It is now very difficult to imagine Dion, Rae or any large number of their supporters going to Ignatieff. This makes Gerard Kennedy, who after all has more delegates than Dion, a wild card. And for the front-runner, a lifeline. It would be amazing to me if Ignatieff is not making extravagant promises to Kennedy.Not too long ago, it looked like Ignatieff was a shoe-in for the leadership. But the arrogance and sense of presumption surrounding his campaign has made enemies out of the people he needs to vote for him.
Kennedy had better not ask for anything in writing. Ignatieff seems unconvinced of the value of what he writes.
Because, you know, it worked so well for Paul Martin.
On a slightly different note, even if Kennedy went for Ignatieff - an event I would rate as likely as rivers running with blood and toads falling from the sky - it still leaves him just shy of 50%. This may mean that the 5%ers - Dryden, Volpe, Brison - actually have a role to play in this race yet.
2 comments:
The Cat doubts that the delegates supporting Kennedy would follow him over to Ignatieff.
There is a broad distinction in this contest for the soul of the Liberal Party (and hence of Canada) between the militaristic warrior prince (Ignatieff), and the other candidates.
Dion put his finger on this in the last debate. Read the article Dion referred to in his closing statement, and ask yourself: Do Kennedy's supporters agree with Ignatieff's recommendation to the President of the US, to send the troops in to impose a US-decided solution on Israel and Palestine?
And would these supporters want Canadian troops dedicated to that purpose, should Ignatieff become Prime Minister?
Unlikely.
Kennedy's platform is further from Ignatieff than either Rae or Dion. Kennedy is the only candidate to call for a reevaluation of our role in Afghanistan and precondition our continued participation based on a change in direction.
As you said, it'll be a frigid day down under before Kennedy or his backers go to Ignatieff. And if he did, I'd want my money back!
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