Stephen Harper and the Day the Fear Factor Ran Out

I can only imagine the state Stephen Harper must be in this weekend. Because it can't be pretty.

Not after being he was forced to promise changes to his anti-terrorist bill. The one he claimed, so long and so loudly, didn't need to be changed. 

And not after the evidence keeps growing that his war and fear campaign just isn't working.

For that's what I take from this poll and this one. 

Not how Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair are doing, because I'm basically cheering for both of them, and they'll soon be working together in a coalition government whether they like it or not.

I'm more interested in how Stephen Harper is doing. And in that regard I like what I see.

His negatives are up...



Sharply.

The Fear factor is clearly fading, his campaign is stalled.

The party has stalled (and may actually be falling back), while confidence in direction of the federal government is dropping. Support for the anti-Islamic State military mission — to which Mr. Harper has closely tied his political fortunes — is, as we told you Thursday, beginning to fade. Support for extending the mission is dropping fast and Mr. Harper risks finding himself on the wrong side of this issue very soon. 

This, combined with the continued poor performance of the national economy, presents clear areas of opportunity for both the Liberals and the NDP (as well as the Green Party and Bloc Québécois).

And the more he tries to scare people, or beat the drum for war, the more irresponsible or insane will he appear.

And the more ridiculous...



Because the economy will be THE issue of the next election campaign, and after what he's done to it, and where it's going, it won't win him any votes.

And neither will the Duffy trial which begins in just ten days and promises to be HUGE.

The Ottawa courthouse is preparing for an onslaught of spectators at the criminal trial of Sen. Mike Duffy.

The Crown is calling a host of Conservatives on Parliament Hill to testify against the suspended senator, including current and past officials from the PMO. Top senators are also expected to take the stand for the Crown.

Make Boss Harper's PMO look like a criminal organization...



And go on FOREVER.

The trial is scheduled for 41 days. But given the number of witnesses and the volume of documents submitted – there remain hundreds of pages of emails the RCMP have yet to make public in its case against Duffy – the trial could last beyond its scheduled end date of June 19.

And let's not forget that two days after the Duffy trial begins, Dean Del Mastro will be sentenced...



And that should also be quite a show. Double the sleaze factor, and knock a few more points off Stephen Harper.

You know, at the end of a long and brutal winter it is easy to feel gloomy. Or think that this Harperland nightmare will go on forever, as some of the progressives I know have come to believe.

And get VERY annoyed when I dare suggest otherwise. Or throw things at me for being so cheerful !!#@!!

But all I know is that where I live the ice is melting like the dictator...



My spirits are soaring at the thought of better days ahead.

And on the eve of my little blog's ninth birthday, I've never been more confident that this long horror show is almost over.

And I can't wait for the final scene...



Now won't that be worth waiting for?

Doesn't that cheer you up?

What more can we ask for?

Have a great weekend everybody !!!

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