Yesterday I asked if
Carolyn Bennett... could be the next PM. And the response was underwhelming. But the site had a few problems. So I'm asking the same quesiton in a different way.
Is the Liberal Party leadership contest Canada's version of the Biggest Loser? Is Stornaway the Prize or will a good choice return the Libs to Sussex Drive?
Who do you like? Who do you want?
Handicap the race below:
What follows is a brief assessment of the candidates. Canada is a bilingual country. Video of the candidates has been used by University of Ottawa professor
Helene Knoerr to assess their speaking ability in both languages. Disclosure: I have no affiliation with any of these candidates. Although I have been a member of the federal Liberal party in the past I am not a current member.
Even without knowing the candidates and issues spend a moment or two to evaluate the candidates web presence and handicap the Canadian race. Get out your Daily Racing Form.
They're off.
Background
Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper won a minority government just a few months ago. He's a neo-con Bushophile inspired by the success of the GOP. His approval ratings are up and he's itching for an early election in the hope he'll be able to win a majority. For the moment he's trying to muzzle the press American-style. In the early going he's been adept in parliament. By calling a vote to extend our military mission to Afghanistan he appealed to his base, established his bona fides with Bush, and put the Liberal leadership candidates on record over an issue he believes is to his advantage.
The Race
Candidates for leadership must post a $50,000 entry fee. Campaign spending is limited to $3.4 million per candidate. There are limits on individual and corporate contributions. Only three front running candidates are believed to be able to raise millions: Michael Ignantieff, Bob Rae and Gerard Kennedy. None are overwhelming favourites. Ignantieff is thought to be the party establishment man with almost half of the declared support of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs). But less than half of the MPs have made their choice public.
The race may be won or lost by July 1. It is the last date a person may join the Liberal party. Members vote to select leadership convention delegates for each riding. There is online registration. Selected delegates attend a convention the weekend of September 29 to determine policy etc. Finally the leadership convention takes place the weekend of December 2.
The Candidates:
Front runners:
Ignantieff, Michael
* Toronto, PhD, Harvard Professor,
* Party establishment pick despite lack of experience as a parliamentarian.
* Won a tough, dirty nomination race in his riding.
* Has been criticized for his writing about the state's "limited" right to torture because it appears to give approval to some of the Gitmo, Abu Grhaib abuses. He denies this. "Iggy Thumbscrews" to those who disapprove.
* $$$, Bilingual = 4- excellent in English and French
Kennedy, Gerard
* Toronto, but has roots in the West, Ontario Education Minister, founded a foodbank in his youth
* Relatively youthful, seasoned politician at the provincial level
* $$$, Bilingual = 2- (passable but needs improvement)
Rae, Bob
* Toronto, 25 years with the NDP, former Premier of Ontario, thought to have been a failure as Premier, Lawyer
* Personable and articulate, but may not appeal to Ontario (huge drawback)
* $$$, Bilingual = 4 Excellent, best of all the Candidates
Notable:
Dion, Stephane
* Montreal, PhD. Laval Professor, Federal Cabinet Minister, veteran politician
* Established his reputation with many tough posts, most notably Chretien's minister assigned to handle relations with nationalist Quebec
* Thought not to have much money or organization outside Quebec
* $, Bilingual = 3+ Very Good
Filling out the Field
Bennett, Carolyn
* Toronto, physician, provincial and federal cabinet minister, public health care advocate
* $, Bilingual = 1 not bilingual
Bevilacqua, Maurizio
* Toronto, longtime politician, Cabinet Minister
* Martin loyalist who did not get a cabinet post
* Business friendly, "right" wing of the Liberal party
* $, Bilingual = 2 passable
Brison, Scott
* Halifax, Cabinet Minister, longtime politician
* "... not a gay politician, but a politician who happens to be gay"
* Small businessman, switched from Conservative to Liberal in 2003
* $, Bilingual = 1+ not Bilingual
Dryden, Ken
* Toronto, Hockey Legend, Lawyer, Author
* Cabinet Minister who speaks slowly and thoughtfully, not a sound bite man
* $, Bilingual = 1 not (surprising for a man who's hockey career was in Montreal)
Findlay, Martha Hall
* Accomplished skier, Lawyer, Business Consultant
* Took on Belinda Stronach when she was a Conservative
* Does not hold a seat in Parliament, party operative, first to declare
* $ ?, Bilingual = 3- Good
Fry, Hedy
* Vancouver, Physician, Giant Killer, Cabinet Minister, veteran politician
* The only western candidate, the only person of colour
* Defeated the sitting Prime Minister, Kim Campbell, in 1993
* Controversial statements, a progressive view, support for women and minorities
* Her criticism of Israel and the USA have made her a target of hard right Conservatives
* A lightning rod
* $, Bilingual = ?
Volpe, Joe
* Toronto, MEd, Educator, High School Principal, Cabinet Minister
* Thought to have an excellent campaign team, endorsed by 7 MPs
* Seasoned politician, has returned contributions thought to be questionable
* $, Bilingual = 3 Very Good