Some campaign tactics are counterproductive. Consider the Liberal's (BC federal) announcement that they have a separate, or a supplementary, platform for BC. Does that mean that the grits in BC were too weak to be able to get their proposals included in the national platform? If Paul Martin doesn't whole heartedly embrace the addendum, it will look like the BC caucus is already ineffective and facing an uphill fight. If he does embrace it, he has to explain why the proposals got overlooked when the national platform was published and why the BC platform is not available on the national party's website.

The ad campaign showing the three stooges lost in the woods is another example of counterproductive campaigning. Martin promised to eliminate the "democratic deficit". Putting the faces of three appointed turn coats in the face of TV viewers is a constant reminder that the democratic deficit has become a huge debt in BC. Instead of attracting NDP voters, the ad is a constant reminder that Martin didn't allow some constituencies to choose their own candidates.

Liberal candidates throughout the province are also being counterproductive when they remind voters why they need time to sort themselves out. Many media outlets invite all candidates from a particular riding to engage in hour long debates. Frequently the Liberal candidates are the first to mention the sponsorship scandal. That is not leading with strength; it is a defensive reaction that indicates they are feeling a lot of heat.