A Modern Mackenzie King.

It is hard to argue against the suggestion that Stephen Harper deserves his majority. Despite the inherent limitations of a minority government, he has deftly managed not only to remain in power but also to deliver basically sound economic and social management of the country. After a six-year audition, should we not give him the job? Has he not earned it?

While the results are not yet in, of course, it would appear that there are still serious reservations about giving Harper the keys to the kingdom. Despite all his time in power and his tactical brilliance in remaining in power, even among his supporters he generates a certain ambivalence. For much of the rest of the populace, he remains a divisive figure and a spectre of far right ideology. 

But is that a fair assessment of his politics? Just how right wing is Harper? And what, if any, role does his ideological platform have in either maintaining his power or preventing him from acquiring the stability of a majority?