Liberals
So it looks like, as expected, Stephane Dion is falling on his own sword and stepping down as leader of the Liberal party. I think that's unfortunate, both because I like the man and because I think that blaming him for the party's loss is ignoring some of the larger issues affecting the party (but that's another post for another time).
The problem with Dion leaving, however, is that there's not really anyone to replace him. Ignatieff is far stuffier, more "academic", and more lacking in charisma than Dion's critics ever charged him with being, and policy-wise is far closer to Harper than I'd be willing to support. Go with Rae and you lose a lot more support in Ontario, which is still one of the few areas that the Libs have support in. I personally don't think Rae's time as premier has been judged fairly by history, but I know my opinion is in the minority. Gerard Kennedy could be a good choice, but he's hasn't done much to establish himself on the national stage.
I've also heard some support for both Justin Trudeau and Ruby Dhalla, but I think they are both a little inexperienced still, and that a lot of their support boils down to "his dad was Prime Minister" and "she's really hot" respectively. In ten years either one of them could be amazing, however.
Well, whoever gets picked, I'm sure the Conservative attack ads against them will start up within a week following. Hopefully this time, at least, they'll remember that they're the government and stop acting like the Opposition.
The problem with Dion leaving, however, is that there's not really anyone to replace him. Ignatieff is far stuffier, more "academic", and more lacking in charisma than Dion's critics ever charged him with being, and policy-wise is far closer to Harper than I'd be willing to support. Go with Rae and you lose a lot more support in Ontario, which is still one of the few areas that the Libs have support in. I personally don't think Rae's time as premier has been judged fairly by history, but I know my opinion is in the minority. Gerard Kennedy could be a good choice, but he's hasn't done much to establish himself on the national stage.
I've also heard some support for both Justin Trudeau and Ruby Dhalla, but I think they are both a little inexperienced still, and that a lot of their support boils down to "his dad was Prime Minister" and "she's really hot" respectively. In ten years either one of them could be amazing, however.
Well, whoever gets picked, I'm sure the Conservative attack ads against them will start up within a week following. Hopefully this time, at least, they'll remember that they're the government and stop acting like the Opposition.