As our astute readers will already know, supposed federal Liberal leadership candidate Stephane Dion will be making a campaign whistelstop in British Columbia this weekend. And, like Scott Brison before him, Mr. Dion will receive the honour of a reception hosted by former provincial cabinet minister Christy Clark and her uber-backroomer husband Mark Marissen. The following is an edited copy of the invite, which again notes "This is neither intended nor should be interpreted as an endorsement or support of any particular candidate for the upcoming leadership race in the Liberal Party of Canada but rather a chance to meet and help form the debate to ensure BC issues are front and centre."
From: Bill Cunningham [mailto:bill@billcunningham.ca]
Sent: February 28, 2006 10:40 AM
To: bill@billcunningham.ca
Subject: You are cordially invited
You are cordially invited to a reception with
Hon. Stephane Dion
Saturday, March 4, 2006
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Christy Clark and Mark Marissen
Please join us as we discuss the future of the Liberal Party of Canada and the LPC in B.C.
This reception is another in a series of similar gatherings in British Columbia featuring prominent Liberals from across Canada.
We think it is important to have an open dialogue about the future of our Party and who should lead it. This is neither intended nor should be interpreted as an endorsement or support of any particular candidate for the upcoming leadership race in the Liberal Party of Canada but rather a chance to meet and help form the debate to ensure BC issues are front and centre.
The Liberal race will heat up when Michael Ignatief formally enters the race.
No, the race will heat up when there are formal rules announced and a convention date and location decided upon. Even people foolish enough to be Liberals wouldn't throw their hats into an undefined race. The joke candidates will announce early, so your time is running out Eugene!
Michael Ignatieff? Stephane Dion? Jaheasus Christ, thank God allmighty I'm a New Democrat for life? These two are about as out of touch with the average workin' man as you can get. I can just see this meet and greet now, with lattees all around and a big heaping bowl of baba ghanouj. I was getting pretty fed up with the Federal NDP and thinking of going Liberal, especially when I saw Dan Miller and the Glenster leaning that way... but now, the NDP is the only party, freaky as it is, which stands for the working man. Put another way, the NDP has urban lefty freaks too, but they are the minority no matter what they claim. Normal, sane, non-freaky working people int he Liberals. Probably not too many.
can't the libs find some higer profile candidates?
wow, Dion, Brison..the libs are done for a long time
Johnny, I think history will show that the Liberals are NEVER done for a long time.
"I think history will show that the Liberals are NEVER done for a long time."
The media likes Mr. Ignatieff. They find him more engaging than Harper. Having someone capable of engaging the press versus Mr. Harper's bunker mentality will result in the press pumping Michael Ignatieff and trivializing Stephen Harper. Liberals tend to pick leaders that can do the waltz with the press… and that is one reason the Liberals are never truly out of the race... and one reason the Liberals race will heat up a lot once Ignatieff is offically declared a candidate. The media loves a truly literate man and Ignatieff is that.
Ignatieff is interesting but really hasn't done anything yet to impress anybody. He'll need better organizational muscle in BC than his current crop of dufusses to get anywhere here.
No non bilingual candidate has a chance, probably no non-Quebecer.
Ignatieff may be liked by the press, probably because they want to write a lot of stories about the torture approving pro-war Liberal candidate. He has no chance with the membership, the different special interest group/"commissions" with their affirmative action delegates ensure that.
Bob Rae, maybe. Martin Cauchon is the guy to watch. Bet he doesn't show up at the Marissen residence.
Jean writes: "Ignatieff is interesting but really hasn't done anything yet to impress anybody."
Stephen Harper had nothing of meaning on his resume. In contrast, Ignatieff actually has/had an academic career. His publications are far more interesting and vetted (Igantieff is the more literate of the two). Ignatieff's work survived in serious circles whereas Harper was limited to op eds. We shall see how Ignatieff does in front of a crowd. If there is strength there, then there is a possibility of something serious.
Jean also writes: " He'll need better organizational muscle in BC..."
That's a definite. One would figure that all the potential candidates are doing the party rounds raising commitments and attempting to mobilize ground support.
Dagmar, you don't have to worry about any lattee sipping going on at Christy's reception for Dion. The only way Christy and Mark will serve up lattee is if it's spiked with liquor.
Well folks .... the Liberal leadership race is shaping up between Blue Liberal Belinda versus a gaggle of Red Liberals .... Stop Belinda will be their chorus call ... !!!
It's reported that Reg Alcock was appointed to co-chair the Belinda unofficial non-existent leadership campaign. I think we can call Reggie a Blue Liberal based on his past govt reputation.
Also it was reported that Anne McLellan is boosting Bob Rae's leadership ... definitely a Red Liberal.
The other big name non-candidate is Frank McKenna .. a sort of middle of the road Red-Blue Liberal .... who has told Mike Duffy on CTV, that he would consider returning to politics if the country were in dire need of his services .... and I would think that the Liberal party would be in dire need of his services if it looked like Blue Belinda was emerging as a serious leadership candidate !!
IT'S STARTED FOLKS .... THE LIBERAL RED BLUE SHOW .... AND YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST .... !!!!!