Politics in Ottawa? Why I never...

Harper may have used Afghan vote to ensare Ignatieff:

After narrowly winning the vote to prolong the risky Afghanistan mission, a triumphant Stephen Harper crossed the floor of the Commons and threaded his way to the back of the Liberal benches to shake hands with Michael Ignatieff.   The prime minister's gesture may well turn out to be the political equivalent of the kiss of death for Ignatieff's bid to lead the Liberal party.

 

That may be a little dramatic and paranoid, but an interesting theory, none the less.