1. In spite of an obviously disappointing performance, Jean Charest's Liberals have still managed to cling to power in what has ended up being a minority government.
2. The ADQ's Mario Dumont has clearly inspired a message of family values that is resonating more with voters than the old separation debate. And as Stephen Taylor notes, the results couldn't be better for the ADQ since it will give them an opportunity to learn and mature in opposition. An ADQ goverment at this point may have been too much too soon for their own good (and Quebec's).
3. The PQ is in third place and may very possibly be in danger of becoming irrelevant, which does not bode well for the BQ.
4. The strong federalist support suggests greater potential for seat pick-up by the CPC and to a lesser degree by the LPC.
All in all, the best possible outcome for those who wish Canada to stay intact.
But my loyal reader Gabby mentioned in my nuclear waste post (which I morphed into a politics debate), she is a bit leery about assuming that the the PQ is dead:
The one bright light is that the PQ has lost some support. The ROC should not cry "separatism is dead" though. It is simply undergoing a transformation.
Chantel Hebert suggests that although this likely means the end of Boisclair's leadership, the separatist movement will carry on:
Given a choice between pondering whether that reflects poorly on its core cause of sovereignty or on its leader's skills, the party will almost certainly zero in on the latter. It is ultimately easier for the PQ to keep on replacing its leaders than to give up on its dream of an independent Quebec.
I tend to agree that we should not let allow ourselves to become complacent.
BTW, congrats to ChuckerCanuk for a fascinating and entertaining "Live Blog" event last night! I certainly enjoyed the party.
