Harper in BC to beat back surging NDP

In spite of losing a couple of candidates for their association with pot, the NDP seems to be doing well in B.C. No doubt the unpopularity of the provincial Liberals is a factor. Even though Layton seems to be inconsistent in running as if he might be the prime minister and at the same time talking about a possible coalition with the Liberals. I guess the kinder term would be that Layton is hedging his bets. His being prime-minister is a very very long long shot. What are the odds? This is from the Canadian Press.

Harper in B.C. to beat back surging NDP
30 minutes ago
OTTAWA — Stephen Harper will likely have the New Democrats in his crosshairs as he tours British Columbia Wednesday, where polls suggest the NDP are running a close second to the Tories.
The Conservative prime minister says the prospect of an NDP-Liberal coalition government would be a violation of the will of Canadian voters. He says the next Parliament would be duty-bound to let the Tories form a government if they get a minority of seats in the Oct. 14 election.
Jack Layton - who has mused about co-operating with the Liberals after the election - will likely have choice words for Harper when the NDP leader returns to B.C. tonight.
Layton's starting his day at a soon-to-be-mothballed sawmill in northern Ontario with provincial party leader Howard Hampton.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, who is in Winnipeg Wednesday, is playing down the notion of a coalition, but hasn't ruled it out entirely.
He says he's good at working with others, but says he'd first have to win the job of prime minister on election day.