Queen Lear?

      That's the impression one might get from Jeffrey Simpson's piece today on Sheila Copps, whose political future will be determined today. The only thing missing is an explicit association of the people of Hamilton as poor, naked wretches.

      Today should be interesting, with its Thunderdome intensity (two men, er, people enter, one person leaves), and whatever happens this is going to have *nasty* ramifications when the federal election is called. I think what pundits are overlooking in this scenario-- and the pundits, nation-wide, have been watching, very much so-- is the spite factor which tends, however barely, to favour Ms Copps. Hamilton may very well put spite ahead of self-interest. Whoever wins, though, the subsequent factionalism will only make the electoral contest more intense and more vicious. Even if, for example, the Grits nominate Valeri, how will this go over with the general populace? Even if they vote to retain Copps, will the people of the riding send her back? Ladies and gentlemen, this is politics as bloodsport, something we're not that used to seeing in Canada. Whoever wins the nomination today may discover that s/he may just have inherited a crown of eggshells. The other parties smell the blood in the water, and both the NDP and the Conservatives have their best chance in two decades of taking a Liberal stronghold. Jack Layton and the Leader-To-Be-Named-Later must be absolutely giddy with anticipation.