Reply #19: White House jab at Martin a calculated move [View All]

The Liberals are pouncing with glee on the undiplomatic remarks of U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins. By warning Prime Minister Paul Martin not to make the U.S. an issue in Canada's election campaign, Wilkins has made the U.S. an issue.

But insofar as the Americans follow Canadian politics, they know that it is virtually impossible for Harper to win a Commons majority. That leaves only three realistic choices: a Conservative minority, a Liberal minority or a Liberal majority government.

These days, Canadians say they prefer minority governments, reasoning that they are more responsive to public opinion. Foreign regimes, however, generally prefer it when majority governments rule in countries like Canada — for exactly the opposite reason. Majorities are less responsive to shifts in public mood.

So that's one reason the Americans would be pleased if the Liberals won handily. The other is Martin himself. From the U.S. perspective, it's hard to imagine a Canadian prime minister more acceptable.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1134774610063&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467

It's getting so bad around here that they are stabbing people in the front!(Harper's nightmare)