Stephane Dion hasn't exactly won accolades as a strong Liberal leader. Jack Layton has had to battle rising Green support (although that won't likely translate into seats). Harper is now the experienced campaigner, with a couple of hard fought elections under his belt.

Access to the levers of power gives parties some strength in setting the tone of an election. The economy is good, tax cuts are happening... the kinds of things that would appeal to swing Liberal/Tory voters

The Tories have spent the last two years strengthening their campaign machine, which in 2006 seemed heavily modeled upon the one that won Mike Harris two majority governments in Ontario. Simply put... the Tories are organized; the Liberals are not.

An incumbent government will likely hold very tightly-scripted news conferences and campaign events. Harper and his team know the strength of good visuals, and it shows. Limited access to the leader and only a few key spokespeople for the party will keep the Conservatives on message for a five week campaign.

The Ontario Liberals may try to get any tough legislation out of the way early in their new four year mandate. If that's the case, it could strengthen the Conservatives' hopes on the federal stage (in campaigning in some respects against the provincial Liberals).