McGuinty Stays, Hampton Goes, Tory to Remain Seatless

[madmax]

McGuinty has stated he is staying on as Leader of the Liberals. No surprise having won back to back majorities, although one might take issue with his rosey perspective of the economy and the role of the Liberals. They are the photo op and image party, and McGuinty has managed to overcome the image that was formed of him by the previous PC campaigns. It is not that people don't view him as "not up to the job" it is that they don't see anyone else or party equipped to take over.

Tory has wandered around the wilderness. No one wants to offer him a seat, and they tell him to be a good lil red Tory and campaign outside the Legislature. Show up in ridings to help the Feds win, but more importantly, just lay low and keep quiet. Not that anyone is listening. He dropped the ball on Religious school funding, and is not well respected in his own ranks. People question whether he could even win in a Bi Election.

And not to miss a beat, while McGuinty is saying he is leaving, Hampton has made the decision to step aside. Like everything Hampton did, this was telegraphed like all his policy announcements. You always knew what he was going to say in advance. Hampton was a grinder, and the NDP stayed alive because of his workman like performance. Nothing flashy, just a steady as she goes approach.

Of the 3 leaders I liked Hampton the best, only because I believe he was sincere when he spoke. Oh, that in itself is hard to stomach at a time when no one trusts a politician of any stripe.

John Tory is going to have the roughest ride in the next election. It is going to be difficult campaigning, as an Alternative to McGuinty. And Mr. Tory has fallen short, in all of his campaigns, and not made it onto the playing field Provincially..

McGuinty is going to be wondering of the piles of cash he is handing out is going to pay off or if the economy will be in rebound by the next election.

Regardless, it looks like the Majority Liberal Government gets a free ride from the opposition for the next 3.5 years.

[Wild Bill]

McGuinty has managed to overcome the image that was formed of him by the previous PC campaigns.

It is not that people don't view him as "not up to the job" it is that they don't see anyone else or party equipped to take over.

Regardless, it looks like the Majority Liberal Government gets a free ride from the opposition for the next 3.5 years.

Agreed. John Tory's problem is that despite his name he campaigns like a Liberal! He doesn't seem to stand out as being a true Tory.

Any sales or marketing person knows that when trying to compete with an incumbent product people need a clear reason to make a change. Tory looks too much like the incumbent choice.

Trudeau, Mulroney and Harris all achieved massive sweeps by looking different from all the others. Tory just can't seem to get into the middle of the road with all of his competitors.