Liberal Leadership 2009

jdobbin · October 28, 2008

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

"Although I have been deeply moved by expressions of support for me from across the country, I have not been persuaded to change my long-standing resolve to exit public life for good," the 60-year-old McKenna said in a news release.
" My only regret is that I cannot honour the expectations of friends and supporters who have shown enormous loyalty to me."

He probably would have been anointed to the position had he tried.

Still, he has been out for a while now. No telling what sort of rust could be there had he campaigned. Turner proved that being out for a while on Bay Street was enough to lose the touch in terms of speaking style and public demeanour.

Edited October 28, 2008 by jdobbin

Mr.Canada · October 28, 2008

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories
He probably would have been anointed to the position had he tried.

Still, he has been out for a while now. No telling what sort of rust could be there has he campaigned. Turner proved that being out for a while on Bay Street was enough to lose the touch in terms of speaking style and public demeanour.

It is an Anglo turn to run the party if they keep up with the way it has gone.

I read in the paper today that John Manley was gauging whether to run or not. If he runs, he most likely would have my vote if cleans up the Liberal Party and gets everyone in line.

EDIT-Good article, thanks for sharing.

Edited October 28, 2008 by Mr.Canada

Oleg Bach · October 28, 2008

It is an Anglo turn to run the party if they keep up with the way it has gone.
I read in the paper today that John Manley was gauging whether to run or not. If he runs, he most likely would have my vote if cleans up the Liberal Party and gets everyone in line.

EDIT-Good article, thanks for sharing.

No comment.

Topaz · October 28, 2008

No comment.

I'll comment,I wouldn't vote for the LIbs if Manley was leader because he with McKenna helped draft the NAU and very quietly I may add.

M.Dancer · October 28, 2008

I'll comment,I wouldn't vote for the LIbs if Manley was leader because he with McKenna helped draft the NAU and very quietly I may add.

How does someone draft what doesn't exist except in your mind and your chinese toaster? Are you saying he has access to your mind? Was he bored there or incredibly bored there? Maybe you need to double up on the tinfoil and line it with thought repelling marmite.

Smallc · October 28, 2008

I like John Manley aside from the fact that he's a republican.

Keepitsimple · October 28, 2008

How does someone draft what doesn't exist except in your mind and your chinese toaster? Are you saying he has access to your mind? Was he bored there or incredibly bored there? Maybe you need to double up on the tinfoil and line it with thought repelling marmite.

That's worth a couple of chuckles...and maybe a chortle. Maybe he helped draft the draft. I believe I heard that Topaz has relatives in Roswell.

Sir Bandelot · October 29, 2008

I believe the answer for the Liberals has nothing to do with choosing one of the "Old Guard". The best thing they could do is bring in a fresh face, preferably a younger person, good looking, well informed and outspoken. How about Bono

Mr.Canada · October 29, 2008

How does someone draft what doesn't exist except in your mind and your chinese toaster? Are you saying he has access to your mind? Was he bored there or incredibly bored there? Maybe you need to double up on the tinfoil and line it with thought repelling marmite.

I love Marmite. That's not fair to the Marmite. What has it done to you

Bryan · October 29, 2008

McKenna not wanting the job I would think has more to do with the state of the party than he's letting on. To win the leadership of the Liberals right now is essentially winning a poison chalice. I think anyone who is really worthy of the job would also be smart enough to know not to go anywhere near it.

White Doors · October 29, 2008

It is an Anglo turn to run the party if they keep up with the way it has gone.
I read in the paper today that John Manley was gauging whether to run or not. If he runs, he most likely would have my vote if cleans up the Liberal Party and gets everyone in line.

EDIT-Good article, thanks for sharing.

Frank McKenna is an Anglo

Sir Bandelot · October 29, 2008

Frank McKenna is an Anglo

But he dont want the job chachi. How many times we gotta tell you dat

White Doors · October 29, 2008

But he dont want the job chachi. How many times we gotta tell you dat

I am aware of that, please do try and keep up

Mr.Canada · October 29, 2008

Frank McKenna is an Anglo

Very good. As are all the candidates in case you hadn't noticed

White Doors · October 29, 2008

Very good. As are all the candidates in case you hadn't noticed

I didn't realize Dominic Leblanc was an Anglo...

fellowtraveller · October 29, 2008

Dion chooses to stay on as leader.....

McKenna, a very electable guy, decides not to run.

The Tories must be very pleased so far.

Sir Bandelot · October 29, 2008

I am aware of that, please do try and keep up

You mean read about all the things you think are good? Naa

White Doors · October 29, 2008

You mean read about all the things you think are good? Naa

I don't even know what this means

PoliticalCitizen · October 29, 2008

I'll comment,I wouldn't vote for the LIbs if Manley was leader because he with McKenna helped draft the NAU and very quietly I may add.

I really liked Manley too, too bad he lost to Martin and isn't running anymore.

Now I'm rooting for Ignatieff.

Sir Bandelot · October 29, 2008

I don't even know what this means

What no habla? Let me explain it to you in your native NB tongue

...

jdobbin · October 29, 2008

McKenna not wanting the job I would think has more to do with the state of the party than he's letting on. To win the leadership of the Liberals right now is essentially winning a poison chalice. I think anyone who is really worthy of the job would also be smart enough to know not to go anywhere near it.

I think you are reading far too much into it. A lot of provincial politicians choose not to go into federal politics. I can think of many from a number of parties who don't make the jump.

jdobbin · October 29, 2008

Dion chooses to stay on as leader.....
McKenna, a very electable guy, decides not to run.

The Tories must be very pleased so far.

Since any candidate is probably a stronger choice than Dion, Harper can't be all that pleased. He won another minority when the Liberals were at their weakest. Not exactly good news.

fellowtraveller · October 29, 2008

Since any candidate is probably a stronger choice than Dion, Harper can't be all that pleased. He won another minority when the Liberals were at their weakest. Not exactly good news.

Lets review.

Dion, who is generally acknowledged as being weak on his feet in the House, decides to stay until a successor is chosen. He will continue his tradition of feeble handwringing, at best. Advantage Harper for quite some time.

The guy most likely to beat Harper was IMO without a doubt McKenna. Another dragon slain without any fight at all. The Liberals can throw recycled has beens at him indefintiely and get... nowhere. But, I truly hope that the Libs think Ignatieff, Rae or both can capture the fancy of Canadians in any significant way. They made this mistake once, and looks like they cheerfully will again soon. I don't see either of the frontrunners as a significant upgrade to Dion anyway. Either will spend their initial time as Lib leader just like Dion did: pretending to oppose the govt action, then voting with the govt to avoid an election. Advantage Harper again.

jdobbin · October 29, 2008

Lets review.
Dion, who is generally acknowledged as being weak on his feet in the House, decides to stay until a successor is chosen. He will continue his tradition of feeble handwringing, at best. Advantage Harper for quite some time.

That's why I say the Tories will call an election in the next six months to take advantage. However, I keep hearing Conservative supporters say that will never happen.

The guy most likely to beat Harper was IMO without a doubt McKenna. Another dragon slain without any fight at all.

I heard the same thing about Turner but he had so much rust coming back that I wonder how smooth a jump back to public life would be for McKenna.

The Liberals can throw recycled has beens at him indefintiely and get... nowhere. But, I truly hope that the Libs think Ignatieff, Rae or both can capture the fancy of Canadians in any significant way. They made this mistake once, and looks like they cheerfully will again soon. I don't see either of the frontrunners as a significant upgrade to Dion anyway. Either will spend their initial time as Lib leader just like Dion did: pretending to oppose the govt action, then voting with the govt to avoid an election. Advantage Harper again.

I think we go to an election even before the Liberals get a leader. I think Harper knows full well that anyone aside from Dion would spell trouble for him.

If Harper and the NDP and BQ want to play brinkmanship again, I expect we are back to an election in December. The throne speech will be supported but if Harper wants to make every vote a confidence vote, we are back to the polls again.

drewski · October 30, 2008

I believe the answer for the Liberals has nothing to do with choosing one of the "Old Guard". The best thing they could do is bring in a fresh face, preferably a younger person, good looking, well informed and outspoken. How about Bono

while he does have ties to the Old Guard, LeBlanc fits the bill quite nicely I think. Between him Iggy and Bob, I think he has the least amount of baggage that Harper could use against him.