Your picks, please.

I'm hoping for Ignatieff.

Same here, that guy is a guienus. Harvard Prof, leader of Canada :D

Hmm... I can't say that I'm a big fan of that guy.

as a Liberal I really don't want any of these guys. Ignatieff's won his nomination unfairley, Manley sucks, Rock sucks in fact, the bulk of the cadidiates suck. I suppose i'll support Rock if it comes to that, but at this point, i'd like some non- Chretien/Martin person to take charge of the party and Ignatieff is simply not the person to take charge at this point.(uncanadian, hates ukrainians etc.). So, i'm thinking the best person to take charge would be Rock(likeable, not a douce, etc). But of course, I have been wrong before(see my prediction that Martin wouldn't last a day, he ended up lasting two years.).

I was only able to find vaguely in-depth information on Ignatieff and McKenna, neither of whom really appeal to me, personally.

1) I think that saying he’s “uncanadian” is perhaps a little rich for what he is. Sure, he has been teaching and living in the US, but “uncanadian” suggests that he has been an outspoken critic of Canada or it’s people. I suggest that this is not the case.

2) The "hates Ukrainians" thing erupted over a quote from his book that was taken out of context. Let's look at the more complete passage:

I think that what he is saying is different a slightly more nuanced than the Ukrainian hate literature that he is accused of having penned.

The nominations chicanery is troubling, but the culpability may rest on the shoulder of over-zealous Liberal party officials, not Ignatieff himself.

We also have to understand that Ignatieff is primarily an academic. He may find conclusions that aren’t entirely in coherence with the Ukraine community’s self-perception. However, “Blood and Belonging: Journeys Into the New Nationalism” was published in 1993, has won multiple prizes, and has been lauded academically. Yes, maybe it is a critical and apolitical book, but I think that you have to realize that it’s not an anti-Ukrainian manifesto. Parts of it were strategically lifted from the book, and used as ammunition.

I've always felt that the anti-ukranian accusations on him were silly and unfair. I can understand his hatred for nationalism whether it's Ukranian or from any other nation. In fact I share his hatred for nationalism and I've been exposed to it ever since I began my political activity where I currently reside, Portugal. There is a closely knit group of individuals that range from the well-read college-guys, to old sympathers of the Salazar (the Portuguese Franco) regime, and their offspring, to just plain teen-age skinhead cretins. There aren't very many of them, but they are well organized and their activity on several internet mediums is incredible. Among their ranks and ideas you'll find everything from Nazism, racism and fascism. From what I hear they exist in much greater numbers in other European countries. Europe is a very strange place.

I see Belinda Stronarch making a surprise run and possibly coming close.

Ignatieff does not promote trust in me at all. He's actually in my friends riding and was quite the stuffy and stodgy type of person.

Didn't he win that riding which before the election was under a Conservative Banner, and if so, you have to admit that is impressive

well, I can post drunk without making a complete fool of myself, interesting...

In any case, thanks to Daemon for posting that peice so I can now clearly see what exactly has been said by Mr. Ignatieff.

As far as the Liberals go though, I really ain't much of a fan of any of the cadidates. Mackenna I definately don't want, and Manely has already said he ain't running. which leaves Rock, Ignatieff(should he run), and few others.

Ignatieff I really don't like. First off, he keeps getting comparisons to Trudeau which really dont' make sense to me at all. Now that he'd be a bad PM, but I think that it's a bit premature to give him such a lofty comparison. In fact, when watching a profile of the riding he was running in on CPAC(I'm one of like three guys who watch CPAC, and i'm sure the other two guys just can't find the remote to change the channel) and to be honest, he didn't really impress me. Of course, most of the piece featured him defending himself against he attacks(not really canadian, anti-ukranian, bad nomination process) so I suppose I shouldn't judge him on that, but to say the least, the program didn't leave me with a good impression. Mind you all the other candidiates didnt' look all that great either.

Mackenna though seems to be the front runner, or at least all eyes are on him. and I never liked the guy, I dunno something makes me distrust him.

However, what I'm really amazed at is the fact that there seems to be a complete lack of Francophone candidates out there. So, I'll give two names that I'd love to see run. First guy, Pierre Pettigrew. First off, just look at that hair, clearly the best i the house. I mean, that already gives him a huge edge in the race over his opponents. Oh yeah, he has plenty of cabinet experience, and is a devout free trader(got my vote already, should I become a member).

The other francophone name I'll put forward is Martin Cauchon. Socially quite liberal(in favour of same-sex marriage and decriminalization of mary jane) and a supporter of John Manley so, he must be a bit fiscally conservative. When he was in the house, I remember him coming across as quite charismatic, and at times blunt(specially about whether or not he used pot in the past).

Now, if either of these guys can win, I don't know. But I will say this, I'd support either of them if they ran in this leadership campaign.

Looks like McKenna is out of the race.

Tobin Out

well, the news just gets worse for the Liberals, Tobin out, Mackenna Out, Manley out. That means the big three are all out, so who the hell is left? Bob Rae, Scott Brison, Micheal Ignatieff, Belinda Stronach. Whoever is up next, better be prepared to be the sacrifical lamb, because it is looking more and more like the Liberals are far worse off then could have been possibly imagined.

Tobin??? Good grief... Come on man... :(

Well... I think Ignatief will step up now. I'm very undecided about that guy but he will be very interesting to watch. My preference is for Scott Brison. The fact he is gay will probably undermine his chances of winning seats in central and western Canada, but I think he has a great sense as to what the LP should stand for.

As for Bob Rae... Unless he proves and shows otherwise I think he could be disastrous for the Liberal Party's future. The LP's strong base of voters is in Ontario. I could see many red seats in Ontario turning orange and blue if Bob Rae would step up as a Liberal leader while keeping in-line with policies he supported as Premier of Ontario.

Ignatief appears to be the most sensible choice allthough I don't really know much about the guy.

And now for something completely different...



Ignatieff and Rae sitting in a tree... :lol:

I would like to quote a friend of mine, if I may: "They (the liberal party) have a duty to their country to not let Belinda Stronach get to the top of ANY poltical party."

Update: Alan Rock is also out of the race. He announced it a couple of days ago.

So who's left? Ignatieff, Stronach? Dear God. The Liberal party is a sinking ship...

well, if there's anything we should've learned these last few years, never, ever, count out your opponent. The Conservatives would be wise to remember that.

Now that being said, with all the big guns out, it's a very interesting race now. Brison, Ignatieff, Stronach. All fairly young(sides Ignatieff who's late fifties, I think), which I think is what we need. the party needs major reform from top to bottom. All the mentioned cadidates I think are willing to do that. Of course, I have been wrong before.

Ignatieff is starting to look like the best option. It seems that everyone is stepping aside to make way for him. He doesn't have a political record so he's definitely something fresh and new. This also works against him since we don't really know what his stand is on many issues. I've read pundits calling him everything from a right-wing nationalist to a Trudeau style leftist.

He Keeps putting his foot in his Mouth

My opinion has changed since "Feb 7 2006"

I'm sure I had posted this already, but here goes again. My favourite going in to the convention is Kennedy.

Come one Iggie

I'd Love Kennedy too

AND Stephanie Dion WINS!!!


wow didn't see that one comming, and boy oh boy does he not stick out.


Looks like the liberals may just lose the election again.

The Liberals choosing Dion is the equivilent of the Blue Jays trading Rob Ducey to the Philles in exchange for Rob Ducey.

dunno. do you think this was more of a grass roots rally?

Honestly, I don't think the Liberals have much of a chance in the next election. When the Conservatives were in the opposition, they made themselves known. We heard from them a lot more than we hear from the Liberals now.

They had an unfair advantage. The Conservatives had opinions on issues.

:eyebrow:

Stéphane Dion is dangerous for everyone. French Quebecers Liberal leaders have always been dangerous, I tell you. Should be outlawed or something.

By the way, YTMND, were you joking when you spelled his name Stephanie? ^_^

Personally I think he's just what the doctor ordered if he can make his three pillar (prosperity, social justice, environment) program work. He's a great policy man, a walking encyclopedia of policy solutions. I'm totally and shamelessly biased but I like his chances and the early polls seem favourable, including Quebec. I think the NDP will be hit the hardest with Dion leading the grits.

As well the Liberal my support the Greens to undercut the NDP :fonz: