Facing the prospect of a fall election, the Toronto Centre MP called on Liberal supporters in Grimsby to convince others to vote Liberal in the coming federal election to defeat the Conservatives.

He told the intrigued crowd at the Grimsby Pumphouse Aug. 14 that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government is no longer the type of Progressive Conservative administration that Bill Davis and Robert Standfield led, but is the product of a "reverse takeover" by the former Reform party, which created a hybrid, he dubbed, the "republican conservative administration."

"Because of the reverse take over and what Mike Harris did in Ontario and what Stephen Harper is doing in Canada, we no longer have the luxury in this country of splitting up voices and votes for people concerned about the kind of future that represents.

"We (Liberals) have to be talking to people who may have voted progressive conservative, they may have voted New Democrat, they may have voted green and you just have to look them right in the eye and say, 'We can't afford to split that vote.' "

Mr. Rae said he realized this reality when he was about to enter into federal politics. Consequently, he became a Liberal because of the party's chances of defeating the Conservatives.

He jokingly told the crowd if they wanted a more detailed answer explaining his switch, they could buy his books that are still on sale at book stores.

Mr. Rae went on to talk about the contrasting differences between the Conservatives and the Liberals by first criticizing Prime Minister Harper's health care record.

"You have a prime minister that hasn't said a word about health care since he's been in office.

"Essentially they think the federal government should be an army, post office and a ATM machine for the provinces," he said as the crowd erupted.

He said the Liberals have a completely different view of government.

"Our view is that we need a national government, we need a federal government that above all is going to be there for us in our time of need."

He affirmed that he and his party are ready for an election, and are in "fighting spirit."

In his travel across the country talking to voters and helping Liberals candidates, he said, he's discovered what's most important to voters.

"For me the big issue in the campaign is what kind of a country do we want to build together? And what type of a government will it take to build that country."

The conservatives were not elected on "fundamental issues" but they were elected to punish the liberal party for its past, he said.

He said even though the poles show the Conservatives are ahead, that's not what he's hearing from constituents.

"Despite the fact the conservatives have the known advantage I think what's also interesting is when you ask people their voting intentions in Ontario for example they majority still wants to vote liberal."