Take 'em out of the purse, Jack!

Could it be that the NDP will finally swing the ten tonne bat they earned in the last election? Jack Layton says he has strict conditions that the Liberals must meet on health care, along with, I'm sure, some other social services rolled up in his empty pouch that holds about $4.6 billion dollars.

So the question is, what will Jackie get? Here's my prediction, based on nothing but my gut:

The NDP will get minor concessions on health care, because any help to health care is help to your own party. As for other social services, I think Jack's dreaming a little too big. Asking for the whole kit and caboodle at once will never work, just as Dalton McGuinty. The Liberals can't look like they're bending over for the little NDP party either, or the Conservatives will beat them over the head with that bit of rhetoric (provided they can keep it together long enough to speak with one voice) all they way to Election Day. Don't forget folks, a writ is supposed to drop after the final Gomery Report (in the spring), so every move now is carefully calculated by people who are way smarter than me.

And look! Someone at the CBC agrees:

CBC News: Martin, Layton to hammer out parliamentary pact