I don't understand why Jean Charest's name has not been mentioned.
- veteran politician with fed/prov experience
- keen insight in Quebec
- centrist
- I could see him bringing some of the old PC voters to the Liberals, if he were leader
- wouldn't have to waste months "finding his legs." I can see a leadership race being rushed
- his debating and confrontational skill remind me of Jean Chrétien
I think that there's a strong possibility that Harper's personality will be seen as a liability and he'll be pushed out within the next couple of years. If the Conservatives are able to replace Harper with someone a little more charismatic, less dogmatic, they could make their way to a majority.
Facing that possibility, the Liberals would be best advised to not gamble with an unknown leader. Charest would fit that bill too.
And a long shot possibility, though I doubt that he could be brought out of retirement: David Dodge, former governor of the Bank of Canada. He could easily make it to the final rounds of a convention as a centrist with a rep as an astute watchdog of a strong economy, and a competent deputy minister when in the health portfolio.
Thoughts?
