Finally someone who actually has an audience is saying what I've been saying about the NDP. Here is Chantal Hebert.
...In the case of the NDP, it is hard to see how the timing of the election could make a difference to its tepid fortunes one way or another.
Layton's best shot at the government may have come and gone late last spring when his pivotal role in the budget-making process was still fresh in voters' minds.
In hindsight, the fact that there was not a summer election turned out to be as much of a missed opportunity for the NDP as it was for the Bloc and the Conservatives. It seems Layton got caught at his own game.
MP Layton spent whatever political capital he had on getting the NDP "Better Balanced Budget" passed - which the Liberals have gotten credit for. This "central role in government" has gotten the NDP practically sweet zip.
From watching the NDP over the last couple of weeks it looks like they are going to play right into the Liberals hands yet again. They will allow the Liberals to avoid being judged on Gomery and thus we will have a spring election.
