Harper and Ignatieff reach deal [ June 17/09]

It appears that Stephen Harper relented and let Michael Ignatieff out of the uncomfortable corner in which he so embarrassingly had painted himself.

Possibly at the urging of his Liberal cohorts, Ignatieff gave an unwise ultimatum to his opponent –my way or the highway. He was fortunate that Harper wants an election just about as little as does Ignatieff –or the Canadian public. Nevertheless, it was a foolish tactic that could have backfired, with only one of two outcomes: An unwanted election for no good reason, or an embarrassing back down by Ignatieff. He had all ready won a concession from Harper, but hubris made him push his advantage to the brink.

Harper, no doubt wanting to avoid the debacle of another election, agreed to let him have a face-saving compromise: a committee to study the matter over the summer; but with a caveat from Ignatieff :"I give you no guarantees that we can get there," he said. He also said that he feels “that this is a good day for our country." It will be a good day for the country when all parties get serious about governing instead of playing politics.

Having escaped the trap he got himself into, Ignatieff and the Liberals can now forget about political brinkmanship and concentrate on developing their own economical and political platform and show Canadians that they can produce a credible alternative to the Conservatives. Half the electorate is holding their breath in hope and anticipation, and another large group is waiting for a reason to change government; which at this time looks more like exchanging four quarters for a dollar. It is not enough for the Liberals to define themselves as not Conservatives; we need a better reason for changing governments.