Bevilacqua/ Ignatieff - Updates in Liberal Leadership Race

I am sure everyone is aware by now, but for those who don't I am going to mention that Bevilacqua's key supporter's have decided to Endorse Michael Ignatieff. Surprised? Not really. It was, I think, obvious that all of Bevilacqua's guys would not follow suit and go over to Rae. The Hon. Roy Cullen, MP for Etobicoke North, the Hon. Gerry Byrne, MP for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, Michael Marzolini, Chairman and CEO of POLLARA Inc., and Tenio Evangelista, Vice-President responsible for Government Relations at Borealis Infrastructure, have all endorsed Michael Ignatieff as next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

I think as more candidates drop out of the race, we will see a lot of their supporters moving towards Ignatieff. Not because he is deeemed the front runner either. But because his policies seem to be attracting more people then the others. He is showing real leadership as December approaches and its showing through with initiatives like his Environmental policy which was just released today. I suggest reading it.

Basically, Ignatieff proposes a new plan to combat Environmental concerns. This includes a long term plan that is aimed at reducing levels to 50% of the amount in 1990 by the year 2050.

Bevilacqua out of Race

So Mr. Bevilacqua is the first to drop out of the Liberal Leadership Race. Delcaring support for Candidate Bob Rae though is not something I would have seen him doing.

The number one reason being thrown around for his decision to drop out is money and his lack of it. Which is understandable but given his choice of candidate to support I think that there may have been more to the decision then meets the eye. Perhaps some background work that went on? But I am on the outside so I cant speculate any further on that presumption, but I will say e that I still don't think Rae will be able to obtain the amount of support he is going to need to win this thing. Not that I ever thought he would be able to given his unpopularity in Ontario. Bevilacqua's people may add a few numbers but Rae still won't be able to win because of Ontario.

So in the end I dont think Maurizio's support will really add much to Rae's campaign. Bevilacqua never had a chance to win, I think that is obvious, and he made a decision that I think others will be making as well. But he is a good speaker and a smart man so I wouldn't mind seeing him move up in the party.

Just some general thoughts...

Wajid Khan, a Temp. conservative advisor: What? Why?

So Wajid Khan has accepted Prime Minister Harper's appointment for him to become his Special advisor to the Middle East. But Mr. Khan just so happens to be the Liberal Defence Critic. Advising the Conservative government on how to deal with the Middle East conflict - a small conflict of interest? I think so.

My question is directed to Mr. Khan: Why would you set aside your responsibilities as a Liberal and succumb to Mr. Harper’s so obvious game of political manipulation?

It is not a wise move on his part because, even though he is a Liberal and always will be, it is difficult for him to remain part of Liberal discussions when he is reporting directly to the Conservative leader. I agree with many of the criticisms he has been receiving because it is quite obvious that Mr. Harper is trying to use the idea of non-partisanship to increase numbers in the polls. He has done it with David Emerson, with Michael Fortier etc. At a time when Liberals are coming closer to the Conservatives in the polls, and when the Leadership convention is coming up not to far off, it makes me a little uneasy to know that a Liberal is assisting, I think is a fair choice of words, the Conservatives in their plot against the Liberals.

For the time being should Mr. Khan be “banned” from caucus discussions while he is reporting to the PM? I would think yes, as it is a clear conflict of interest to be working both sides (even though he is giving up his spot as defence critic, he is still a Liberal) with the same degree of dedication and commitment to the Party; but who says I am right ?

What do you think?

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The Middle-East

What is really happening in the Middle East right now? There is so much criticism going on with Liberal Leadership hopefuls and between parties. But is there any real solutions being proposed by any of them that have a sliver of probability of working? It’s hard to tell whether any of the so called ‘discussions’ about the issue really amount to much anyway.

If there is anything more sickening than a war, its politicians playing the good ol game of politics. That is to say they continue to use rhetoric to appeal to the majority of the Canadian population without really considering the moral cost of a war as it is. Hearing stories from people living in Lebanon and Israel both claiming all they yearn for is peace, and having the Politicians claming they have the answer and the other guy doesn’t, its easy to see why conflict resolution is so hard. The people who are supposed to be able to assist the conflict aren’t really concerned with the outcome at all; they are instead more interested in getting ahead in their political career.

But it is not all politicians, though it is most, who play this game. Mr. Rae has taken his dig at Mr. Ignatieff over his delayed response to the war, and Mr. Dion has expressed his arrogant side insisting that Mr. Ignatieff has ‘followed his lead’, while Mr. Harper continues to play his own game claiming Liberal are disunited. I have to say that Mr. Ignatieff response is one of the best, not because he said it first or because he is offering something completely new, but because he did not jump to ensure he got to the finish line first. He thought, waited and responded appropriately to a situation that require more than just on an on the spot gut response.

Is it not better to have given even a thread of thought to an answer before answering, than to have just given an answer that is suppose to presumably ensure they take lead in the polls?

That’s just my thoughts about the bigger picture.

Fundraising Efforts

According to an Elections Canada report it appears that Liberal Leadership Candidate Bob Rae has reached #1 in terms of fundraising efforts, reaching $384,795. Coming in second was Michael Ignatieff with $293,896 and third place goes to Joe Volpe with $210,170. With the other 8 candidates not even coming close to the hundred thousand mark at this point.

While the rules say each candidate may spend a max of $3.4 million on their campaign - it doesn't seem that any of the candidates will be able to reach this distant number. With the whole 'grassroots' movement going on it is that much more difficult for candidates to raise large amounts and also with the number of candidates vowing for funds, the donations are being split 11 ways essentially.

This makes fundraising quite the ordeal for many of the campaigns. Notably for Ken Dryden who was obliged to lay off a number of campaign workers due to a lack of adequate finances.

But while Dryden suffers financially mid way through his campaign, Ignatieff appears to lead the way in terms of progression on the grassroots level . Ignatieff has the highest number of donors -510 to be specific- which is far beyond anyone else in this race now. Quite impressive for a candidate people claimed was too "out of touch" with the average Canadian if you ask me.

But far from being done, each campaign still has more than enough work cut out for them.

The first words

Well this is just the beginning of what I hope will be an eventful blog. With so much going on now with the Liberal Leadership race I have become immersed in the blog world and can not seem to get out. Therefore, I thought to myself its about time I start one of my own. And so I did! I will try to keep recent information flowing through and hope that its initiates a wide variety of thoughtful opinions and discussions.

Afterall, freedom of speech is something all of us should take advantage of.

And now I leave you with a quote: "The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions." Confucius The Analects