Stephane Dion: Firefighter or Imprisoned Leader? [plus Michael Ignatieff goes on a tear]
Stephane Dion has cancelled a trip to the Arctic, unable to perform his function as Opposition Leader and Leader of the Liberal Party because of the chaos that has engulfed his office and his party. Stephane Dion is now a firefighter, trying to keep the Liberal house from burning to the ground.
Or maybe that's the wrong metaphor. Maybe he is staying in Ottawa because he is afraid of what might happen if he and his key people are away for any length of time.
Update: Someone who doesn't seem to be too worried about moving about the country and talking to Liberals is Michael Ignatieff. Interesting.
Stephane Dion's job description seems to have changed. From Leader of the Opposition to firefighter:
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has cancelled a trip to the Arctic so he can stay close to home and manage the crisis in his party, especially among the troops in Quebec.
Mr. Dion will shuffle his caucus later this week, handing out new critic roles and realigning his team in preparation for the new fall session, according to a senior Dion aide.
Wednesday night, Mr. Dion was to travel to the North and spend three days in Yellowknife and make several stops in Nunavut. But an announcement late yesterday said he has scrapped the trip for now.
“… he felt that the priority was to be here on the ground making sure that everybody was 100 per cent focused to those particular milestones and initiatives …,” said the Dion aide, noting that the Liberal Leader had also just named a new principal adviser.
This is just one cancelled trip, so we have to be careful not to make much of it. But it will matter if it becomes part of a patten. Cancelled trips, cancelled speeches, cancelled photo ops -- the work of a party leader not getting done because the party leader is too busy putting out fires that seem to spontaneously ignite whenever he glances away.
But here's one more thing to consider. Perhaps Stephane Dion is afraid to leave Ottawa right now. While he's in the office, his presence keeps a lid on things. But if he leaves with his key staff in tow, the people left behind might feel free to speak.
Things are said that would never be said with Stephane Dion and his key loyalists within earshot. People wander by the fax machine with papers that should never be faxed. People type out emails not worried about who might see something over their shoulder.
It's not like someone would change the locks while Stephane Dion was away...well, it's not likely someone would change the locks...but when a leader's position is under threat, he never goes on a trip.
Remember too, that Ignatieff's people are now in the inner sanctum:
Mr. Dion has also appointed veteran campaign strategist Senator David Smith as the third co-chair of the national campaign. Mr. Smith, who supported Mr. Dion's leadership rival, Michael Ignatieff, served in key campaign positions during the Chretien years.
Unless Stephane Dion morphs into a real leader in the next 24 hours, he is best not to plan any trips for a while.
Update: Talking about looking like a leader by pressing the flesh and talking to Liberals, Michael Ignatieff has a busy calendar:
- October 3: Party with the Dalhousie Young Liberals, Nova Scotia
- October 3: Reception at Pier 21
- October 4: Dalhousie Law School, Nova Scotia
- October 11: Cocktails at the Vancouver Aquarium, British Columbia
- October 19: Fundraiser with Romeo Dallaire, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Quite the contrast, eh? The leader holed up in the bunker, while the deputy is out talking to the troops and rallying their spirits.
When push comes to shove, who is going to remember Stephane Dion as an inspiring presence?
Of course, I'm certain Michael Ignatieff is telling all these people he is meeting with that Stephane Dion is a fine leader, and quickly coming into his own, and that he, Michael Ignatieff, is pleased to be serving under Stephane Dion. I wonder if Ignatieff is mentioning all the things about quality leadership he has learned from watching Stephane Dion's performance, lessons that would serve him and the Liberal Party well should, by some happenstance, Michael Ignatieff find himself humbly accepting the reins of leadership.
Skew my story on Skewz.com
Rate political news for their bias, read related stories, and leave your own skewed commentary
Search for more opinions from Canadian bloggers on these related keywords
Stephane Dion Liberal Party Canada Michael Ignatieff Yellowknife Nunavut
Sphere presents related news articles and blog posts
Sphere It!
Comments
With all the heat Stephane Dion is facing, he still has his nuclear option. Imagine, if you will, Dion, citing the needs of the party etc, steps down effective immediately. Ignatieff then, as deputy leader, assumes the mantle as leader of the Liberals. Two weeks hence, it's Iggy that has to face PMSH across the floor of the Commons and either vote for or against the impending Throne speech. And with the gauntlet that PMSH just laid down, that can't be palatable, even for Iggy. So, in the end, Dion gets some modicum of revenge.
Just a thought...
Posted by: Phil in Ottawa at October 4, 2007 12:47 PM
Dion may have cancelled his Arctic tour because he realizes he has lost leadership control of the Liberal party, and is in Ottawa to announce he is stepping down as leader effective immediately.
Does he have the good sense to abdicate before October 16th ... so that the Liberal party is not torn apart over the Throne Speech vote..??
If Dion does resign, I will respect his last good leadership act.
Posted by: Observer at October 4, 2007 01:33 PM
If the guy's afraid to leave the office at a time like this, how on earth is he going to be able to hop on a plane and criss-cross the nation during a campaign?
Posted by: Christian Conservative at October 4, 2007 02:18 PM
A question: what happens to Gerard Kennedy's position within the Liberal party, because it was thanks to Kennedy's support that Dion became leader, and if there's growing dissatisfaction with Dion, shouldn't it spill over onto Kennedy as well?
Although I oppose Mr. Dion on principle and policies, I don't viscerally dislike him. Now Kennedy is a completely different matter. I cannot stomach the way he talks over anyone interviewing him, including the "venerable" Don Newman.
Gerry should learn to shut up once in a while.
Posted by: Gabby in QC at October 4, 2007 02:38 PM
John Rae, Bob's brother, is also in the room, aka the Elephant. Power Corp./Maurice Strong is galumphing in with Power Corp.'s $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Meanwhile, AdScam Chretien, the Librano$ Don,is down, but, not for the count.
It's the Librano$ Redux.
...-
Posted by: maz2 at October 4, 2007 02:48 PM
Stephanie D-Yawn has now taken on the role of firefighter with hose and nozzle, but no water supply or pumper truck. NA, NA, NA, NA, hey, hey, Goodbye!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bruce Randall at October 4, 2007 04:23 PM
Stephanie D-Yawn has now taken on the role of firefighter with hose and nozzle, but no water supply or pumper truck. NA, NA, NA, NA, hey, hey, Goodbye!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bruce at October 4, 2007 04:24 PM
Gabby: your right on the money!
IMHO, Kennedy is finished in politics. His great lust for power took him down in one fatal move.
Posted by: Libby at October 4, 2007 06:27 PM
Personally, I'm waiting for Dion's "Tim Horton's Tour", where we can witness, for the first time ever, a man eating a donut with a fork.
Posted by: Soccermom at October 4, 2007 11:13 PM
Let's see if I got this right, Power Corp through John Rae offers the Liberals campain funding through the old "loan without expectation of repayment" loophole if the Libs take John Rae's advice in the head office. Am I misreading the whole leadership crisis?
Posted by: at October 5, 2007 08:25 PM
冷水机 冷水机 密炼机 冷水机 冷水机 冷水机 冷水机 工业冷水机 工业冷水机 工业冷水机 工业冷水机 上海冷水机 上海冷水机 上海冷水机 上海冷水机 昆山冷水机 昆山冷水机 昆山冷水机 昆山冷水机 张家港冷水机 张家港冷水机 张家港冷水机 张家港冷水机 常熟冷水机 常熟冷水机 常熟冷水机 常熟冷水机 吴江冷水机 吴江冷水机 吴江冷水机 吴江冷水机 太仓冷水机 太仓冷水机 太仓冷水机 太仓冷水机 苏州冷水机 苏州冷水机 苏州冷水机 苏州冷水机 无锡冷水机 无锡冷水机 无锡冷水机 无锡冷水机 江阴冷水机 江阴冷水机 江阴冷水机 江阴冷水机 宜兴冷水机 宜兴冷水机 宜兴冷水机 宜兴冷水机 常州冷水机 溧阳冷水机 常州冷水机 溧阳冷水机 常州冷水机 溧阳冷水机 溧阳冷水机 常州冷水机 南京冷水机 南京冷水机 南京冷水机 南京冷水机 杭州冷水机 杭州冷水机 杭州冷水机 杭州冷水机 绍兴冷水机 绍兴冷水机 绍兴冷水机 绍兴冷水机 上虞冷水机 上虞冷水机 上虞冷水机 上虞冷水机 诸暨冷水机 诸暨冷水机 诸暨冷水机 诸暨冷水机 余姚冷水机 余姚冷水机 余姚冷水机 余姚冷水机 慈溪冷水机 慈溪冷水机 慈溪冷水机 慈溪冷水机 宁波冷水机 宁波冷水机 宁波冷水机 宁波冷水机 宁海冷水机 宁海冷水机 宁海冷水机 宁海冷水机 北仑冷水机 北仑冷水机 北仑冷水机 北仑冷水机 温州冷水机 温州冷水机 温州冷水机 温州冷水机 瑞安冷水机 瑞安冷水机 瑞安冷水机 瑞安冷水机 嘉兴冷水机 嘉兴冷水机 嘉兴冷水机 嘉兴冷水机 台州冷水机 台州冷水机 台州冷水机 台州冷水机 青岛冷水机 青岛冷水机 青岛冷水机 青岛冷水机 合肥冷水机 合肥冷水机 合肥冷水机 合肥冷水机 模温机 模温机 模温机 模温机 模温机 上海模温机 上海模温机 上海模温机 上海模温机 昆山模温机 昆山模温机 昆山模温机 昆山模温机 张家港模温机 张家港模温机 张家港模温机 张家港模温机 吴江模温机 吴江模温机 吴江模温机 吴江模温机 常熟模温机 常熟模温机 常熟模温机 常熟模温机 太仓模温机 太仓模温机 太仓模温机 太仓模温机 苏州模温机 苏州模温机 苏州模温机 苏州模温机 模温机 上海模温机 昆山模温机 苏州模温机 南京模温机 模温机 上海模温机 昆山模温机 张家港模温机 常熟模温机 太仓模温机 吴江模温机 苏州模温机 无锡模温机 江阴模温机 宜兴模温机 常州模温机 溧阳模温机 镇江模温机 扬州模温机 南京模温机 江苏模温机 南通模温机 浙江模温机 杭州模温机 绍兴模温机 诸暨模温机 上虞模温机 余姚模温机 慈溪模温机 宁海模温机 北仑模温机 宁波模温机 温州模温机 瑞安模温机 乐清模温机 台州模温机 嘉兴模温机 海宁模温机 金华模温机 义乌模温机 哈尔滨模温机 长春模温机 沈阳模温机 大连模温机 北京模温机 天津模温机 石家庄模温机 郑州模温机 济南模温机 青岛模温机 福州模温机 厦门模温机 武汉模温机 长沙模温机 南昌模温机 太原模温机 西安模温机 合肥模温机 芜湖模温机 马鞍山模温机 油温机 上海水温机 水温机 上海油温机 苏州油温机 苏州水温机 无锡水温机 无锡油温机 常州水温机 常州油温机 南京水温机 南京油温机 杭州水温机 杭州油温机 绍兴水温机 绍兴油温机 宁波水温机 宁波油温机 温州水温机 温州油温机 嘉兴水温机 嘉兴油温机 台州水温机 台州油温机
Posted by: njracks at July 9, 2008 06:55 PM
Abstract paintings
Angel painting
animal paintings
ballet paintings
beach painting
Boat painting
building painting
Children painting
Christ painting
church painting
City painting
Cottage painting
Dancer painting
field painting
Floral paintings
Garden painting
Hunting paintings
impressionist painting
Knight painting
Lady painting
Landscape painting
Lighthouse paintings
Music painting
Nude painting
Oriental paintings
Piano painting
Seascapes paintings
Still Life paintings
street painting
sunset painting
Tropical paintings
Venice paintings
Village painting
wine paintingsalvador dali paintings
thomas kinkade paintings
pablo picasso paintings
vincent van gogh paintings
claude monet paintings
diego rivera paintings
Posted by: aswkin at July 17, 2008 06:45 AM
 
|
|
