Remember back when Dion was leader of the Liberal Party, and the prime minister delighted in taunting him? Remember how time after time the Liberals were challenged to vote against the government, as the government rammed through its policies, relying on one of the three opposition parties to support it and avoid an election?
Remember how Harper made a career out of hunting the leaders of the Liberal Party, attacking them personally, letting loose his dogs of war time after time, safe in the belief that the Liberal leader would avoid battle, and the Tories could take comfort in having far more cash at their disposal should an election be called?
Remember how many times Stephen Harper has tried to gain a majority of seats in Parliament, each time being rebuffed by a large majority of voters, who have not trusted something about the Tory leader, and so have denied him his cherished majority?
Now ask yourself how Harper must be feeling now that Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party he leads have declared war on the minority Tory government, announced that they believe the government is incompetent and untrustworthy, and have committed to bringing the government down at the first opportunity.
Imagine that: a Liberal leader who is seeking a fight, not running away from one. A Liberal Party which is prepared to fight an election, with coffers far fuller and a fund-raising machine far better organized than for the past few years. A Liberal Party with a front bench filled with men and women of far greater talent than the lean Tory front bench. A Liberal Party united in its desire that Canada can do better, and that Canadians deserve a more decent, more respectful, more democratic government than the one they are saddled with now.
Now Stephen Harper knows what is like to be hunted.
