Maurizio Bevilacqua's former British Columbia campaign chair Karn Manhas says the Vaughn MP's decision to pull out of the Liberal leadership race and support Bob Rae "blew me away." Speaking with Public Eye, Mr. Manhas said "He's from Ontario. He does have a safe seat. But Ontario is one of the most important provinces for us to have support if we're ever to form government. I'm from B.C., but my impression is that Rae was a disaster as premier of Ontario."

Mr. Manhas - who supported Mr. Bevilacqua "for his principles" - adds "I think Rae is a nice guy. I don't think he's as fiscally left-wing ideologically as people say. But, for me, I can't get over the uncomfortable feeling of somebody who joins my party just in time to run for the leader of it."

For his own part, the former provincial Liberal backbencher says he's supporting Stephane Dion because "he's the best consensus choice. I respect his work on national unity. I worked with him when I was a MLA. I worked with him when I represented the province at the ministerial conference on Francophone affairs. He's extremely intelligent and has got a lot of integrity. Over the course of helping Maurizio in his campaign, the biggest issue I heard on the campaign - from Liberals and non-Liberals - was the issue of past scandals and integrity. I'm really comfortable with my decision because Stephane Dion is a symbol of integrity."

Mr. Manhas also has strong social and political connections to Mark Marissen, Mr. Dion's national campaign coordinator.