Original sentence: Graham defended their absense arguing that, as NDP leader Elizabeth Weir was also absent, it was impossible to defeat the government and he did not see the need to whip his members.Graham received criticism as, when the vote was held, two of his members were absent.Graham's upward momentum continued when, in an opinion poll released on December 9, 2004, the Liberals expanded their lead over the Conservatives to 46% to 36% but also, for the first time since Graham became leader, he was the preferred choice of New Brunswickers for premier beating the incumbent Bernard Lord 34% to 27%.In the spring session of the legislature, Graham attempted to pass a snap motion of no confidence on during his speech on the budget.There was brief excitement on Liberal benches as less than half of the government caucus was present for Graham's speech, however the speaker ruled that the vote would be held along with the main budget motion at the end of the following week
Edited sentence: A non confidence vote against the government failed when Graham could not even get all his members in the Legislature for the vote.As time progressed his new staff failed to give him the momentum he had wanted.But after the new staff came on, he started to go downward again.He hired staff from Ottawa, former members of the Chretien team.His numbers in the polls, taken before he fired his old staff, had him leading.The previous polls had the Liberals expanded their lead over the Conservatives to 46% to 36% but also, for the first time since Graham became leader, he was the preferred choice of New Brunswickers for premier beating the incumbent Bernard Lord 34% to 27%