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"Stéphane Dion's federal Liberals are constructing an election scenario in which they would try to defeat the government in February, before the Conservatives can deliver another budget, according to party strategists, officials and MPs," The Globe's Jane Taber, Campbell Clark and Brian Laghi wrote last week in their article Liberals gunning for February election, insiders say

"The opposition party is feeling more bullish since the Mulroney-Schreiber affair set the Tories on the defensive," they wrote.

"But [it] is concerned it will suffer damage if it continues to abstain on confidence votes in the House of Commons and it wants to prevent the Conservatives from delivering a feel-good election budget . . .

"That means the new year could see a role reversal in the election posturing in the Commons, with Mr. Dion pushing to defeat the government, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper trying to delay."

What do you think of this possible role reversal from what we've been seeing for the past few months? What does it mean for the NDP? The Bloc?

We are pleased that Ms. Taber, The Globe's senior political writer in Ottawa, was online earlier today to answer those questions and any others about federal politics on this week's instalment of The Hill_Live.

Your questions and Ms. Taber's answers appear at the bottom of this page.

Ms. Taber is also the co-host of CTV's "Question Period" and has covered Parliament Hill since 1986.

She started her career at The Ottawa Citizen and later became the host of a weekly political affairs program on WTN, "Jane Taber's Ottawa." She has also covered the Hill for The National Post.

Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length or clarity. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on participants in these discussions, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.

Jim Sheppard, Executive Editor, globeandmail.com: Welcome, Jane, and thanks for joining us today on The Hill_Live to take questions from the readers of globeandmail.com.

Let's get started with the big picture. Many commentators have suggested it's in the interests of the Harper Conservatives to get the Mulroney-Schreiber affair put behind them as quickly as possible.

Yet, as The Globe's editorial board opined today, the government appears to be acting in ways to hinder the appearance of Mr. Schreiber before a parliamentary committee, thereby prolonging the media circus surrounding it.

Is there a real political danger here for the Conservatives, even though they can argue — to some degree — that Mr. Mulroney represented a different political party?

Jane Taber: Thanks, Jim. There's a lot of talk about today — especially now that we are getting word that Karlheinz Schreiber is on his way to Ottawa to testify tomorrow before the House of Commons ethics committee.

You raise an interesting question as to whether the so-called Schreiber/Mulroney affair could hurt the Harper Tories.

I have spoken to many Tories about this and they will all tell you — they sing from the same hymn book — that none of this is sticking to them.

However, I believe that this could hurt the Tories if there is a public inquiry in the midst of a federal election. Public inquiries tend to take on lives of their own. No one can predict what will be uncovered or where the inquiry could lead.

The other issue is that many Canadians believe that public inquiries are just expensive (taxpayer-funded) wastes of time.

So all this could prove to be dangerous ground for the Tories, who are the ones who called the inquiry.

Earl Anthony, Sudbury, Ont.: Why are we wasting time on yet another inquiry on Brian Mulroney?

The matter has been investigated to death and we will be spending millions of dollars chasing only $300,000.

Is this not tantamount to harassment of Mr. Mulroney?

Jane Taber: Mr. Anthony, I believe the reason that the government is going the public inquiry route is because it was backed into a corner.

You recall that initially Mr. Harper was planning to appoint a fact-finder to recommend a way in which to deal with the allegations made by Mr. Schreiber in his sworn affidavit.

The Prime Minister changed his mind and called for a public inquiry only after Mr. Mulroney called for one.

So, really, it is on Mr. Mulroney's instigation that we are going down this road.

That's not harassment, in my mind.

Ian Gunn, Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A.: Ms. Taber, good afternoon.

How do you feel the parties themselves have performed so far in this session? How would you rank them?

Jane Taber: Mr. Gunn, that's a big question!

I think that the Tories have performed well. With a few missteps (the handling of the Afghan detainee issue, for one), Mr. Harper has acted and conducted himself as if he has a majority government.

The Liberals are still struggling as they try to define themselves. Their strategy of abstaining to avoid an election is causing morale problems among some of their MPs.

The NDP has tried to take over as the Official Opposition, opposing the government but knowing its MPs can do so because of the Liberal strategy. The NDP has some wind in its sails after winning a seat in Quebec in the recent by-elections.

Ron White, Calgary: I know politicians love elections. It is their reason to exist.

However, Canadians are not that enamoured of them when they are not necessary and when it is obvious the next one will produce nothing but the same thing we have now.

On what grounds will the opposition parties justify an expensive election that will show little change?

Check your egos at the door, people, and get to work.

We want this current government to work. Why won't they let it?

Jane Taber: Mr. White, the Liberals have been letting the government do its work since it came back with its Throne Speech in early October.

The Liberals have supported or abstained on every initiative and measure of the Harper Tories.

I disagree that the opposition is not letting the current government work.

Dennis Petruk: Ms. Taber, my question is: Why wouldn't the Conservative do what Paul Martin did, and postpone Opposition Days, in order to bring forth a budget?

It will bring a howl from the Opposition Parties and the media, but it's not like there isn't a precedent.

Jane Taber: Mr. Petruk, I think that you're onto something.

I think that the Tories will do what the Martin folks did with the Opposition Days.

In that way, the government has complete control of the agenda and election timing.

It could also force the Liberals to bring down the government on the Tory budget, which everyone expects will be packed with goodies in anticipation of an election.

Vivaldo Latoche, Ottawa: Ms. Taber, I feel sorry to say this, but I think every Canadian political observer will agree with me if I say: "The Liberal Party of Canada looks like a ship without a captain in the middle of the ocean today."

It goes back and forth, left and right, but no one knows where it is going.

Why is this happening to the once-great party of Laurier, Pearson, and Trudeau?

Furthermore, people say that the leadership of the party has no passion, no vision and no creativity. This is why the party looks like a ship without a captain. Are they right?

Thank you for your time and attention.

Jane Taber: Mr. Latoche, the Liberals are not at their best at this time and they would be the first to admit that.

It has been only one year since they elected a new leader and they have yet to unveil a platform.

Without a platform or big vision piece, it is hard for Canadians to really understand where the Dion Liberals are.

It has also been hard from them to raise money.

However, many Canadians will not pay much attention until an election. So the Liberals better be ready!

James Pearson: Ms. Taber, are there any mechanisms within the Liberal Party constitution allowing the review/removal of Stéphane Dion prior to the next election?

With all due respect, I have listened to the media predict (with virtual certainty) a Spring 2007 election, then a Fall 2007 election and now a February 2008 election. I think it is quite possible that we may not have an election before 2009.

In that respect, it does seem that the Liberal party has time to admit its mistake and choose a competent leader.

Jane Taber: Mr. Pearson, you are so right about the election buzz.

We have predicted elections at so many different times that soon we will be right!

Right now, I'm saying February 2008 but get back to me in the spring for my next prediction (just kidding).

Anyway, there is no real mechanism to replace the leader. He would have to step down on his own as there is no requirement right now for a leadership review. That can happen only after the next election. At least that is my understanding of the state of affairs.

Tyler Blue, Ottawa: Is there any scenario where you see Frank McKenna running for the Liberal leadership if Dion is unsuccessful in the next election?

In my opinion, he is exactly what this country needs to unite the right and left, and end this run of minority governments.

Jane Taber: Mr. Blue, nope. I don't see it. I do not see Frank McKenna coming back at this point.

My view is that if Mr. Dion does not prevail after the next election, there will be a leadership convention, and Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff will be fighting it out for the leadership.

Catherine Wilkie: Greetings, Ms. Taber: Mr. Dion is attempting to invite more minority candidates to represent the Liberal party in the upcoming election.

From your vantage point as a female journalist, do you recognize a need to encourage participation of more voices?

Jane Taber: Ms. Wilkie, I'm all for more women and visible minorities in the House of Commons.

I think that over the past few elections, there has been a real step backward.

Women, especially young women, and other Canadians from minority groups should really be encouraged to participate.

In fact, we need different voices in the media, too. I think it's a problem everywhere.

Mick Wooll, Toronto: Hi, Jane. I read your column every week, but I gotta say that the love-in with Laureen Harper is getting a little much — every week there's something!

Is she really the most amazing woman on the planet able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Or are you guys now buddies or something?

P.S., I still like your column, though.

Jane Taber: Come on, Mr. Wooll! You love reading about Laureen Harper and what she's up to!

Where else would you be able to get your information about her — except from my column?

And it's not true that I write about her every week. You're exaggerating! Keep reading but I can't make any promises that I won't be mentioning her.

And I do like her. She is very genuine.

Michael Tripper, Vancouver: Ms. Taber, it's great to have you here. I always try and catch QP.

I'm a little shocked at some of the tactics employed by the Conservatives and their supporters in seemingly trying to get Mr. Schreiber out of the country.

Is ideology so blinding CPC members and supporters that they cannot see the harm their positions are doing?

Shouldn't the opposition parties bring them down now and not in February?

Jane Taber: Mr. Tripper, I love your question. I think you speak to the opposition parties. They are the ones that have the ability to bring down the government

The problem is that it has to be brought down over an issue. And so far the Liberals have made it their strategy to support the government and abstain from votes.

We are expecting, however, that in the new year that strategy will change.

The Liberals, or many Liberals, want to try to bring down the government before a budget, which is expected in February or March.

Dwight Tanner: Stephen Harper must have thought that Paul Martin was an absolute idiot when Martin authorized the Gomery Commission.

Then whoops! Harper goes and calls the Mulroney-Schreiber investigation.

Did Harper have a brain spasm?

Jane Taber: Mr. Tanner, I'm not a doctor so I can't speculate about the Prime Minister's brain.

However, there are some (I would say many) who share your view that Mr. Harper made a big mistake by calling for a public inquiry.

Tories will tell you that he had no choice after Mr. Mulroney called for one, as did the opposition. He was only responding to what the public was calling for, the Tories say.

Stephen Reid, Toronto: Even though everyone absolutely loathes negative advertising, would you not agree that the Liberals have to step up and get aggressive with the advertising/PR programs going out?

I believe they committed a colossal mistake by letting the Tories define them with that ad about "Priorties, do you think its easy making priorities?"

No one will ever admit they like those ads, but they do, unfortunately, work.

Jane Taber: Mr. Reid, you're right. Everyone says they loathe negative advertising — but it works.

The Tories have been extremely successful with their ads depicting Stéphane Dion as a weak leader.

The problem facing the Liberals, however, is that they don't have the kind of money that the Tories have to do this pre-writ advertising.

The Tories are rolling in dough while the Liberals are still trying to pay off leadership campaign debts and at the same time try to raise money for the next election.

They just don't have the cash right now to produce and run ads.

Jim Sheppard, Executive Editor, globeandmail.com: Thanks again, Jane, for joining us today to take questions from our readers. I'm sure they appreciated your insight. Any last thoughts?

Jane Taber: Thanks, Jim. I enjoyed myself.

Tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day on Parliament Hill with the appearance of Karlheinz Schreiber before the ethics committee!