Carole James was in Duncan on Vancouver Island Wednesday, basking in the glow of this week's poll results that show her New Democrats in a neck-and-neck battle with the Liberals.
But beneath the encouraging numbers the poll, conducted for CTV News and The Globe and Mail, also identified big trouble for the New Democrats.
It has to do with British Columbians' top issue -- the economy.
When pollster Angus Reid asked who is best suited to deal with the economy, Liberal leader Gordon Campbell cleaned up. Three times as many British Columbians endorse his leadership over that of James.
"I think we need continuity and some stability and I don't think Carole James is the answer," voter John Woodhead said
It's a key NDP vulnerability, but Carole James isn't planning on changing course.
"How do you change your strategy to apparently gain credibility or gain British Columbians trust on the economy? We're going to continue to show British Columbians that there's someone who will stand up for them," she said.
Even her supporters know the pain of the economic downturn. They want leadership.
"I'm not going to let up for the next 13 days -- to show British Columbians that they have a choice," James said.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty.
