That's gonna hurt!

These snips are taken from Belinda Stronach's statement before the National Press Gallery earlier today. I point them out because I believe they are the most important things she said in terms of an upcoming campaign (if it does in fact come soon), one because it is damaging to Harper's leadership and national image and the other because it really underlines the sentiments of Canadians if one is to believe these are reflected in the Ipsos-Reid poll of May 7.

OK roll the tape... Stephen you may wish to put on some protective gear....

It is now the moment to stand and be counted because the consequences are serious. I've been uncomfortable for some time with the direction the leader of the Conservative Party has been taking.

I tried to the very best of my ability to play a constructive role within the Conservative Party to advance issues that really mattered to Canadians in cities, to women, to young people, to many Ontarians.

But regret to say that I do not believe the party leader's truly sensitive to the needs of each part of the country and how big and complicated Canada really is.

Hold it there for a second... you see it's not particularly scathing but it fans some coals that are glowing across Canada, and even within the Conservative party itself.

Let's move on...

Also, by forcing an election before the Conservative party has grown and established itself in Quebec, the hold over Quebec of the Bloc Québécois can only grow into the vacuum. The result will be to stack the deck in favour of separatism and the possibility of a Conservative government beholden to the separatists.

She hinted at this in more veiled language in the first few paragraphs as well...

The political crisis affecting Canada is too risky and dangerous for blind partisanship. I watch and listen and feel that the interests of individuals or parties are often placed above the national interests. The country must come first.

The bottom line is that the power of her statement is that she is taking a page right out of the classic political handbook - that is articulate something that many people are thinking but not everyone is saying. Only this time, this (former) Conservative MP is not suggesting that shopkeepers keep the gay workers in the backroom out of sight. Rather, she is suggesting something a little more noble and patriotic - saving Canada from the separatist hordes at the gates....

A. (happy) Liberal