When watching politicians it's always interesting to observe not just what they do but also who they receive their best advice from. In the case of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien it was former Finance Minister Mitchell Sharp, who had tutored him since he first came to Ottawa as a member who didn't speak English.

In the instance of Prime Minister Paul Martin it has been Maurice Strong, the man who started Power Corp., which has among its assets more Prime Ministers than any other organization. Strong, who doesn't seem a great fan of the U.S., according to Canada Free Press Publisher/Editor Judi McLeod, spends half the year in China and has had several high ranking UN positions.

It was therefore hard to understand Martin when he promised to have closer relations with the U.S., considering Strong's overall position. Now things begin to make more sense, when Martin has started a scrap with the U.S., however ill advised his argument. The U.S. hasn't helped much with its behaviour in the softwood lumber debacle. One possibility where this conflict with the U.S. can lead is straight into the arms of China, who also needs our resources. The U.S. won't let that happen, and that would lead to a conflict.

NDP Leader Jack Layton, who caused this election in the first place, seemed to blow his opportunity to advance more NDP platforms. More and more political pundits are, however, coming to the conclusion that Layton actually thinks he can become Prime Minister. He thinks that his time has come, despite the fact that his party has sunk down two points this week.

Conservative Leader Steve Harper has started to smile this time around, and doing so now looks about ten years younger and now even less likely to seem like a Prime Minister despite how strong his policies might be.

The party leader who seems to be the most likely to be Prime Minister is Gilles Duceppe, the man who doesn't want to become Prime Minister of Canada. Despite his rough start a number of elections ago he has matured well, presents himself in two different languages and makes eminent sense.

The poll numbers haven't changed since the campaign started weeks ago going up or down only a few points at a time. They didn't even change after the last, English language debate. Go figure.

The people of Canada haven't rushed to tar and feather the Liberals for their behaviour, nor have they bestowed them majority either. One sage mentioned, "Liberals will steal your money but the Conservatives will steal your rights." The rights scare people.

There's over a month to go, let see where it will take us.

Märkmed: