Scandalpalooza

In terms of magnitude, we've seen worse, but in terms of frequency, I've never seen anything like it, not even close. Rather than run 30 second ads, a mini series might be more apt, the latest "scandal" has every intangible imaginable. Rather than delve into the salacious, as well as ethically disturbing details, pull back, observe the entire landscape, and this notion of forcing an election on ethics not only looks shrewd, but NECESSARY.

What makes recent events all the more remarkable, these were the people sent to office to clean up the ethical mess. In all seriousness, one wonders if the electorate will ever recover, we will ever believe anybody again, the disconnect between rhetoric and reality so apparent. I would submit, part of the reason the Liberals can't seem to get traction, the voters simply see a pox on all houses, empty words, the political world so tainted, we just shrug and go about our business. This sentiment isn't to say that Harper hasn't fallen in standing, only that he isn't feeling the full brunt just yet, primarily because "they're all the same". However, I still hold, once we force a gaze during an election, this government is vulnerable, they will be on the defensive, there is opportunity for a spark. The fact every day puts new combustible material on the pile, all the more reason for cautious optimism.

Is anyone talking about the economy right now? We have a barrage of Harper ads, government ads, but the paid media is focused on scandals, contempt, etc. That might not move numbers in the pre-writ, but you get a few days of this coverage during an election, past experience paints quite a story, every time, with everybody, in every jurisdiction. Scandal kills!

There is a wave building, and the Liberals would now simply be foolish not to ride it into a campaign. People are focused, people are "fired up" about these issues, don't discount what a bit of genuine passion and conviction can accomplish once the "masses" tune in. The government doesn't control the agenda, we go now, and all this stuff swirling around will surely spill over, despite best efforts. The pre-writ is important, and despite the poll lead, no one can say these Conservatives are driving the narrative. That objective fact is worrisome from the Conservative perspective, we all know what happens when Harper isn't in full control, in reactive mode.

No matter the Parliamentary games, this government will fall on ethics, this will be the springboard to an election, this will bring the red faced indignation of the opposition, this will bring the pounds on the lecterns across the country. What happens seat wise, nobody can predict, but one this certain, if I'm on Team Conservative, I'm don't feel in control of my own destiny and from the opposition perspective, that translates to "go time".