• A minority government has been in office two and a half years.
• Claims that in spite of truculent Opposition, the government has great achievements to its credit.
• Government insiders believe the Oppostion leader is losing voter appeal.
• Overhanging the government are allegations of unethical practices.
• There are signs the economy is weakening, leading some to believe the government's electoral prospects may slip.
• The Prime Minister says the Opposition is determined to defeat him anyway when the House returns from its summer recess.

That, roughly, is the setting for a 2008 federal election. And all those circumstances were in place when Prime Minister Pearson called the 1965 election with his Liberal party campaigning under the slogan "I'm For a Liberal Majority."

If Prime Minister Harper is following the history book as he plans his election call, circle next Sunday on your calendar. It was September 7, 1965 that Mr. Pearson announced Canadians would go to the polls.

But the history lesson might make Mr Harper pause. Progressive Conservative leader John Diefenbaker used the accusations of scandal against the Liberals very effectively.

Diefenbaker proved to be a stronger and more appealing campaigner than the Liberals had expected. Prime Minister Pearson was returned to office but was denied the majority that was his goal in calling the election.

His minority government carried on another two and a half years until his retirement from politics.