In a story that will come to the surprise of no one, many Liberals are considering pushing back the date of the next election May 2006. PM Martin is talking tough
What I was saying was that, no, I made a pledge and I'm going to maintain that commitment. What I was saying was that a number of our Members of Parliament, I suspect, as they're going into an election when the snow and the sleet are going to wish that they had been into an election in May.
but I would say that a February election is the least likely of many circumstances. Even if the PM decides to push back the election he can't declare it. If he does it ensures that we have an election this fall. Unless that is what they want....
Update: The Calgary Grit wouldn't be surprised by a fall election either, but for different reasons.
...I do however, still think there’s a good chance for a fall election. The final Gomery Report will be harmless enough since it will detail ways to prevent future abuses in the system – yawn. The juicy interim report might still come out November 15th and I can’t think of a more appetizing prospect for the opposition parties than a report like that being announced in the middle of an election campaign. So the temptation to bring down the government in October to force a, say, November 28th election will be very real.
Makes sense to me. And if the Liberal backbenchers keep musing about delaying the election the Conservatives would have the cover they needed. Well if the media actually functioned fairly.
Update II: The Maisonneuve MediaScout weighs in on this story as well. Here is their bottom line.
...To the MPs who are whining: Suck it up, grin and bear it. To Paul Martin: Don’t listen to the whiners. To the media: Context is everything; don’t leave us up the creek with a single-source paddle.
