[Firecat]

The federal Liberal leadership race is coming down (it would appear) between our two front-runners, Michael Ignatieff and former provincial NDP leader Bob Rae. Both offer advantages as well as come with "baggage."

It's worth recalling though that Mr. Trudeau came from nowhere to win the leadership.

Is anyone ready to speculate yet? I'd love to read peoples' impressions of the various candidates.

[hwacker]

You really want mine ?

[Firecat]

Based on your quote I'm presuming you are a Conservative supporter; yes, I would very much like to read your views on the various candidates.

I bet we'll be meeting often in the "lists". :lol

[TheGup]

Martha Hall Findlay is great. I'm not even a Liberal, but I'd consider supporting her.

[Tricks]

Please not Bob Rae. Considering I am right leaning, Bob rae may not be that bad of a thing....because then the Liberals won't get in. But seriously too big of a risk. Bob rae is nuts, the last thing we need is federal rae days.

[Firecat]

Tricks wrote:

Please not Bob Rae. Considering I am right leaning, Bob rae may not be that bad of a thing....because then the Liberals won't get in. But seriously too big of a risk. Bob rae is nuts, the last thing we need is federal rae days.

I worked for the provincial NDP campaign in Ottawa Centre to re-elect Evelyn Gigantes (more than as an indicator of my leanings) The race in our riding was tightly contested and we watched the numbers come in with some trepidation. We dreaded losing a representative of her capability at Queen's Park. We watched the provincial returns en masse at a local reception hall. The cheer that went up in the hall was terrific when our candidate was declared the winner. We watched the continuing returns on a high from winning after a tense and hard-fought campaign, so we were exultant. It felt like we were a bit giddy watching riding after riding turn orange. Someone started chanting "Premier Bob, Premier Bob."

We took up the chant, pumping our fists in the air, and under it all, we wondered,

What have we done?"

I admire Bob Rae's intelligence greatly, and his political experience is invaluable but the impact of the Rae Days will never be forgotten, if only for it being perfect slogan fodder. His experience, though, would make him a pretty good senior minister in a Liberal government.

[SireJoe]

Who WOULD a good leader for the party anyways? And as new leader, would the liberal party core even change? Or would it just be the liberal party with a new face?

[TheGup]

Don't be confused. The real leader of the Liberal Party are people like Paul Desmarais, and Warren Kinsella, and always will be. It is a party of backroom boys, very akin to the Republican Party in the US.

[Arctic_Menace]

Please not Bob Rae, please not Bob Rae.....

[hwacker]

Arctic_Menace wrote:

Please not Bob Rae, please not Bob Rae.....

Yes Please, I want to see the Liberals @ 18%, 2 points higher the the ndpers and the 4 above the greens.

[Arctic_Menace]

I have faith in lefties everywhere that they will not support Bob Rae, as least not as a majority. People know what he did, and how he fucked up big time...

[Firecat]

TheGup wrote:

Don't be confused. The real leader of the Liberal Party are people like Paul Desmarais, and Warren Kinsella, and always will be. It is a party of backroom boys, very akin to the Republican Party in the US.

I suspect that comes as a natural result of entrenched power over a prolonged period. Our party leadership tradition is particularly well-suited to such cabalistic entrenchment.

Already the Harper government is on the road to it by concentrating all communications through his office and enforcing rigid discipline.

[OnTheIce]

The best chance the Liberals have is Ken Dryden.

He's a Canadian hockey legend, he's the new breed of Liberal politician and he's popular. Also, he doesn't carry a lot of baggage like Rae or the semi-American Ignatieff.

[hwacker]

Firecat wrote:

Already the Harper government is on the road to it by concentrating all communications through his office and enforcing rigid discipline.

And what you worked for the NDP, you don't say,

That's how you run a Gov't, you are so use to the crap the Liberals shoved on you for years. He runs a tight ship, and so would you with the MSM we have in Canada.

[Firecat]

hwacker wrote:

Firecat wrote:

Already the Harper government is on the road to it by concentrating all communications through his office and enforcing rigid discipline.

And what you worked for the NDP, you don't say,

That's how you run a Gov't, you are so use to the crap the Liberals shoved on you for years. He runs a tight ship, and so would you with the MSM we have in Canada.

He has to run a tight ship or the loonies like Cheryl Gallant will explode their chances of achieving a majority He has put a tight lid on her in particular. Not that i mind but already the backroom is weilding its power like a cudgel.

Alan Riddell (former Conservative candidate in Ottawa South) has learned that the hard way.

Don't assume I disapprove. nor should you assume I am slavish in my political affliation. As times and circumstances change, so might my affiliation.

I happen to think Mr. Harper is doing a fine job so far.

I'm not a knee-jerk Liberal; I choose where my support goes based on the issues and (occasionally) based solely upon the local candidate.

I mean, would you ever have expected that NDP win in Ontario? Do you know Evelyn Gigantes or why so many fouhgt across party lines to re-elect her over a parachute candidate?