It Must Be Ignatieff

(Warning: Hastily Created)

Last election proved one thing to me, Canadians recently have began to bite on whatever the juiciest story seems to be in politics. It just happens that the Conservative media machine is the one doing all the work.


So, here the LPC is left with a choice between two men.


First off, there is Michael Ignatieff. Here is a man with a great mind and the ability to speak convincingly on many subjects in the House.


The knock to his credibility that the Harper team will trot out is the fact that he resided so long out of this country.


Secondly, there is Bob Rae. The one time NDP Premier of Ontario will be branded as a “leftist” by the CPC and accused of dragging us too far from our centrist roots.


Last of all, we could have an interim leader not from the two above-mentioned candidates. But, what would happen if the Harper government brings forth a budget that cannot be supported by the other three parties? If we choose an interim leader, if could be in Harper’s best interest to force us to defeat him. Would the interim leader be ready to run for Prime Minister? If I was the Prime Minister, I would do just that.


Furthermore, you can see the fear tactics being spun up for the TV cameras and plastered all across Ontario. Remember that debt? They will blame it on Rae on the first day of an election campaign and never give up.


What shall the party so?


By December 17, 2008, the Liberal Party of Canada has announced that 800 people will choose an interim leader to serve until the Leadership Convention in May. This will include MPs, Senators, defeated candidates, and the council of presidents from what I have read.


We know that between 46-57 MPs support Ignatieff. Furthermore, we know that 19-30 support Rae or have no choice at all. This is important to me because at the time of Dion’s victory, the caucus did not get behind the choice. Do we want that again? It is something very important. To legitimize an interim choice it should have the support of those in the House. We want our MPs to want to fight beside a leader.


Also, we have to take into account which choice between Rae and Ignatieff if more likely to do better against the Conservatives. In a recent poll, it suggests that Ignatieff would do far better against Harper. Canadian’s in the poll find him to be more to the centre of the political spectrum, which is true. This is appealing to them. The NDP and those on the left have never performed well federally after all.


Furthermore, if we want to regain inroads in Ontario, Rae is almost certain not to deliver that movement. If anything, we would have a stronger showing against the NDP, but, there is a larger number of votes on the “soft right” in the long run.


In any case, what we are seeing in the Liberal Party is going to have lasting and deep[ effects on the Liberal party. We might not be able to win a majority in the next election, but with Ignatieff we will at least have that chance someday. I would like to go with that. I think its madatory.