Here's how it works:
The mission succeeds, the NDP loses ground.
The mission fails, the NDP gains ground.
Brutal, simple math.
A politician's goal is usually power, not virtue - and like any successful general, Layton is willing to sacrifice a few soldiers to win his battle. It's politics.
I'll bet Jack knows many of his anti-Afghanistan arguments are thin. He's a bright guy. This latest JTF2 "serious evidence" is just demagoguery and he knows it.
But as long as he can continually heap fear and doubt on the mission, it hurts Harper, separates the NDP from the Liberals in the minds of the Left, and may gain him a few crucial seats in the next election. (Providing we have lots of casualties, little visible success, and keep the public in despair, here's hoping, eh Jack?)
The only time Jack will actually outline in detail what a 'right mission' for Canada is, will be if the Liberals hold a minority again and need the NDP. Under those circumstances, the NDP may cut a deal - they'll grudgingly support the 'new mission' in exchange for socialized something.
Or they may not. The Liberals might just chuck the whole thing, depending on which way the latest public opinion breeze is blowing.
But that's still a way down the road. So much can change. At that point, we're into Magic 8-Ball Country.
In the meantime, I'm drinking heavily. It's working so far.
