Premier Ernie Eves has called an Ontario election for October 2nd. While initial polls show that Eves' Progressive Conservative Party is trailing the Liberals by 13 to 19 percentage points strategists for both parties warn that support for the Liberals is soft. The key factor to the election will be what political pundits are now calling "The Brunson Factor." It is believed that the fate of the election rests on whether Toronto Raptor Superstar Rick Brunson decides to throw his considerable support behind Eves or his Liberal counterpart Dalton McGuinty.

Since 8/13 Brunson's popularity with Ontario constituents has been a wildcard in the high stakes Ontario electoral poker game. It is believed that Eves called the election to capitalize on Brunson's stellar arrival in the province. This strategy might backfire however if Brunson gives the metaphorical butt-slap to McGuinty.

Rick Brunson .com has organized a quick poll and it shows that Brunson is far and away the most popular public figure involved in this election. It was already known that Brunson has strong support amongst bored white guys and, of course, the fine ladies of Ontario but it appears as if Brunson's appeal extends to almost every demographic.

Due to Ontario's strict election rules the people can't just write Rick Brunson's name on the ballot and make him Premier. Until we see the light and realize that California's electoral laws make much more sense Ontario's political parties must be content with garnering Brunson's endorsement. Yesterday's opening salvos by the politicians show that capturing the Brunson swing vote is foremost on their election agendas.