(Same) Sex Sells
Ladies and gentlemen, for those who think the next election is a fait acomplit, Stephen Harper has just given the Liberals an issue to run on. The only chance the Liberals have next election (and I’m not even talking about winning here, but of coming close) is to solidify their base. Poll after poll may show the Liberals falling, but few have showed the Tories picking up ground. Instead, votes are being parked with the NDP, Greens and undecided. That’s a sign that a lot of voters aren’t ready to give Harper the keys to 24 Sussex and if Martin could finally start “making history”, he’d be able to lure a lot of the voters back. Perhaps a bold Kyoto plan would be that issue. At least it would make Harper run on a “pro-polution” platform. Personally, I think same sex might be the ticket.
Think about it, if we have a spring election, the same sex legislation will likely die and, even if it doesn’t, Harper is on record as saying he’ll bring in new legislation to support the 2002-traditional definition of marriage. I think SSM is an issue Canadians feel strongly enough about that it could give traditional Liberals and some NDP voters a reason to hold their noses and vote Liberal.
Right now, Harper is going to run on a “Liberals are corrupt” platform and Martin is going to run on a “some Liberals are corrupt” platform – that may not work out great for Paul. If he has some real left-wing issue to bring Liberal voters back to the fold, he stands a fighting chance. Otherwise, it could get ugly.