leading the pack) to trip on their own feet.



i'll admit that i'm very intrigued by Trudeau's refusal to even consider a coalition with the NDP. More surprisingly was the NDP's high profile MP flat out saying they are open to it and will do it in a minority government situation. I have to wonder if the party insiders are willing to let Trudeau run with his quips and flair to see if he can pull it off, but that he's done if they don't win. Trudeau isn't interested in a coalition with the NDP because he won't be leader and will be shuffled away from anything important as a Minister if he is the minority partner in a coalition.