Everyone taking aim on elections

They've had enough. There's going to be a showdown - maybe three of them.

It looks as though Prime Minister Stephen Harper is fixin' to have a general election to get his majority - or, at least, a more workable minority.

He can't call a general election because of his own legislation fixing elections at four years, unless there is a confidence vote.

The three ambushes he’s laid - mostly next month - include conduct and extension of the Afghan mission, youth justice legislation and the annual budget.

The Afghan mission is a strange situation: it brings out the divide within the Liberals - the more centrist being most likely to support any extension of the mission beyond its February 2009 mandate.

A similar divisive situation could transpire over the other two issues, as well.

Pundits are comparing our rather dull political situation this year to the almost revolutionary goings-on in the republic to the south, and, of course, there is a point there.

They are poised to elect the first woman, or first African American, or first Vietnam vet as president. In that country where firsts are so important, it seems fitting.

Here, we're stuck with Harper, the most able of the quartet of hopefuls, but a guy who reminds one of a mean, older cousin who smiles and tries to get you to eat dog poop, saying it's chocolate.

Then there is NDP leader Jack Layton: potentially the most promising of the opposition leaders, but hide-bound with silly notions still extant from the Age of Aquarius, his position on the Afghan mission the most apparent.

Unfortunately, it isn't all about the war. There are other very pressing things - economic, justice and so on - the NDP have to deal with. Jack runs the risk of squandering all the collective practical wisdom and goodwill very evident from NDP provincial parties that hold or have held power - or, like Nova Scotia, are set to.

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe is essentially a nonentity. Harper has, in many ways, cut the sovereignist movement off at the pass.

Liberal leader Stephan Dior: a surprise leader to say the least, ill-prepared for government.

Maybe even with the Tories seemingly dipping in the polls, Harper feels - with some justification - this is as good a time as any for a showdown.

There could well be balloting provincially, with N.S. Opposition leader Darrell Dexter poised to become premier, and the Liberals aiming to improve their political situation.

On top of all that, there are definitely going to be municipal contests province-wide in October.

There is no escaping the circling political bandwagon.