Why Star Wars is a pre-requisite for understanding Political Science

The Jurist at Accidental Deliberations has a bit about the weakening grip that Harper has on his caucus:

Most of the Conservative caucus have been willing to go along or put up with Harper's PMO control of communications and policy because it has the intended goal of delivering the Conservatives their first majority government in a generation.

But if the Tory slide in support continues, more and more MPs may be less concerned about Harper winning a majority and more concerned about saving their own seats, especially as an election approaches.

And already private grumbling about Harper's style has become more and more public in recent weeks. The fortress around what goes on behind the scenes is slowly being penetrated with non-flattering leaks from inside.

Party discipline is a damn hard thing to maintain, especially once you start looking less like the master strategist, and more like the arrogant blowhard - to your own colleagues. Message discipline is important, but crack the whip too hard, and you start getting problems like this. And no matter how good a leader you are, you're always replaceable. Or, as Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan once said:

The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.

Of course, her home was destroyed shortly thereafter. Anyone know if Harper has a Death Star in the making?