Harper and his officials say they expect the October 14 election to produce another minority government. But analysts argue that the prime minister is saying that because he does not want to stir up Canadians who worry a majority Conservative government would move the country further right with policies similar to those of the US Republican Party. 

Liberal leader Stephane Dion stands in front of la arge photo of himself on his election campaign bus prior to a television interview on Parliament Hill in Ottawa September 7, 2008. Earlier in the day Prime Minister Stephen Harper called a federal election for October 14. [Agencies]

Stephen Clarkson, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, said some Canadians fear a Harper majority.

"His proclivity is to be the furthest right in Canadian history and that has to be managed," Clarkson said.

Robert Bothwell, director of the international relations program at the University of Toronto, agreed and said Harper's goals in calling an early election are political.

"Harper is going for a majority government. That's really the only issue," he said.

Observers also say Harper wanted a ballot ahead of the US election. Bothwell said if Democrat Barack Obama surges in the next month in the United States, it will help Canada's opposition Liberal party.

"It will be bad for Harper. Canadian politics don't exactly mirror those of the United States but if something happens in the United States it will find an echo in Canada," Bothwell said.

Leftist New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton said Obama's campaign would influence his.

"Winds of change are blowing south of the border and many Canadians are catching that sense of optimism for a better North America and indeed a better world," Layton said.

Green party leader Elizabeth May urged Canadians to turn off CNN and focus on the Canadian election instead of the US election, which Canadians have been watching intently.

"Yes, the McCain-Obama fight is interesting but this is our future," May said.

The Conservatives now fill 127 of the 308 seats in Parliament. The Liberals have 95, Bloc Quebecois 48, the New Democrats 30 and the Greens have one seat. Three seats are held by independents, and four are vacant.

Recent polls indicate the Conservatives are leading and have a chance to win a majority.