OTTAWA - Canada's natural governing party may need to get comfortable with its status as the official opposition for some time longer. According to the latest Angus Reid poll, Ignatieff's leadership remains unable to attract new supporters - in fact, the latest polling data indicates that he may actually be causing existing supporters to question themselves.

Of those surveyed, a paltry 38%  who voted Liberal in 2008 feel that Ignatieff should remain as leader. This is a dismal approval rating from the party faithful who have been remarkably tolerant throughout these 'growing pains' for the federal Liberal party.

Many Ottawa insiders have been speculating that an election could come as early as this spring - this presents a new set of challenges for the Party. This is very, very late in the game to elect a new leader, and surely the Liberals would not want to rush the process and 'appoint' a new skipper. The last time they hastened the election process they left themselves with Ignatieff.

This is certainly a far cry from earlier this summer, when the Liberals were polling at or near the same levels as the Conservatives. Perhaps, Ignatieff simply requires a constant publicity bus-campaign.

The Conservative party actually has the most momentum these days, with a strong showing in the most recent by-elections as well. The NDP also failed to improve their standing, and their polling numbers have been fairly stagnant as well.