a blog about news and politics by steve janke
 

An election in six weeks and a major shakeup? Something is not adding up

Stephane Dion, who is threatening to force an election in a matter of weeks, is dramatically re-arranging his core team.  Right, sounds like a man ready to go to the polls.  In any case, communications director Nicolas Ruszkowski is on his way out.  Personal reasons.  Of course.




stephane-dion Stephane Dion is changing his core team:

is shaking up his office once again in a bid to get a firmer grip on the reins of the .

Among the moves to be announced soon: communications director will be leaving the Liberal leader's office as of Jan. 31.

He will be replaced by , a veteran Liberal aide who worked in former prime minister 's press office and for various ministers in both the Chretien and governments.

jean-lapierre She last served on Parliament Hill as chief of staff for , Martin's transport minister, and was a top adviser to Nova Scotia MP during last year's leadership contest.

Scott Brison Ruszkowski joined Dion's team last May but is departing "at his own request" after eight turbulent months that left little time for a family life, spokesman Mark Dunn confirmed.

How can Stephane Dion be bragging to Liberal Party riding presidents that there will be an election is six weeks, while at the same time he's trying to get "a firmer grip" on the party?

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has put his ground troops on standby for a federal election in 2008.

Marking one year today since he won the leadership of the Liberals, Dion spoke to party riding presidents gathered in Montreal this weekend and attempted to turn their sights forward to an imminent election campaign.

Consider just how far Stephane Dion has come, and how much farther he has to go.

  • February 2007: Most Competent Leader: Stephane Dion 22%
  • May 2007: Nicolas Ruszkowski becomes Stephane Dion's director of communications
  • November 2007: Most Competent Leader: Stephane Dion 11%
  • December 2007: Nicolas Ruszkowski quits as Stephane Dion's director of communications
  • February 2008: Liberals go to the polls?

So in six weeks, Leslie Swartman is going to reverse a year-long slide, a slide that Nicolas Ruszkowki was unable to affect in seven months of effort?


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  Nicolas Ruszkowski  Leslie Swartman  Jean Chretien  Paul Martin  Jean Lapierre  Scott Brison 


Sphere presents related news articles and blog posts
Sphere It!


Trackbacks
URI: http://haloscan.com/tb/agwnblog/249743

Trackback Submission Form