McKenna is out
From CTV:
Canada's outgoing ambassador to the United States, Frank McKenna, announced on Monday he won't run for the leadership of the Liberal Party, saying he's not ready to commit the next decade of his life to politics.
The rest of the article goes on about why he's not running, why he quit his job as ambassador, and so on and so forth. No mention of the whole abortion angle, though. Do you think he figured that he could never survive a leadership campaign in today's Liberal Party with that in his past?
Well, no matter. Thanks to the miracle of blogging, all that can be filtered out, and the focus can be put back on what is important -- who stands in the way of Belinda Stronach?
With McKenna out of the leadership race, there is no clear frontrunner.
However, speculation is already turning to other contenders such as former public works minister Scott Brison; recently elected Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff; former cabinet minister Belinda Stronach; and former Newfoundland premier Brian Tobin.
John Manley, the former deputy minister, and Frank McKenna, have say no. I can't help but wonder if both men came to the same conclusion -- despite the brave words, the Liberal Party is not destined to return to power anytime soon, and it would be a waste of time and ambition to be a leader of a party that has become a fixture in the opposition benches.
Think of it this way: if the Liberals had won a strong minority, and Paul Martin decided to retire a winner, would Manley and McKenna be on the sidelines today?
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Comments
Give me Alfonso Gagliano. I'm tired of all the masks. :)
Posted by: Dr.Dawg at January 30, 2006 03:00 PM
Michael Ignatieff: Brand new to a political position, only recently returning to Canada.
Belinda Stronach: A recent Conservative that will do anything for more power.
I don't see either as being a very strong candidate to run against Stephen Harper. Ignatieff would probably do far better vs Harper than Stronach, so here's to hoping we see a lot of leader of the opposition Belinda in the future.
Posted by: Andrew at January 30, 2006 03:01 PM
Please correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the Libs win a strong minority. Isn't 100 seats in the face of 200 scandals a strong signal that Liberalism is still very much alive and thriving?
People decline to run for many reasons, the threat of losing is just one.
Posted by: Ron at January 30, 2006 03:34 PM
Clarification...I know the CPC won the most seats and will form the government but the Libs aren't that far behind. It was not convincing by any stretch of the imagination.
Posted by: Ron at January 30, 2006 03:37 PM
Coops, Sheila. ... Haven't heard a peep from Sheila lately. Paul Martin went out of his way, to run her over durring the last election. She wrote her tell-almost-all book, maybe another kick at the cat?
Hey, if Hedy Fry can think of running, Sheila has a much better chance.
Posted by: Curtis at January 30, 2006 04:39 PM
hmm
Stronach, Copps and Brison while popular in the liberal party would virtually guarantee a conservative win next time around as I doubt they could appeal to a wide enough electorate... Stronach in particular...
Ignatieff - long shot... too much baggage, and he's been out of the loop and the circles of power
Tobin - probably the Liberals best hope without Mckenna.
Go Stronach!!!
Posted by: Sierra at January 30, 2006 05:58 PM
McKenna is no dummy, He realized he has been too partisan in his current post, and the new government would have to replace him. (I would presume the partisanship has been directed by Ottawa)
He is outta step with the rest of the liberal party. He has to realize that, I think was flattered to be considered a shoe-in, by the media, and kept such reports running, for his own sport, and ego.
So when the liberals lost the election, he realized his gig in Washington was coming to an end, so he quit on his own terms.
So now he's off to a think-tank or private law practice, either profession would keep him in good stead as liberal party 'statesman'.
Perhaps if the next election results in a conservative majority government, there will be another liberal leadership review. Perhaps at this time, the liberals maybe more willing to move further to the right, than they seem to be now.
Posted by: Curtis at January 30, 2006 06:08 PM
Hey Ron, watch the Liberals lose many by-elections over the next couple of years as the charges, then prosecutions mount over graft, corruption and theft of taxpayer dollars.
Posted by: Bruce Randall at January 30, 2006 08:39 PM
I don't think Ron will ever be convinced the Liberals lost the election.
They might be alive but I don't think one can say they are thriving. Like Bruce just stated the sh$&t is really going to stick to their party for a while and the smart money will bet against a liberal comeback any time soon.
Honest government from soon to be PM Harper will help build national support for the Conservative Party as well as provide a fresh contrast to the Liberal style of government. Not good news for the opposition.
Thanks for letting me share some of my views to all
Banjotom
Posted by: banjotom at January 30, 2006 09:46 PM
I'm curious, Ron... What exactly do your comments have to do with the matter at hand? In what way did your remarks address the topic of this blog? Is this your idea of meaningful and fact-filled discussion?
In a way, it's a shame McKenna isn't going to run. He would bring a very interesting perspective to the debates which might have an equally interesting effect on the other candidates.
Posted by: Mac at January 30, 2006 10:19 PM
Belinda would be Homer Simpson's choice for liberal leader:
"Mmmmmmm... economic PIE..."
Can't see liberals having confidence in this particular university drop-out turncoat to make her the party leader, much less PM. A Stronach win could be the best gift to the CPC, and, assuming there are no major gaffes until the next election, could help solidify a Conservative majority.
Besides, it's too long a stretch from Newmarket to Ottawa for Frank Stronach to twist his arm and work PM Belinda's mouth.
mhb23re
(email is above username at Google webmail service)
Posted by: MHB at January 30, 2006 10:30 PM
Ron's still commenting from last week...
Nobody wants this trainwreck of a Liberal party,
looks like Brison might be out whether wants it or not. Story circulating about public works scandal. Go get em Belinda!!!
Posted by: Platty at January 30, 2006 10:48 PM
Ron, let us make it simple for you. Belinda isn't smart enough to beat Harper when she ran for the CPC leadership, what makes you think a majority of Libreals will trust her? Iggy isn't that politically adeft, and is too far to the right for the rank and file.
Face it, McKenna has no guts, because he would have won going away, and I think he would have been formidible opposition.
It is awful to think the three big names going after the leadership could be two ex-PC's and a guy who has policy ideas that are as right as many Tories.
Ron, Librealism isn't dead in Canada, but by the time those three get done, it will be.
Posted by: Mark in Bowmanville at January 31, 2006 12:26 AM
Ron: "...People decline to run for many reasons, the threat of losing is just one...."
McKenna & Manley possibly threated of losing to the likes of Stronach or Ignatieff or Volpe or...? This is what 'Liberal Leadership' could potentially look like?
How scary is that?
Posted by: JM at January 31, 2006 10:02 AM
The best thing for Conservatives is if Brison runs and wins. Imagine him delivering the old Liberal mantra, 'My Liberal values are Canadian values.'
Posted by: Irwin Daisy at January 31, 2006 10:38 AM
Steve, I've got the perfect candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
Posted by: bob at January 31, 2006 10:58 AM
Tobin is out now too.
Who does wanna run?
Posted by: Curtis at January 31, 2006 08:35 PM
 
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