Isn't it Ironic?

In the words of the immortal Chris (Shepp) Sheppard, Canadian Politics is CRA-ZY!

Who would have thought that in just 5 short years a complete role reversal between the Liberals and Conservatives could have happened. In 2003, it looked like the Liberal Party would have an eternal stranglehold on the country. The Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives were still slogging it out. Peter McKay would be crowned leader later in the year on the basis he wouldn't move to merge the two parties. Then in 2004 it was like the big bang when the Conservative Party of Canada was born and the Progressive Conservative Party was cast aside.

In 2004, the great hegemon of Canada, the Liberal Party was reduced to a minority government. Conservatives were greatly encouraged, or should I say ecstatic. Liberals were demoralized knowing full well that the internal feud between Chretien and Martin had done its job. The divided party could no longer stand. The sponsorship scandal was wreaking havoc in Quebec and the rest of the country. It should be noted here, that the current slump of the Bloc in Quebec had started in 2001. Nationalism in Quebec was given fuel by the sponsorship scandal. Now that the scandal is past history, the Bloc is resuming its downward slope. It will be interesting to watch this election play out in Quebec. Will the Bloc fade away? Will its raison d'etre light anew?

In May 2005 when it looked like Martin's government would fall, we had the eleventh hour defection. Then the inevitable election just a few months later which saw the Liberal party banished to the opposition benches. And so gave rise to the Conservative Party of Canada, surviving the longest minority run in Canadian history. And here we are in 2008, looking at the real implosion of the Liberal Party.

It's stunning, actually. And a classic case of irony. But to say this is a surprise would be false. From the first day that Stephane Dion emerged as the leader, shocked Conservatives across the country pinched themselves to make sure they weren't dreaming. Did the Liberals just commit suicide?

Dion was an innocent naive babe brought into the world of politics. The country's punditry gave a collective 'ooh' and waited for this new babe of politics to get his legs and become a warrior. Instead, he bought a new pair of glasses. It was only a matter of time. This new babe would be eaten alive.

It was a colossal mistake, but the party made its choice. Now they will pay the price, just as the Alliance Party paid the price when they had their little mutiny back in 2002. Remember when Stockwell Day was the laughing stock? The parallels are uncanny (but like a pheonix from the ashes, the Liberal party will rise again).

There's little doubt that Harper will hand Dion his hat in the debates. And on October 15th, the Liberal Party will show Dion the door.

Greg Weston may have said that politics in Canada is 'stupid', but right now, it's damn fun to watch.

At this time, I would like to offer my sincere best wishes for victory to the following candidates:

Lois Brown, Newmarket-Aurora
Rob Zandee, BC Interior
Peter Kent, Thornhill
Lisa Raitt, Halton
Tony Clement, Parry-Sound Muskoka
Garry Labell, Sudbury
Michael Chong, Wellington-Halton Hills

Good luck to you all!