""They nominated someone who nobody likes- a smart-assed professorial type. Not only that but he promised too much.""

Actually, that describes quite a few quite successful political leaders throughout history, and I suspect a few in Canadian history.

And, what politician does not "promise too" during an election? Seems like it goes with the job, most know it, and pay little attention to the election promises anyway. Layton did that also, and it seemed to work quite well for him.