Ignatieff, Rae, and Simpson
Liberal Leadership Hopefuls
As pol freaks know, Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae were roomies at the U of T in the 1950s. Childhood friends, and both children of diplomats they have gone on to write important books (Ignatieff more than Rae) and participate actively in public life (Rae more than Ignatieff).
I like the ancient Roman practice of appointing two consuls to govern the republic. How could this work in the Canadian political realm? Well, they could do a Martin-Chretien double-team action. But that doesn't quite meet the test.
Jeffrey Simpson elucidates his unenlightened opinion in the Globe yesterday, arguing that Ignatieff's AWOL in England and America is proof that he is not a serious potential leader. I guess he knows just how cool it is to live in the same city for most of your life and stare at your belly-button.
Canadians are international citizens. Canadians are Canadians in Geneva, Prague, Afghanistan, London, and Boston. Exporting our talent and values is possibly the proudest thing we do. We should take pride in the success of men like Ignatieff abroad and, for example, Louise Arbour. Arbour has made her most significant contributions to the res publica while at The Hague. I would take her as my leader any day over some trial lawyer from Toronto who's been rubbing elbows with Canadian money all his career and calling it public service (a hypothetical reference, I assure you). A person's address has no bearing on his suitability for public office. Let's judge a man by the quality of his acts, his contributions, his opinions, and his potential. Surely that's a better point de départ than his former addresses (which incidentally make for a kick-ass CV).
The Liberals can pick any leader they want. The stay-at-home bodies should take their heads out of the sand.
As pol freaks know, Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae were roomies at the U of T in the 1950s. Childhood friends, and both children of diplomats they have gone on to write important books (Ignatieff more than Rae) and participate actively in public life (Rae more than Ignatieff).
I like the ancient Roman practice of appointing two consuls to govern the republic. How could this work in the Canadian political realm? Well, they could do a Martin-Chretien double-team action. But that doesn't quite meet the test.
Jeffrey Simpson elucidates his unenlightened opinion in the Globe yesterday, arguing that Ignatieff's AWOL in England and America is proof that he is not a serious potential leader. I guess he knows just how cool it is to live in the same city for most of your life and stare at your belly-button.
Canadians are international citizens. Canadians are Canadians in Geneva, Prague, Afghanistan, London, and Boston. Exporting our talent and values is possibly the proudest thing we do. We should take pride in the success of men like Ignatieff abroad and, for example, Louise Arbour. Arbour has made her most significant contributions to the res publica while at The Hague. I would take her as my leader any day over some trial lawyer from Toronto who's been rubbing elbows with Canadian money all his career and calling it public service (a hypothetical reference, I assure you). A person's address has no bearing on his suitability for public office. Let's judge a man by the quality of his acts, his contributions, his opinions, and his potential. Surely that's a better point de départ than his former addresses (which incidentally make for a kick-ass CV).
The Liberals can pick any leader they want. The stay-at-home bodies should take their heads out of the sand.
posted by Lt Smash at 12:50 PM
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