Battle-ready

With the campaign winding down and the two other federal leaders imploding in different ways, it's worth noting that the New Democrats are peaking at just the right time judging from the results of Jack Layton's latest Quebec rally:

More than 600 NDP supporters repeatedly shouted "no more war" as party leader Jack Layton spoke yesterday at his largest Quebec rally yet.

In these final days of the campaign, Layton made a last-ditch push yesterday to sway voters to his team and in particular delivered a message not to waste ballots on the Bloc Québécois.

Layton's anti-war message and his call to bring Canadian soldiers home from Afghanistan has been well received in Montreal, which has a long history of opposing war.

"My first anti-Vietnam war protest was held right here in the streets of Montreal when I was at McGill (University) so there are long and deep (anti-war) roots here in Quebec," he said.

Now, it's noteworthy enough that Layton's campaign is reaching a high point in both numbers and energy just in time for Tuesday's vote - raising the likelihood that the New Democrats will similarly be able to hit highs in support at the polls.

But perhaps even more interesting is the contrast between the warm reception for Layton, and the protesters who greeted Harper as he tried to salvage seats in Quebec. And the difference in direction and supporter enthusiasm between the two parties raises a substantial possibility that by this time Wednesday, the New Democrats may hold more seats in Quebec than the party which once mapped out its road to a majority through the province.

Update: Here's another great point of comparison from Harper's Quebec City event today:

(T)he event had an odd flat air to it, as the crowd of about 350 was subdued, not revved up. And there was no wrap-up, no finale, no flourishing finish. Harper and his wife appeared somewhat at a loss as to where to turn next.

Your Harper campaign at the moment: flat, subdued and directionless.