Defection detection

Ahh Belinda. You little wonder you.
To Ms. Stronach's detractors: the writing was more than a little on the wall.
In a recent Maclean's profile on Stronach and in other media interviews with the belle of the parliamentary ball, her views were walking a fine line on the left-hand edge of the Canadian Conservative ideal.
Let's face it - how can anyone supporting the Conservative (or is that Alliance, no wait Reform, er, I mean bed buddies with the Bloc Quebecois) party judge anyone too harshly for backing away from a confused and overly (not to mention overtly) right-wing party made up of people who made a grab for power in Canada by joining forces - I guess their platforms were just close enough, huh? Granted, the Conservative ideology would stand to the right, but Canada has always enjoyed the more small"c" Conservative over the big "c" one.
Why's that? Well we're grouped in with the middle men on the world stage. Down and to the left, often coupled with forward thinking European nations.
The spotlight shines on others and we get to stand half in shadow wearing a smirk and pointing a finger, lightly mocking and admonishing those who have managed to consistently upstage us.
So we are firm on our middle ground, being a progressive nation with a dash of conservatism (handy word that!).
So Belinda has switched sides. Is she a traitor? Is she going to be the downfall of the Conservatives? The saviour of the Liberals?
Well, I certainly don't think Stronach is a dipstick ("Conservative House Leader Bob Runciman emerged from caucus to call Stronach an "attractive dipstick" and a "joke." - Yahoo News). I think she is making a calculated move that may mean the Liberals defeat the Tories in upcoming confidence votes (but let's not give her too much power - her eyes are on the throne already - there are other issues that will come into play).
I have to admit, I foresaw another Liberal leadership no matter what.
Still, Harper's spin doctors and marketing managers should get the boot immediately. I am no fan of his - frankly everything he says makes me wince and cringe and fear the worst for the future of me and mine - but every time he gets a leg up in the public's opinions, his people decide the next best move is a smear campaign against Paul Martin. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Focus on the issues Yep, we get it. Some liberals did some incredibly stupid, short-sighted and frankly, bad shit, but move on. We are a forgiving folk and we would like to see resolution to this and find the best way to move on! The best way that brings our friends and families the most benefit. And no one is buying that the best way of moving on is to say that Martin and his team are using underhanded tactics. That just gets the big Blah Blah Blah - what are they hiding behind all that mudslinging.
Martin's team is by no means innocent of this, and I know that - but they seem to have a better feel for how and when to do that. Harper - basically all's I'm saying is, take the pulse of the nation, get on the boat and make this a fight worth watching!
Alan has recommended that the political bent may not be the best one and that he will miss my journal posts, so maybe I will double blog occasionally - but I'm enjoying writing some of my thoughts on this subject.
take care,
V