The Popular Choice

Former NDP Premier of Ontario, Bob Rae, whose mandate to lead the province out of a surprise vote that took the previous Liberal government out of power, and whose handling of the economy was so ham-handed during his tenure that the voters brought in a "common-sense-revolution" Conservative government that hammered them into insensibility, is now ready to lead the country in a resurgent, ready-to-go Liberal party leadership.

This hugely intelligent (we're told) politician who left the NDP for the greener pastures of the Liberals, has been idled while the Liberals have indeed been put out to pasture by an electorate that had enough and more than enough of Liberal rule.  He was forced by circumstances quite beyond his control to suffer years of ignominious downtime while two other candidates for the leadership had their turn before he was able to launch himself as interim leader.

Interim leader, with the fundamental understanding, according to NDP 'rules' that he could undertake the interim leadership, but would not be permitted to seek the permanent leadership.  No problem, with that.  He was so anxious to take a leadership role in the party, whatever the consequences, that he readily agreed not to seek permanent status.  That was then, this is now; an inconsequential little violation of a pledge, that's all.

He has, after all, had ample practise at this kind of thing; he's a politician to the core, and what works for most politicians who wager on the short memory of the electorate is good enough for him, too.  Now he awaits word whether the Liberal party national executive will see its way clear to lifting that restriction, inviting Mr. Rae to continue his well-entrenched position as party leader.

Oh, dear, wait:  A recent Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Postmedia and Global News sought data on how Canadians feel about who they would most like to see as leader of the pooped-out party.  Thirty-five percent of respondents recorded positive impressions of Justin Trudeau.  But Justin Trudeau is not running for the leadership now, is he?  Not now, but who knows what might happen in a month.

That 35% doubles the number who felt Bob Rae would better represent the interests of the party and the country; 18% reported positively for Bob Rae.  The other potential candidates in descending order, pretty dismal by comparison, with Marc Garneau placing third at 16%, Gerard Kennedy following, then David Mcguinty and Dominic LeBlanc pulling in last.

So, this just in: the voting public prefers flash, flair and flamboyance.  To tried-and-untrue.  The public gives preference to Justin Trudeau, over the incumbent and likely winner should Mr. Trudeau continue to baffle expectations; both candidates having claimed on previous occasions that they would not run for the leadership. 

Hang in there, we may yet see the farce play itself out to confound us all.