Harper still leads 'em in latest poll

The results of the poll, conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global National in late December, show 43 per cent of Canadians believe Harper would make the best prime minister, compared with 33 per cent who picked Ignatieff and 23 per cent who sided with Layton.

"Ignatieff has at least got people to start thinking a little bit more positively about the Liberal party's leadership," said Darrell Bricker, president of Ipsos Reid. "But he's not a game changer, at least at this stage."

Harper's score was down seven points from the last survey, led when Dion was still leader and Ignatieff, who was selected Liberal leader on Dec. 17, was up 13 points from Dion's last tally, explains the Vancouver Sun.

"Is there Ignatieff-mania breaking out across the country? The answer is no," Bricker said. "Harper hasn't crashed and Ignatieff has not taken off."

The prime minister was seen as the most trustworthy federal leader by 38 per cent of those surveyed, unchanged from the last poll.

However, the survey was conducted before Harper appointed 18 new senators on Dec. 22, which may impact any fellow-up results, considering the outcry the Liberals have made regarding they called an "illegal" and "hypocritical" gesture.

Harper outscored his opponents on all leadership questions except when those surveyed were asked to name their choice of "someone who is open to the ideas of others."

Harper fared significantly better than his rivals as someone who will get things done, someone who has what it takes to lead Canada, someone who has a supportable vision of Canada, and someone who is best able to manage during tough economic times.

On managing the economy in challenging times, Harper was the No. 1 choice for 44 per cent of those surveyed, down six points from the last survey, but still well ahead of Ignatieff at 32 per cent, Layton 20 at per cent and Duceppe at three per cent.

The survey also sampled opinion on possible parliamentary politics around the planned Jan. 27 budget. It said seven in 10 of those interviewed said they wanted "the politicians on Parliament Hill to start co-operating so that the budget is passed and we get more stability in Parliament." Three of 10 said that "if the opposition says the budget is insufficient, they should defeat it so we can have an election and clear the air, once and for all."