Corner Brook -
Two events converge this week ... both of which may impact the lay of the land politically. First today, Liberal Marshall Dean, the newest member for the Straits-White Bay North, will be sworn in at Government House.
Then Thursday, the people of Terra Nova will go to the polls and choose a new member to represent them in the House of Assembly.
Dean won his seat in a close battle ... but regardless of the margin, he did defeat the Tory candidate who had plenty of backing from provincial cabinet minister and Premier Danny Williams.
One byelection loss by the popular premier may be considered a fluke ... but if the Liberals or the New Democrats can manage to pull off a win in Terra Nova, political wheels will begin turning and tongues wagging.
Poll after poll have shown the PC government and the premier himself at record highs.
Two byelection losses in a row may change that outlook.
The Tories are in the middle of their second mandate and have had some serious negative issues to juggle of late - some of which they created themselves like the lab and X-ray fiascoes in Flower's Cove and Lewisporte.
If they come out on the shot end of the vote Thursday it may be considered more than one group of disgruntled citizens sending a message to the government.
A single byelection loss is one thing ... could two defeats be a trend?
