Ignatieff to become Liberal leader Wednesday: report

[ThatGuy]

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is expected to resign Monday and Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc has dropped out of the leadership race and will support rival Michael Ignatieff, CTV News has learned.

"Michael Ignatieff pretty much has this leadership race wrapped up," CTV's Chief Parliamentary Correspondent Craig Oliver told CTV Newsnet Sunday evening. "It will be over by Wednesday."

Oliver said LeBlanc will make the announcement Monday, according to senior officials. He said LeBlanc will bring four MPs and five senators with him to back Ignatieff.

The Liberal caucus is to meet on Wednesday, with will include 57 MPs support Ignatieff, Oliver said. They would "almost certainly" vote to make Ignatieff their parliamentary leader, putting immense pressure on Liberal MP Bob Rae to drop out of the leadership race.

Oliver said that sources close to Rae said he's a team player and will drop out so the Liberals can focus on pressing national issues.

Edited December 8, 2008 by ThatGuy

[Slim MacSquinty]

I can't see Rae giving in that easy.

[jdobbin]

I can't see Rae giving in that easy.

I haven't seen anything yet myself but things are moving ahead quickly. A deal may be in the works before Wednesday.

[Slim MacSquinty]

I guess back room deals are alive and well in the Liberal party.

[LesterDC]

Go Iggy

[reasonoverpassion]

I guess back room deals are alive and well in the Liberal party.

This has nothing to do with a back room and everything to do with moving ahead. Bob Rae is a man who recognizes his limitations. They are are profound:

(1) He is an ex-premier of Ontario. This fact alone would him unpalatable to many who live east of Winnipeg.

(2) He was Premier of Ontario at a significant economic downturn which neither he or his party had very much to do with. This doesn't matter he just happened to be Premier when the downturn happened, he is blamed for the downturn anyway. He lead a party that very few ministers that were talented enough to excel in their given portfolios.

(3) He is a turncoat. Many Liberals don't like him because he belonged to NDP.

Liberals are sick of leadership questions. Ignateff wants it, he is most qualified and should have the job. There's no conspiracy-- no backroom deals. just a weariness about leadership questions.

[Slim MacSquinty]

What about the rank and file, you know democracy?

[reasonoverpassion]

What about the rank and file, you know democracy?

If Rae and Leblanc bow out its over, anyway.

[jdobbin]

I guess back room deals are alive and well in the Liberal party.

Sort of like the Tory convention where Harper's people vetted everything at the top level before approving it for debate in Winnipeg?

[cybercoma]

If Ignatieff becomes Liberal leader, there's a possibility that I will vote Liberal in the next election.

[Smallc]

If Ignatieff becomes Liberal leader, there's a possibility that I will vote Liberal in the next election.

If he does, there's more than a possibility that I will. It would be close to a certainty, though not quite there.

[cybercoma]

If he does, there's more than a possibility that I will. It would be close to a certainty, though not quite there.

I wouldn't say a certainty because you never know how his message will change. It's possible that he may be restrained by the powers that be. I'm reserving judgment until I hear exactly what he's about as leader. Harper vs Ignatieff is a tough decision for me though.

[M.Dancer]

I'm not convinced he is yet a Canadian....

[cybercoma]

I'm not convinced he is yet a Canadian....

I couldn't care less.

Edited December 8, 2008 by cybercoma

[-VMG-]

I'm not convinced he is yet a Canadian....

I don't think you are Canadian... you might have a birth certificate saying you are... but that's just a piece of paper what does it know!

[punked]

I don't think you are Canadian... you might have a birth certificate saying you are... but that's just a piece of paper what does it know!

What does Elizabeth May' Birth Certificate say? Who cares really.

[-VMG-]

What does Elizabeth May' Birth Certificate say? Who cares really.

Ahh she's an american is she... put her to the stake!

[noahbody]

I'm reserving judgment until I hear exactly what he's about as leader.

My call is that he'll take up Harper's invite to contribute to the budget/stimulus package. He'll be able to claim the Liberals were able to improve the stimulus and support it.

[Smallc]

Mr. Rae isn't happy about all this according to the e-mail I just got from his office.

Here's the title: Taking Away Your Vote In The Liberal Leadership Race?‏

I would paste the letter, but I don't know if that's allowed.

[blueblood]

Mr. Rae isn't happy about all this according to the e-mail I just got from his office.

Here's the title: Taking Away Your Vote In The Liberal Leadership Race?‏

I would paste the letter, but I don't know if that's allowed.

Does it say so?

[Smallc]

Does it say so?

No, it doesn't I was just being careful.

What it says it that he doesn't want this to be up to caucus, but rather the members and he hopes that they can come up with a process that will involve everyone. He is trying to stay in the race it seems.

[kimmy]

Ahh she's an american is she... put her to the stake!

That's odd. Given the sad state of her dentalistry, I'd have guessed she was British.

My call is that he'll take up Harper's invite to contribute to the budget/stimulus package. He'll be able to claim the Liberals were able to improve the stimulus and support it.

I hope so. I think the potential reward for the Liberals is huge here. If Ignatieff took that offer and did something concrete with it, he'd look like the kind of leader that Canadians are pleading for right now.

Mr. Rae isn't happy about all this according to the e-mail I just got from his office.

Here's the title: Taking Away Your Vote In The Liberal Leadership Race?‏

I would paste the letter, but I don't know if that's allowed.

These are intriguing times. I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

-k

[Goat Boy©]

Might that have something to do with CTV's distinctive right wing roots? Supporting their closer cousin?

Edited December 8, 2008 by Charles Anthony
deleted re-copied Opening Post

[M.Dancer]

Mr. Rae isn't happy about all this according to the e-mail I just got from his office.

Here's the title: Taking Away Your Vote In The Liberal Leadership Race?‏

I would paste the letter, but I don't know if that's allowed.

For the sake of the irony..go ahead.

Imagine, Rae not liking a coalition that stands to depose him....can't wait till he calls it undemocratic.

[M.Dancer]

Might that have something to do with CTV's distinctive right wing roots? Supporting their closer cousin?

Okay, you suckered me.....

1) Please elaborate obout the right wing roots of CTV

2) What is distinctive about them?