What happens to brand Liberal?

My dad was telling me that the Liberals (and to a lesser extent the NDP) would never enter a coalition with the Bloc. "They can't enter into an agreement with a separatist party?" Well, I guess they can. This is a very bold, and unusual move on the part of the three opposition parties. The Liberals are Canada's national governing party - but this time they are allowing what are effectively two protest parties to share in the governing of the nation. The coalition agreement will feature a Liberal prime minster and finance minister, and that six of the 24 cabinet positions will be filled by the NDP. Wow.

I never thought all this minority government tomfoolery would garner this result. I know Stephen Harper is a smug, shifty iron-fisted autocrat, but I think even he has to appreciate (secretly) the masterful political coup that the Liberals have managed to pull off.

Will this coalition have far-reaching effects in future elections? I guess we'll have to wait until next week, or the next time our national politicians fevered egos force Canadians to vote in another $300 million fiasco.