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Little upside to Ignatieff snatching the reins of government: Liberal sources
3:46AM
Click here to email Chris Gardner
1/19/2009

Liberal insiders say Michael Ignatieff would prefer more time to rebuild the party and prepare for an election, rather than possibly topple the government next week by refusing to support the budget.

Liberal strategists see little upside to Ignatieff taking the reins of government at the start of what is promising to be a deep, severe recession.

They'd rather let Prime Minister Stephen Harper take the blame for the economic pain. Ignatieff did his part yesterday to ensure voters know who to blame.

Ignatieff says after a decade of Liberal surpluses, we're facing a deficit projection of $40 billion. He says the deficit is Harper's responsibility.

Ignatieff, who has been conducting a cross-country ``listening tour,'' says Canadians sense a storm is gathering.


Halifax (Jan. 2009)
(Photo credit: Dave Welsford)

Echoing the message that has worked well for president-elect Barack Obama in the United States, Ignatieff says the only antidote to fear is hope.

On the Net:
The Liberal Party of Canada

Meantime ...

(Poll: Ignatieff-vs-Harper)

A new poll suggests Michael Ignatieff remains a blank slate for most Canadians who don't yet know what to make of the Liberal leader.

But the Nanos Research survey provided exclusively to The Canadian Press shows Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a polarizing figure evoking strong reactions from supporters and detractors.

The poll asked respondents to explain what they like or dislike about both Ignatieff and Harper.

58 per cent put themselves down as ``unsure'' and couldn't name anything in particular they like about Ignatieff. But 64 per cent couldn't think of anything they dislike about him.

Pollster Nik Nanos says it means Ignatieff is still just a name to most, and his response to the upcoming budget will be important.

Only 24 per cent were unsure about Harper. 30 per cent said there isn't anything they like about the prime minister, compared with 15 per cent who said there isn't anything they dislike.

The telephone survey of 1000 Canadian adults was conducted between January 3rd and January 7th. It's considered accurate within plus or minus 3.19 per cent 19 times in 20. (The Canadian Press, ccg)

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