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In defence of Mr. Ignatieff, it's not like the NDP have ever really had the support necessary to even form an opposition before. If things go the way the polls are now indicating, it'll be an unprecedented win for them.
But that's a flimsy defence, and when I'm not playing devil's advocate I have to admit it was a rather horrible gaffe, particularly in light of what we're seeing now. The Libs needed Ignatieff to come out very strong in the campaign, and he's done rather the opposite I think.
I still don't imagine that the NDP will have enough support to take the house directly, but if they do get the opposition to a Conservative minority I could definitely imagine Mr. Layton finding his way to the PM's office by way of the back door -- that dirty C word that Mr. Harper hates so very much, the coalition, could be Layton's ticket in.
I suspect a big part of this newfound support is coming from the youth mobilization that we're seeing. It was a bit out of left field -- historically, voter apathy tends to be very high in the 18-34 age bracket.
If nothing else, I support the NDP as advocates of voting reform. There are worse systems than FTTP, but not many and not by much.
Like Leto, my riding is something of a Liberal bastion, so I'm more or less free to vote as my whims take me.
At no point would I have predicted this turn of events. I'm not confident in making any predictions at this point, except that things promise to be very interesting.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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