Liberal Leadership Idol Part Deux

Stephen Harper hasn't even been sworn in as prime minister yet and three front-runners (Manley, McKenna, Tobin) have decided they don't want the job. Some conservative pundits are all-over the Liberals saying no one wants to run for them. But I think the Liberals want a leader in a region they are weak in (not from Ontario or Atlantic Canada). Also they probably want a young leader to add some new strength into a party that has been dragged through the mud. Since there are three front-runners no longer in the race I decided to expand my orginal list from 10 potential candidates to 20. It's possible a dark horse candidate could make a splash. Remember, nobody heard of Belinda Stronach before she ran for the conservative leadership.

11. Gerard Kennedy

I never heard of him before the Liberals lost the election. But since the Liberals lost, former Chretien backers are supporting Kennedy for Canada's top job. He was born in Manitoba, went to the U of A in Edmonton where he setup Canada's first food bank and now is education minister in Ontario.

12. Justin Trudeau

He did give that stirring eulogy for his father a few years ago. He lives in BC and might be able to deliver some BC votes. Also, he's young and he might be able to revitalize the party solely on his charisma. But he has no political experience.

13. Allan Rock

Gun registry plagued his cabinet career. But he is on the left-side of the Liberal party and has some charisma.

14. David Orchard

He had a cult like following in the old progressive conservative party. Orchard is a strong nationalist and that movement isn't represented by a specific political party today. Plus he hates MacKay and the new Conservative party more than in any other Canadian. Some of values are in contrast to Liberal values. He opposses free trade, gun control, and wants a stronger military. But he does want more federal power and weakended provincial power.

15. Joe Volpe

Ontario MP with Italian heritage. Carolyn Parish once referred to him as part of the "pasta caucus" of the liberal party. He served as a minister under Martin and seen as a Martinite. That might not be a good thing if the Liberals want to regain lost territory.

16. Glen Murray

He was the first openly gay mayor of a Large North American City. (Winnipeg) He was seen as a strong mayor but failed to win a seat for the Liberals when he ran in the 2004 election.

17. Maurizio Bevilacqua

Six-time Toronto area MP has access to influential backers but nobody outside of Toronto has ever heard of him. His riding is one of the most largest in population in Canada.

18. Ujjal Dosanjh

Name is now clearned in Grewal affair. He is a former NDP Premier of BC and Health minister. He could recapture progressive voters, he's from the west, and a minority.

19. Jane Stewart

Sounds like she is serious of making a bid for the leadership. Took heat for the Human Resources scandal but further investigation cleared her and her department.

20. Anne Mclellan

She's a former deputy prime minister and from Alberta. McLellan could sell Liberals on a strategy of how to win in the west without alienating their Ontario and Maritime base.