Dion and his Palace Guard in trouble

[Canuck E Stan]

If Dion didn't have enough headaches with candidates dropping out, woeful fundraising, poor recent byelection results, and a possible federal election approaching, he now also has to deal with a public war between members of his party and one of his top organizers.

Senior members from Quebec have been pleading privately for him to fire Jamie Carroll, the Liberals' national director and one of the key players in Dion's leadership victory.

They are now making their demands public.

Liberal rift widens as members criticize Dion and a top aide

Paul Leduc, a three-term mayor of a large Montreal suburb, says that he's changed his mind about running for the Liberals and that one of the party's household names provided him with phone numbers for journalists and urged him to go public with his story.

The former Brossard mayor had been endorsed in April by the Liberals' provincial election commission to run without a contested nomination - but he said Dion kept him cooling his heels all summer.

"I never heard any news from Mr. Dion or his entourage," Leduc said.

"A leader who doesn't follow a recommendation, I call that inaction and indecision and it's a lack of respect not only for me, but also for the commission, and for members of my riding."

First Marc Garneau, now Paul Leduc.

Add to that Jamie Carroll the Liberals' national director and one of the key players in Dion's leadership victory,who remarked that if he hired more Quebecers, then he'd have to hire more Chinese, and you have a Liberal leader who has just can't win for being a loser.

[Michael Bluth]

First Marc Garneau, now Paul Leduc.

Add to that Jamie Carroll the Liberals' national director and one of the key players in Dion's leadership victory,who remarked that if he hired more Quebecers, then he'd have to hire more Chinese, and you have a Liberal leader who has just can't win for being a loser.

It was a tough trade-off for Dion.

A lot of the old Martinites approached him to join his team. He wouldn't have won without them. Now he is stuck with them.

A real leader would have built a new team for himself.

As the old saying goes. The people who get you into power aren't the ones to keep you in power.

Dion better learn that lesson in a hurry or he will go down in history as the first Liberal leader in a hundred years not to become Prime Minister.

[betsy]

A journalist at MDuffy said they called 50 Liberals, asking them if they think there's any chance Dion will improve. All gave a resounding "No."

That same sentiment was echoed by a member of Dion's caucus when interviewed (I can't recall her name but this was brought up on MDuffy, showing the clip of the interview with the press). The lady member of the caucus was trying to help Dion it seemed, however she made statements that are harming such as ..."he is too old to change."

Apparently she got an earful from the other caucus members after that episode with the press.

[old_bold&cold]

I can only speak for myself in this, but I just can not find one thing about Dion that is compelling me to think leadership material. He was a behind the scenes type, working within the party. He never really gave me a moment where I thought of him as anything more then a educated goffer. I was really surprised that he even attempted a run at the leadership convention, and was more astounded when he actually won the race. I still can not bring myself into focus as to how and why this happened, not that I minded as I am definitely not a liberal supporter. I really had to wonder if the liberals were joking, but when he won I figured that Harper definitely was lucky that day.

In the case where an election would be called, I can only see the rolls of liberal supporters, having to reassess their positions. The election debate will be one that I will not want to miss. I can only think that his falling fortunes within his own party, are just the start of what will probably become a more growing realization that they picked the wrong man to be leader. I also think that the voters will see this weak leader as just being a place holder where the old liberal guard can pull the strings and turn him into their puppet. That would also spell bad news for the party. The melt down of front line liberals in the past race, was telling in many ways, but Dion is like Bambi caught in the glare of the headlights on the car that is about to hit him. It seems to me that now is not the time for the meek to inherit the earth and neither will Dion. He may be the first party leader to get replaced before he ever gets a chance to face the voters. I just can not see him as anything but road kill in an election this fall. That is why I do not think that there will be one, because Dion is definitely not ready to do battle, if he ever will be that is.

This has shocked me a lot, enough so, that I actually feel pity for a liberal leader. I must be getting soft in my old age.

[Canuck E Stan]

It was a tough trade-off for Dion.

A lot of the old Martinites approached him to join his team. He wouldn't have won without them. Now he is stuck with them.

A real leader would have built a new team for himself.

As the old saying goes. The people who get you into power aren't the ones to keep you in power.

Dion better learn that lesson in a hurry or he will go down in history as the first Liberal leader in a hundred years not to become Prime Minister.

Dion refused to fire Caroll over his remarks....who's the real village idiot, Dion or Carroll? Not looking good for either one of them.

Dion backs aide under fire for alleged remarks about Quebec

[Michael Bluth]

Wow, the hits keep coming for Dion.

From an editorial in today's Globe. (Sorry no link, pay site.)

Most opposition leaders take a while to grow into the job. Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper were widely criticized by their own party members in the early days of their leadership. But rarely do parties turn on their own leaders as quickly and viciously as the federal Liberals appear to be turning on Stéphane Dion.

Worse, he does not appear to understand the degree to which his party is listing. In a meeting earlier this week with The Globe's editorial board, he repeatedly suggested that his "sincerity" will help him win votes against Prime Minister Stephen Harper - as though good intentions will be enough to make up for a lack of coherent policies and political savvy. Even after the Liberals' terrible showing in this month's Quebec by-elections, he insisted that they are ready to fight an election on the ground - not because of any structure or strategy he has put in place, but because their past success shows they know how to win elections. That argument was roughly akin to the Montreal Canadiens explaining that they don't need to sign any new talent or coaching because they've won more Stanley Cups than any other hockey team.

Will Dion survive until the next election? Probably, but this is another reason for Dion to want an election now.

If the Conservatives survive the vote on the Speech from the Throne it becomes very difficult, but not impossible, for Dion to remain leader.

Edited September 29, 2007 by Michael Bluth

[sharkman]

This is why despite all of the sabre rattling, the Liberals do not want an election at any cost, even though cheerleaders on this forum think the Liberals have the Tories right where they want them! Kind of reminds me of the Minister in Saddam's cabinet who as the war broke out, kept updating the Western media on how his army was repelling the Americans at every turn. It got to be quite funny, journalists would look to his daily update for a good chuckle.

[Canuck E Stan]

Proulx out as Dion's Quebec lieutenant; 2 MPs refuse job,Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Doesn't anybody want to work with Dion?

[geoffrey]

I don't think Dion has a 'palace guard' anymore. It's him against the party. He is not a leader. The Liberals would not be in this mess with Iggy at the helm... maybe not even with Rae (though they may be polling lower with him )

[Martin Chriton]

This is why despite all of the sabre rattling, the Liberals do not want an election at any cost, even though cheerleaders on this forum think the Liberals have the Tories right where they want them! Kind of reminds me of the Minister in Saddam's cabinet who as the war broke out, kept updating the Western media on how his army was repelling the Americans at every turn. It got to be quite funny, journalists would look to his daily update for a good chuckle.

I think there are some Liberals that do want an election just not for the same reasons Dion would want one. For example, I'm sure some Iggy supports are really hoping for one. I don't really see a need to delay the process.

[bk59]

Kind of reminds me of the Minister in Saddam's cabinet who as the war broke out, kept updating the Western media on how his army was repelling the Americans at every turn. It got to be quite funny, journalists would look to his daily update for a good chuckle.

I loved that guy! His "press releases" were always the best.

I think there are some Liberals that do want an election just not for the same reasons Dion would want one. For example, I'm sure some Iggy supports are really hoping for one. I don't really see a need to delay the process.

An interesting point. I wonder if there aren't some people out there who think it would be best for the Liberal party to run another crappy campaign and hope to have another Conservative minority in an effort to really rebuild the party next time around. Almost like putting a really bad leader in place so that when you do get the leader you really want everyone will be saying "Wow, he's so much better than that last guy!"

[jennie]

The party old guard were absolutely shocked when Dion won. There is absolutely no question that there are plots to unseat him.

Dion is more academic, inclined to seek truth, than most two-faced lying politicians, and more friendly and open than conniving.

No wonder he's getting hammered!

Dion has the qualities many of us would like to see in government. Unfortunately, they are not qualities our politicians are accustomed to dealing with, other than to make mincemeat of, imo.

Pity.

I believe Dion will have to 'clean house' of the old guard before we will see his true value.

[Shakeyhands]

I wonder if there aren't some people out there who think it would be best for the Liberal party to run another crappy campaign and hope to have another Conservative minority in an effort to really rebuild the party next time around.

Ding, Ding, Ding!

[Topaz]

I don't think Dion will force an election because he knows he'll be gone as leader, that is if he rules his party like Harper, but if he has a free vote and carries out by the majority of what the party wants then an election there will be! I think its best for the party to have an election because it will bring new people into the party. I do also think that the NDP will get more seats and I think harper will remain a minority govt because voters still haven't changed their view of him and his willingness to keep Canadian soldiers in harms way.

[Michael Bluth]

I wonder if there aren't some people out there who think it would be best for the Liberal party to run another crappy campaign and hope to have another Conservative minority in an effort to really rebuild the party next time around. Almost like putting a really bad leader in place so that when you do get the leader you really want everyone will be saying "Wow, he's so much better than that last guy!"

Don't know about the second point. I think another Conservative minority and Dion probably strengthens his position.

A Conservative majority is the only way to guarantee that Dion is one and done.

[geoffrey]

Dion is more academic, inclined to seek truth, than most two-faced lying politicians, and more friendly and open than conniving.

Dion, one of the biggest traitors to Quebec and bold-faced liar on the environment?

Your kidding right? Any attempt at saying he's an innocent old man with honest goals should be laughed at. He's a very clever, backstabbing guy, as good as the rest of them. You don't stand where he does by being nice. The rest, it's an act.

[August1991]

Dion, one of the biggest traitors to Quebec and bold-faced liar on the environment?

This quote of Dion (24 August 2007) concerning Harper's climate change policy is noteworthy:

"We believe that all political leaders have a moral obligation to do all that can be done on this critical challenge facing Canada and the world, and to put an end to the partisan politicking around this issue," Dion wrote in a letter to Harper. "To date, your approach falls far short of the best that Canada can do. I urge you to put consensus ahead of confrontation. Every day counts in this battle and we must take real action now."

Canwest

How can Dion now say that an election is not important when just a few weeks ago, he described the environment as a "critical challenge"? Either Dion was using hyperbole before, or he's prepared to abandon a "critical" issue for electoral success.

[Visionseeker]

Don't know about the second point. I think another Conservative minority and Dion probably strengthens his position.

A Conservative majority is the only way to guarantee that Dion is one and done.

I agree on your first point, but not necessarily the second. If the Conservatives were to eek out a slim majority with Dion simultaneously managing to raise the Liberals popular support and seat counts, then I think it would be difficult for the Liberals to cut him loose.

If her were to be badly beaten, then he would be unlikely to be given a second chance.

[Canuck E Stan]

This quote of Dion (24 August 2007) concerning Harper's climate change policy is noteworthy:Canwest

How can Dion now say that an election is not important when just a few weeks ago, he described the environment as a "critical challenge"? Either Dion was using hyperbole before, or he's prepared to abandon a "critical" issue for electoral success.

I think Don Martin column heading said it best in yesterday's column:

Dion's choice: Save the planet, or save his political ass

[jbg]

I'd still like to see Dion in the English Leadership debate. It will be a hoot.