[Apollo]

Liberal Leader Ujjal Dosanjh? A Dosanjh-Rae alliance?
By Charlie Smith
In case you haven't noticed, there's already an undeclared federal Liberal leadership race underway. The only thing that will put a stop to it is if the Liberals capture more than about 110 seats (my estimate) in tomorrow's election.

Bob Rae has shaken hands with voters in Vancouver Kingsway, showed up at the opening of Don Bell's Liberal election office in North Vancouver, and dined with 1,000 mostly Chinese Canadian Liberals in Vancouver's Chinatown. It appears that Rae is already running for the job.

If Liberal Leader Stephane Dion fails to deliver in tomorrow's election, Rae is an obvious frontrunner.

We can also expect Liberal deputy leader Michael Ignatieff to enter the race. But so far, we haven't heard Vancouver South MP Ujjal Dosanjh's name mentioned in connection with any contest to succeed Dion.

Dosanjh and Rae, both former NDP premiers, are natural allies. Both have won support from families of Air India victims, and both would appeal to traditional Liberal voters who've moved to the NDP.

Neither appears overly fond of Ignatieff's strongly pro-American orientation, which manifested itself in his vehement support for the U.S.-led attack on Iraq and his opposition to a Liberal motion to remove troops from Afghanistan in 2009.

If Rae and Dosanjh worked together, each could assure the other's victory in if the next leadership race turns into an ABI (Anybody but Ignatieff) contest.

And yes, Dosanjh has been working on his French.

[Reverend Blair]

I hope they have the brains to do it in a few weeks instead of a year this time.

If they would have picked a leader within a few weeks last time, they could have defeated Harper a year ago.

[Apollo]

The 2 front runners are Bob "Ontario destroyer" Rae and Michael "American and pro Iraq war" Ignatieff.

They both come with baggage.

[ziggy]

Poor Dion,I guess this means most think he's gone?

[Toro]

But I thought he was going to win a minority?

[Reverend Blair]

Yeah, but they're better than anybody the Conservatives have, Apollo. Who are you going to replace Harper with? Potato Pete MacKay? Peter Van Loan? John Baird? Hey, maybe Deanie del Mastro would make a good leader?

The only guy you've who can do the job is Prentice, and the old Reformers and so-cons aren't going to accept that.

[Wally_Sconce]

I'd vote for Ralph Klien

[Reverend Blair]

$1:

But I thought he was going to win a minority?

it's not over yet, Toro. Funny how Harper was the only one hiding himself and his candidates from the press for the last two days though. Seems he's not very open and accountable.

[Wally_Sconce]

Dion couldn't even win a vote in parliment. He would turn tail and run, instead of doing his job.

[Apollo]

Reverend Blair Reverend Blair:

Yeah, but they're better than anybody the Conservatives have, Apollo. Who are you going to replace Harper with? Potato Pete MacKay? Peter Van Loan? John Baird? Hey, maybe Deanie del Mastro would make a good leader?

The only guy you've who can do the job is Prentice, and the old Reformers and so-cons aren't going to accept that.

They have Harper who is about to win his second election in a row. Why would the Conservatives be looking for a new leader?

On the other hand we have Wacko Jacko who is about to lose for what, the 4th time in a row and counting.

Real winner there Rev.

[Reverend Blair]

Layton is going to pick up seats. Is Harper? He isn't even guaranteed a win.

Assuming he does though.... How is Steve going to keep all those social conservatives from bringing up abortion and their extreme homophobia for another election cycle? If he loses seats...and it looks a lot like he will, maybe even some ministers...how are the rank and file of your party to react?

[Wally_Sconce]

Layton will be lucky to make it to official opposition. Harper is already prime minister.

[Apollo]

Reverend Blair Reverend Blair:

Layton is going to pick up seats. Is Harper? He isn't even guaranteed a win.

Assuming he does though.... How is Steve going to keep all those social conservatives from bringing up abortion and their extreme homophobia for another election cycle? If he loses seats...and it looks a lot like he will, maybe even some ministers...how are the rank and file of your party to react?

Layton will be left crying the blues as his lemmings will flock to the Liberals as per usual. Thus picking up no new seats or maybe a couple more.

Aren't you voting Liberal Rev?

[Reverend Blair]

No, Apollo. I've never voted Liberal and I'm not about to start now. We'll send Jim Maloway to Ottawa for the NDP in my riding.

What are you going to do if the Conservative vote dries up in Ontario? You've already blown Quebec and if your prediction comes true about NDP voters comes true, the Conservatives could be in real trouble all of a sudden...especially since there's a really high undecided vote that's leaning anybody bit Conservative.

[Wally_Sconce]

card carrying ndp, eh?