Why the Martin Liberals are going down!

[maplesyrup]

First and foremost, the Martin Liberals seriously underestimated former Prime Minister Chretien's popularity. Sometimes when you are too close to something, and you let your emotions take over too much, you don't put things in perspective. The reality is that Chretien is much more popular than Martin.

Secondly, by attacking Chretien and his people (they even did it again today, see Owen on the front page of the Globe and Mail), the Martin Liberals have split the Liberal party in two.

The overriding issue in this election however is the desire for change, and there is nothing the Martin Liberals can do about that.

The sub issue is the sponsorship scandal, which is driving the desire for change. And Martin stupidly put himself right in the middle of it. Canadians know that either Martin knew about it, and is covering up his awareness or involvement, or if he didn't know about it, he is totally incompetent. Most Canadians, I think, believe the former version.

Finally the Liberals are exhibiting signs of absolute desperation, and are being ridiculed, which is the kiss of death for politicians.

So, the Liberals are going down, which is how it should be.

And one big advantage to not having the Liberals anywhere near the government aparatus or machinery, is that all these opportunists, turncoats, and appointed candidates like Brison, Keith Martin, Ujjal Dosanjh, Dave Haggard, etc., will not receive all the perks they have been promised, to do these dastardly deeds, when they lose their own ridings.

Oh, by-the-way, the knives are already being sharpened for Martin. It is just a matter of getting the election out of the way, before the real attacks on him begin. Martin's done like dinner, the Shakesperean tragedy that Susan Riley has alluded to in her comments and her columns.

Make no mistake about it, Martin engineered a coup against Chretien, and, in three weeks, June 28th, Canadians will return the favour.

[August1991]

That's an admirable piece you wrote, MS.

I would only add the changing moods of Paul Martin. He is now presenting himself as a left-wing Liberal. God knows what the man really wants other than to be Prime Minister and, I guess, to be young again.

[maplesyrup]

Do you remeber people talking about Martin winning 250 seats around the time of his coronation? That seems like such a long time ago.