Far from being energized with many more seats in the House of Commons Stephen Harper came out of the 2004 election depressed, saying he would have to consider his future.
His depression was the product of two fundamental errors. He underestimated the resiliency of Martin and the Liberal party, which is bigger, stronger and more ruthless than the Conservatives.
His second error was to believe the pollsters, seat projectionists and his own strategists who predicted he would win at least minority.
Added to Harper's depression was what to do with the extremist MP's who had caused bad press for the party during the election, and who were just reelected in their ridings.
