The Hill Times: Conservatives truly surprised by opposition parties' 'furious' reaction

Prime Minister Stephen Harper "grossly underestimated" the oppositions parties' response to his explosive political move to end public subsidies of political parties and may have to capitulate to save his weeks-old government, say Conservatives.

"It was a mistake, in my view, I don't know why he (Mr. Harper) did it? I think he grossly underestimated the opposition parties' reaction because he should have realized public subsidies is their (opposition parties) lifeblood. Now he may have to change his position but I don't know if he's going to do that," said one top Conservative source who added that the Conservatives were surprised by the opposition parties "furious response."

"All of us are surprised by this furious response. I never expected this to happen."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) called a very short press conference on Friday evening to say the confidence votes will be held on Dec. 8, and questioned the Liberals' strategy of joining forces with the NDP and the Bloc Québécois.

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http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2008/december/1/coservatives_suprised/&c=2

The part where Ralphie finally snaps and beats the crap out of the bully.

And he's surprised at the reaction? If that's the case, he doesn't understand human nature.