Angry in the Great White North

Today the Conservative Party made official what has been rumoured for some time.  Lisa Raitt, the CEO of the Toronto Port Authority, will be running in her home riding of Halton:

Lisa Raitt is taking a leave of absence as CEO of the Toronto Port Authority to take a run for a Conservative seat in Parliament.

Party officials said Raitt will be a star candidate in the riding of Halton, now held by Liberal MP Garth Turner. Raitt is a native of Cape Breton and has headed up the TPA since 2002.

Lisa will have her work cut out for her, going up against Garth Turner of the Liberals.  Whatever else you might think of Garth Turner, there is no denying that he is not one of those MPs you only hear about at election time, and then only on election night.  Garth Turner has the advantage of incumbency as well, and he has the credibility of someone who has worked hard for his constituents (credibility that he probably deserves).

But then Lisa has some things going for her as well.  She might have been appointed as the candidate, but then Stephen Harper did not derail an ongoing nomination contest to make it happen.  She is also local (a resident of Oakville), and that ought to quell accusations of being parachuted in.  She has the support of the riding executive, which will also quickly mute any criticism.  And as things are shaping up, she's on the winning side.  Though a lot can change, if the trends stay as they are now, Halton voters will have a choice between having Garth Turner represent them in his role as an opposition Liberal, or Lisa Raitt as their member who is sitting on the government side.

Or better yet, a cabinet minister?  It has been suggested that Lisa could one day be Transport Minister, building on her experience gained from her work for the Toronto Port Authority.

Still, Garth Turner is a legitimate choice.  But what would his future be as a Liberal if the Liberals do not form the next government?  Do you think Garth Turner will play a significant role in the Liberal Party?  He's not on the front benches now.  And if Stephane Dion loses, what makes you think that the next Liberal Party leader would have a special place in his heart for Garth Turner?  Garth Turner has already sniped at Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff, accusing them and their supporters of insufficient loyalty to Stephane Dion, and of trying to undermine Dion.  If Garth Turner is too closely associated with Stephane Dion (his own fault, what with his sticky sweet fawning praise for Stephane Dion), then he might find himself on the outs as the Liberal Party reconstitutes itself.

Especially if Bob Rae or Michael Ignatieff are in charge of rebuilding the Liberal Party.  Is there anything worse than being "on the outs"?

I bet the more thoughtful voters in Halton are giving all these factors some consideration.

Ah well, the election will soon be upon us, and all my musing will amount to nothing in the face of the actual vote.  Heck, Garth Turner could be the next finance minister!

And with thought in mind, let's all wish the best of luck to Lisa!