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"Some Liberals who expect him to quit quickly and allow an interim leader to take his place are not waiting for the election to organize, with anonymous blog sites popping up promoting former Deputy PM John Manley and former Justice Minister Martin Cauchon for leader."

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Insiders concede defeat
MPs, organizers admit it's too late to stem Tory tide
By STEPHANIE RUBEC, PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

Liberal Leader Paul Martin plays guitar with a band during a Franco-Manitoban party in the Ste Boniface district of Winnipeg on Saturday. (Paul Chiasson, CP)

BRAMPTON -- Liberal volunteers, organizers and even MPs are admitting certain defeat tomorrow night at the hands of Stephen Harper's Conservatives barring an 11th hour change of heart by Canadian voters.

As Grit troops fan across Canada in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide, they're weighed down by the latest polls that show the Conservatives remain in the lead and have gained substantial ground in Quebec.

Most Grits publicly insist there's still a chance their leader Paul Martin will "pull a rabbit out of the hat" and bring home a second Liberal minority government, but privately they admit that they've lost faith.

"I wish we were going to win but we are going to lose," said a long-time Liberal organizer working in Toronto who has booked a vacation to a sun destination next week to boost his spirits.

"I wish we could pick up just enough seats to pull it off."

When asked when he threw in the towel, the veteran Grit said "when we had no time left to rebound in the polls."

RUN OUT OF TIME

The latest public surveys have seen the Conservatives lead narrow slightly but continue to show Harper is expected to win the election and form a minority government.

Liberals say they've run out of time to convince Canadians to turn their back on Harper and shun NDP leader Jack Layton.

An MP of 18 years said there's little hope the tide will swing in his party's favour by tomorrow, but he's convinced he'll win his Toronto-area seat.

"I will be enjoying my time in opposition," the MP said. "Been there before and had fun. I will have fun again."

The Parliamentarian said there remains a glimmer of hope Canadians will chose Martin over Harper tomorrow but predicted a certain loss in his neighbouring ridings.

A Liberal minister's senior aide forecast voters will hand the Tories a slim five to 10 seat advantage in the Commons, adding if southwestern Ontario goes blue then other ridings are sure to follow.

The aide said there's a silver lining to defeat, pointing out that a small minority would make Harper vulnerable to defeat on his first budget vote and see a likely comeback by the Liberals.

"It (a Conservative government) won't last as long as ours did because they don't have the acumen to do it," the Liberal said.

Optimistic Grits say they're pinning their hopes on those undecided voters who they say often cast their ballot for Grit candidates in the past.

"We have to wait and see what the turnout is going to be -- there's still a high percentage of undecided," said Liberal candidate Janko Peric who was an MP in Jean Chretien's and Martin's government until he lost the 2004 election.

"I think people are waiting for the last minute to make that decision. I'm hoping that they're going to see through ... what kind of Canada Stephen Harper is offering."

Another Toronto-area MP said if his party survives and remains in government it's because local organizers succeeded at getting the undecided and traditional Liberal supporters to the polls tomorrow.

"In the 905, 416 area we're winning. As long as we stay on message we'll be okay," the longtime MP said.

Grits are divided on whether they expect Martin to step down immediately and launch a leadership race or if he'll find enough support to stay on in the event of a slim Conservative victory.

Some Liberals who expect him to quit quickly and allow an interim leader to take his place are not waiting for the election to organize, with anonymous blog sites popping up promoting former Deputy PM John Manley and former Justice Minister Martin Cauchon for leader.

stephanie.rubec@tor.sunpub.com