The conservatives are fumbling every single play they make.

Okay - why do the conservatives want to force an election now? They think that public outrage over testimony at Gomery will send votes their way. For weeks they hammered the Liberals in question period over what was going on at the inquiry and by doing so ensured nightly media attention focused on the actual testimony AND question period. A double dose of bad news for the goverment. It was working. The Liberals were taking a beating in the polls.

Then they reach the point of no return and say they will bring down the government as soon as possible. The anouncement came just after the Liberals and NDP reach an agreement over a change to the budget - which in Harpers view at the time was the worst thing he has ever witnessed in his life in the house.

So, having passed the point of no return the Conservatives started doing everything they could to make good on their promise to bring down the government. And in doing so all media attention focussed on what they were up to. And after Tuesday's non-non-confidence vote its virtually the only thing the media was covering.

There was still the coverage of Gomery, but the antics on the hill were much sexier for the media to cover. There was a lot of air time to be filled getting everyone's oppinion about what was going on.

The Conservatives were so wrapped up in their power play they spent less time hammering the Liberals on Gomery. And then in the stupidest move yet, the Conservatives and Bloq sent everyone home early 3 days in a row. Its really hard to attack the government in the house when nobody is there.

The only thing that was working seemed to have been taken out of the play book. And the only play they were running was a loser in publics oppinion.

People have noted the 'bounce' in Liberal support. No wonder. Not having been reminded for two weeks about the scandle made it easy for people to foget. Now everyone's focus is on how much of a circus parlement has become - and most point the blame at the instigators (i.e. the Conservatives and the Bloq).

Fumble after fumble has the Conservatives 3rd and long backed up against their goal line with the clock winding down. The Liberals are in a prevent deffence. The conservatives could still make a first down with time left on the clock - but it won't leave them with much of a chance to win the game... especially not when they bring down the government on a fairly popular budget.

andre