Angry in the Great White North
Take him seriously
Monday, March 20, 2006 at 09:17 AM

Read other posts by Steve Janke published by the National Post
Leader

The first reaction is to laugh, of course:

Yesterday, Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac called The Daily News to say he intends to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

He also wants to run to bring his youth to the party and to end the "continuous mockery that's been allowed to take place of my party."

MacIsaac has mused about running for office in the past. He insisted yesterday that this time he's serious.

He will finance his bid by selling some art he owns. Leadership contenders must pay the Liberal party $50,000.

I'm not suggesting he is a likely to win, or that he will have any serious influence during a leadership convention, or that I would want any party, large or small, led by MacIsaac. But I think anyone who wants to serve his country in politics should be given the courtesy of consideration. He should be allowed to present his case and have it judged, but not pre-judged.

Making a major change in direction like this isn't easy. If he's serious, I wish him luck.

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