Monday, June 12, 2006

Like Attracts Like

Failed former NDP premiers have to stick together through thick and thin:

Ujjal Dosanjh is throwing his support behind Bob Rae, a fellow onetime NDP premier, for the federal Liberal leadership.

The Vancouver MP will announce his decision Monday.

Dosanjh served briefly as premier of British Columbia from 2000 to 2001, taking the helm of the province's scandal-plagued New Democratic Party after Glen Clark abruptly resigned.

He jumped to the Liberals federally, winning a seat in the Commons in 2004. He was considered one of former prime minister Paul Martin's star recruits and served as health minister in Martin's short-lived government.

....

Although he is considered one of the frontrunners among the 11 contenders and has put together an impressive team combining some of the top organizers from both the Martin and Jean Chrétien factions of the party, Rae has so far attracted the support of only one other Liberal MP — Moncton's Brian Murphy.

By contrast, rookie Toronto MP and acclaimed scholar Michael Ignatieff has captured the support of almost 30 MPs.


There you have it, folks. The Liberal caucus has taken the measure of Bob Rae and found him lacking. He is not, unlike Ignatieff, someone upon whom can be projected the image of Pierre Trudeau. He is, unlike Ignatieff, someone with an actual political record to defend.

Left dazed and confused by the lack of an heir apparent, the Liberals have quickly recovered and found one.

He may even stay in Canada after losing the next election.

Aren't we all fortunate to have the return of the philosopher king?

Source: Toronto Star

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