Second Thots

As much as people seem to be making much of the fact that Liberal MPs could defy their own leader regarding the extension provisions in the anti-terror laws, my sense is that this will not cause a leadership crisis for Stéphane Dion. I suspect that, like MP Marlene Jennings, most Liberals will toe the party line. So, in the sense that Dion will have smothered any potential party revolt, this might be one leadership test he will have passed.

Now, as to the question of how Dion's position on this issue might affect his electoral chances, that's an altogether different matter he must face. However, if he manages to get his way without shedding too much blood on his own side of the aisle, he will have put his own policy stamp on his own party heading into a potential election campaign.

It might not be pretty, but it also might be an example of leadership. We'll see.

I also might add that what we're seeing here is a good example of why a party leader must be able to exercise power from up top. As much as even Dion has criticized Harper for being too controlling, we're now seeing Dion having to be very controlling. Fascinating.