Paul Martin's Last Stand?

Jack Layton had a great night - shifting the focus even a little from the Liberal scandal flogged to death by each of his predecessors, including the prime minister, to the business of governance, even adding a shout out to past minority governments. Then again, he also acknowledged that this minority government hasn't worked. But, of course, he thinks it could (and for the New Democrats, it could theoretically work a lot better than a Conservative minority government).

On the CBC, Layton tries to talk about the environment (smog season is here). Peter will have none of that, browbeats him, condescends and changes the subject. If Layton can dig in and fight back a little and show a little bit of the aggressiveness that can make a political heavyweight, the NDP might be the belle of the election ball. Then again, he'll have to overcome the media narrative of the next election as a two-horse race that. Them's the breaks.

In just under seven pre-recorded minutes of videotape, Paul Martin provided something of an awkward start to what will be an unwanted but unavoidable election campaign. The only question now is whether we'll be in campaign mode for two months (oy) or for eight (oy vey). Judging by Stephen Harper's notable quotable: "But how can we continue - politically, ethically, or morally - to prop up a government that is under criminal investigation and accusation of criminal conspiracy?"

Well, since you put it that way.

The prime minister's plea to postpone the writ drop until Justice Gomery wraps up Montreal's second circus will only push the Conservatives over the edge. Like a kid who can hear his mom coming up the stairs but has almost got his hand in the cookie jar, Stephen Harper and his gang couldn't possibly resist the temptation to call a spring campaign.

Actually, Martin's offer (which turned out to be not quite ready for prime time, clocking in early at 7:02 EST) leaves Harper with no choice. If the government can barely get anything done without an expiry date, why would - why should - the opposition enable it once it appears? It pains me to write it, but if not now, when?

Sadly, the clearest message from Canadians the past two weeks has been the utter lack of anything resembling a desire to go to the polls. The Conservatives, the Liberals and the Bloc just don't want to listen, either by forcing the government down, in the case of Harper and Duceppe, or by forcing the opposition's hand, as the PM did this evening.

Let it be noted that the only parliamentary leader who seems genuinely troubled by the fact that where we are headed is where we do not want to be is Jack Layton.