Source : Globe & Mail

Broadbent's comeback raises an unexpected obstacle right in Martin's back yard, writes political columnist HUGH WINSOR

As the Liberal electoral juggernaut prepares to roll across the land, it faces bumpy going right in the government's own back yard, as well as in several other ridings, thanks to the feistiness of a revitalized New Democratic Party.

While NDP Leader Jack Layton's pitch to left-leaning Liberals such as Sheila Copps and Lloyd Axworthy has been catching headlines, there are grittier obstacles to Liberal hegemony, starting with Ottawa Centre, where the Liberal dauphin is in trouble. Richard Mahoney, a prominent lawyer and long-time associate of Prime Minister Paul Martin, easily won the Ottawa Centre nomination andseemed positioned for a genteel slide into Parliament. That is, until former NDP leader Ed Broadbent was persuaded to come out of retirement.

That has dramatically changed the political landscape: A poll conducted for the Mahoney campaign says that when respondents are asked about parties or leaders, the Liberals lead. But when asked about Mr. Broadbent versus Mr. Mahoney, the former NDP leader shoots ahead.

There are several reasons why the poll is credible. In many parts of the country, being seen as a close Martin associate is an advantage. But not necessarily so in Ottawa Centre, where many people are apprehensive about the direction Mr. Martin seems to be taking, especially his cozying up to Washington. The better the vibes in Monterrey, the worse they are in Ottawa Centre.

Second, the poll shows people retain a strongly positive opinion of Mr. Broadbent. The riding is home to many civil servants, two universities and a lot of yuppie liberals receptive to someone like Mr. Broadbent, someone they believe will stand up for Canadian values, both internationally and domestically. Many don't like the initial impression of the Martin government's orientation, so voting against the Prime Minister's man in Ottawa Centre is a relatively low-risk way of taking the Liberal machine down a peg or two.

The NDP is also an important factor in Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray's decision not to run for the Liberals. The bilingual, 46-year-old mayor was star candidate material and had recently said he had every intention of running.

The natural place to run would be in Mr. Axworthy's old riding, but it is held by Anita Neville, head of the Liberal women's caucus. It was she who rang the alarm about perceived Martin-team designs on several female incumbents.

As part of the Liberal damage control, Mr. Murray was advised to run in a riding held by popular New Democrat MP Pat Martin. Mr. Murray said he wouldn't confront his friend. But he may have been making a virtue out of necessity, since Gary Doer, the NDP Premier of Manitoba, let it be known the party would flood the Martin riding with workers.

The NDP is also a factor in another Ottawa-area riding, although in Carleton-Lanark, it is the case of a missed Liberal opportunity. Steve Hindle, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (which represents the professionals and other upmarket bureaucrats) was actively preparing to contest the Liberal nomination. A Hindle Liberal candidacy would have sent a message that the Martin government appeals to a sector which traditionally supports the NDP. But one of the Martin cabinet's first initiatives was perceived as a frontal attack on the civil service. As a result, Mr. Hindle announced last week that instead of campaigning for the Liberals, he is going to stay at PIPSC to fight them.

NDP founder Tommy Douglas must be smiling in his grave.

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