Going into the red

Yesterday the PM spent a day ranting that the Conservative platform would lead to deficit and the country would be in a financial mess.

In a speech to Vancouver's Board of Trade, the Liberal Leader tried to pick holes in the Conservative fiscal plan, calling it incompetent, suggesting it will raise deficit fears on financial markets and warning it will mean sharp spending cuts the Tories are unwilling to explain.

Admittedly, it was a blow to the Tories when the Conference Board of Canada's Paul Darby reneged on his endorsement; however, today brings new hope from another source. Speaking on Canada AM this morning, Dale Orr, managing director of Global Insight praised the Conservative plan as reachable.

But Orr, who said his firm is non-partisan, gave a more sober review of Harper's promises. He told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday that Harper's plan will not lead to a deficit, and that the main questions are: What exactly is he going to cut, and "what exactly is he going to do on the tax side?" "But he will make it fit," predicted Orr.

Now, to be fair, he also pointed out that the Liberal plan was workable too.

"There won't be a deficit. And I would say the same thing for the Liberal side."

It will be interesting to see if Martin chooses to follow the good news for his party , or continue the off base bashing of the Conservatives. How could he think the electorate would want someone so negative as their PM? GL