FACTBOX-Canadian media reaction to election result

OTTAWA, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Following are some of Wednesday's newspaper commentaries on the results of Canada's election on Tuesday, when the Conservatives of Prime Minister Stephen Harper won a strengthened minority. The opposition Liberals of Stephane Dion recorded their worst performance since 1984:

GLOBE AND MAIL EDITORIAL

"This was a federal election that was lost, not won. Neither of our parties can be fully satisfied with the results ... neither proved up to the challenge."

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"The fact that Mr Harper was restricted to another minority government, albeit a marginally stronger one, means that this campaign can only be viewed as a personal defeat."

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"(Dion) failed miserably ... Mr. Dion should gracefully step aside and allow the next leader to be selected with minimal acrimony."

TORONTO STAR COLUMNIST CHANTAL HEBERT

"Canadians may have handed Conservative leader Stephen Harper a poisoned chalice. Over the next few years, it will be his dubious honor to steer the country through the first period of deep economic turmoil of the new century."

NATIONAL POST COMMENTATOR DON MARTIN

"The Conservatives have won a majority in political power, if not in name ... Mr. Harper will have an even weaker Liberal opponent to tackle with even less money to fight back."

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"Mr Dion cannot last, of course. He may try, insisting he's no quitter, but if he refuses to quit he will suffer a ... mutiny of caucus."

MONTREAL GAZETTE EDITORIAL

"Several million Canadians are probably scratching their heads this morning as they look at the day's headlines and ask themselves, with just a tinge of bitterness, whether it was all worth it."

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