Dissent, Discontent, Intrigue!

Robert Fife reports on Liberal caucus infighting:

"Trouble inside Liberal Leader Stephane Dion's office. Party insiders say at least two staffers in Dion's office are leaving - only three months after Dion won the leadership. Andre Fortin and Deb Elson are on their way out and possibly one other staffer, sources say. Several MPs have also been grumbling about Dion's office. They say the leader's office has not been fighting back on the Tory attack ads. They also want Dion to get off the enviroment agenda and on to other issues that also matter to Canadians. Some MPs also appear miffed that Deputy Leader Michael Ignatieff is getting so much face time in the House of Commons' Question Period. The sniping from the "nervous Nellies" in the Liberal caucus is partly the result of recent polls that show the Conservatives have edged ahead of the Liberals. "

Combined with the recent SES (Tories 33%, Liberals 33%) and Leger (Tories 38%, Liberals 31%) polls, this is turning out to be a pretty good week for the Conservatives. Another recent SES-CPAC poll for leadership characteristics put Harper ahead of Dion in all categories (lead over Dion in parentheses):

Most Trustworthy Leader: 35% (15)
Most Competent Leader: 41% (19)
Best Vision for Canada: 39% (18)

Right now, polls are a Conservative's best friend.