Liberals need a new leader sooner than later

The recent polls showing the NDP catching up to the Tories is obviously bad news for the Liberals.

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey released Wednesday, indicates the New Democrats have surged into a statistical tie with the Conservatives, with the parties at 32 and 34 per cent support respectively.

The Liberals, according to the poll, have slipped back to 19 per cent — the same all-time low they received in last May's election.

But if the Liberals think they've hit rock bottom, they may be in for a surprise.

The Grits have no chance of rising in the polls until they get a new leader - or at least until Bob Rae makes his future intentions clear.

The NDP struggled for months in the polls while interim leader Nycole Turmel was at the helm - not only because she lacked personality but also because she was just temporary.

The last two weeks have illustrated the benefits of having a permanent party leader.

In just ten days, the NDP has been able to re-brand itself around their new charismatic and articulate chief.

They've revamped their website. introduced a new app, and released a new commerical: Tom Mulcair is about families, he will fight for you, he is accessible, and he will listen - the media campaign claims.

The Liberals aren't just dealing with a light-weight NDP leader anymore. Tom Mulcair is a force to be reckoned with and many feel he's moving the party towards the centre of the political spectrum as a means to squeeze-out the Liberals.

Meanwhile, Bob Rae continues his smug "will I run or won't I run " mumbo jumbo and the party executive remains undecided about whether to hold their leadership contest this Fall or in 2013.

The longer they wait, the less likely it will be that Canada's so-called 'natural governing party' will even survive.