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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Cauchon
Few cases better illustrate why the procedure of appointing candidates in ridings is at best wrong-headed and at worse, a disgrace.
The Liberals would have a very good chance at recapturing Outremont if Martin Cauchon were their candidate. Clearly, he wanted the job. It's easy to understand why: Cauchon has always wanted to be leader, and he smells blood. He knows that if Iggy loses, he'll likely resign and it will be the turn of a francophone to lead the federal Liberal Party. He also knows that he has now been out of elected politics for some time, and people are starting to forget him. It was now or never.
But Ignatieff's Québec lieutenant is man named Denis Coderre -- a man who also wants to be the next leader. There is no way Coderre is going to allow Cauchon to return. Instead, the party is running a relative unknown (sorry, but a high-profile business career -- especially in Canada -- does not make you a household name) and will stand a far greater risk of losing the riding for a third straight time to Tom Mulcair. Incidentally, Mulcair is likely to run (and in my view, win) the NDP leadership once Jack Layton steps down, which will pose serious problems in Quebec for the Liberals.
Iggy cannot defy Coderre due to all the support he's given him, so he's doing what he can to pay back his loyal soldier. This move is truly astonishing -- actually, its indefensible. Big winners here are the NDP, and to a lesser extent, the Tories.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 9:50 PM
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