The Great Game

This story is from POGGE. Seems to be a representative discussion of Paul Martin's Hail Mary pass.

Jax

I watched Dithers' address to the nation this evening on CPAC, which also broadcast the followup remarks by each of the opposition leaders.

I thought Martin's remarks were pretty much predictable. When the CPAC commentator, whose name escapes me, said he thought that the PM's commitment to call an election within thirty days of the final Gomery report was "brilliant politics", I found myself shaking my head. A few weeks ago that move might have been smart. Now it looks weak. It would never have been brilliant.

Harper's remarks, too, were predictable. He really wants to go now but obviously felt he had say that he would wait and see what "the Canadian people say." In other words he's going to watch the polls and see what the reaction to Dithers' speech is.

Duceppe removed any doubt for me about his intentions. He's rarin' to go. So if Martin's move tonight doesn't pay off, we'll be going to the polls sooner rather than later.

While Layton was speaking I noticed two things. When he spent a fair amount of time talking about what the government should be paying attention to instead of being consumed by scandal, I agreed with him. And he seems to have that big, toothy grin under control. He looked like a leader of a political party. That's not to say that I immediately decided "he won", just that I personally appreciated his performance in a way that surprised me just a bit.

I spent a little time wandering around the blogosphere this evening and came across a few other reactions. From CalgaryGrit:

Analysis of Jack: In all seriousness, he was the best of the bunch. Actually talked about the issues and making Parliament work. The NDP base soaks up stuff like that. The commentators spent as much time talking about Layton’s offer to modify the budget as they did about Martin’s offer to call an election in January. This NDP ploy could backfire, but I really like the way Layton is approaching this.

I've seen a number of people express surprise, even incredulity, at the idea that Layton is still offering to work with the Liberals, but as he himself pointed out in his speech that's the role the NDP has historically played: that of a minority party taking any opportunity to work on behalf of the issues in which it believes. Right now, I think a lot of voters might just respond to that. At least a lot of the voters who are even remotely likely to vote for the NDP.

From Darren Barefoot writing at the E-Group:

I'm not crazy about Layton's party, but he's by far the best speaker, and is far succinct that his fellow speakers. It's also the best-written speech, pointed without being catty. He wins my respect by not focusing on the scandal, but on what government should be doing instead of the scandal.

And from Paul Wells:

Big, big win for Layton, within the limited ambit of his reasonably expectable electoral market: He begins by talking about what government should be doing. Among other things, it's a refreshing change from the previous three guys. If anyone's still listening...

Notice something here? They're all talking about Jack Layton on an equal footing with Martin, Harper and Duceppe in the midst of a scandal that involves Liberal corruption, the possible fall of a government and national unity issues. That in itself is a victory. The fact that they all say nice things is gravy. Who'd a thunk it? (Link)