I have voted NDP most of my voting years, although sometimes gritting my teeth while doing so. I admired Trudeau and Chretien, and I wished Joe Clark had gotten a better deal, and Robert Stanfield, too - there was a man.

And now? Harper's just spooky. He has this slightly clownish awkward aspect that disarms people - anybody that gormless (just remember that cowboy get-up) just can't be dangerous. In reality, he's the most power hungry individual I've ever seen as PM. He has an agenda which he's dictated to his own party. Nobody's allowed to get out of line, and if they do, they lose. He's clever enough to know just how much Canadians will put up with - note the fast burial of the anti-gay marriage vote, the silence on abortion laws, the care taken with MSI, even though many in his ranks are right wing enough to have hoped to dive right into the past on all those issues. He's come to the brink of outright battle with a number of premiers, and shut them all down except for Danny Williams (presently the sainted god-king of Newfoundland... "Did you hear me say 'surplus', b'ys? I know you did!)

I'd like to see Dion get a grip on his own party, wandering in the wilderness because half of them are still pouting about Michael I-left-Paradise-to-lead-you-benighted-troglodytes not winning the party leadership. I think he's probably a good man, Dion.

I don't see us losing Harper next election, but I'd be thrilled to be proved wrong.