Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Mark Twain said that more than a hundred years ago. And it always seemed to apply just as much to Jean Charest.

He could always come back. This time though Charest is suffering a political death from which there may be no recovery.

Perception in politics is everything. The truth doesn't always matter. And Quebecers have made their minds about Charest -- 77 percent say they have lost confidence. A government racked with allegations of corruption, dirty money and judge buying.

There will be no resurrection this time.

Crisis of confidence

Remember those days back in '97 and '98 when Charest, Captain Canada came home to save the federalist furniture and fight for the country.

He lost the first election and then won three.

Odds are there won't be a 5th.

What is happening in Quebec City is truly unprecedented.

This is an extraordinary crisis of confidence.

A former minister of justice alleging judges were appointed because of political and financial considerations.

And alleging the Liberals accepted bags of cash from questionable friends.

And that the premier knew all about it.

Wide-ranging inquiry necessary

Charest was wrong in not agreeing to a wide-ranging inquiry into influence peddling and big rigging in the construction industry.

He may have feared that it would go out of control, but Quebecers sure want one.

They want it all on the table.

But to his detriment Charest has been obstinate, and Quebecers will not forgive him because they suspect there may be something to hide.

The inquiry he did call will be narrow in mandate, but these things do have a way of taking on a life of their own.

Unproven allegations

But through all of this, we cannot lose sight of the fact that these remain unproven allegations.

Names have not been named, and until the truth is discovered, this is hearsay, but coming from a former attorney general of Quebec it cannot be ignored.

Jean Charest won three mandates from Quebecers.

An accomplishment in itself.

But governments do get old and tired. And this one seems to be just that.

The good news is that the federalist Liberals still have three years to get back on track before the next election.

As Robert Bourassa used to say, six months is an eternity in politics. Today's crisis is indeed tomorrow's history, and never assume that what seems obvious is necessarily true.