The PQ's slide over the issue of a possible referendum, and Pauline Marois's inability to extinguish that fire, point to internal splits in the party over her leadership.

During Jean Charests 14 years as Quebec Liberal leader, it is said he sermonized to his caucus the following piece of wisdom: the party cannot win an election on the language issue, but it can lose one on it.

Last night's Quebec party leaders' debate represented not only the half-way point in the campaign, but the pop of the starting gun for the race toward the finish line.

Parti Qubcois leaders tend to avoid talking about Quebec independence too much to broad public audiences during election campaigns.

If you are a successful corporate mogul making millions of dollars in the prime of life, you likely would not be jumping into the political ring if there was a strong chance of spending four years shouting from the opposition benches of the national assembly.

It's astounding how much the political landscape has shifted in the 18 months since the Parti Qubcois took power in September 2012.