Buckdog

The Ipsos Reid poll, conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global National and released yesterday, reported 46% of respondents said Mr. Harper would make the best prime minister. Mr. Layton was second choice at 29%, while Mr. Dion trailed at 25%. "The current prime minister usually has an advantage in that kind of question," said pollster Darrell Bricker. "But being behind Layton is a significant problem for [Mr. Dion]."

The online survey -- conducted among a random group of 1,000 respondents from Feb. 15 to Feb. 19 -- also had bad news for Mr. Dion on the one issue the former federal environment minister has sought to own.

-Ipsos Reid Poll
-National Post