Liberal Leadership Idol Redux

Two years ago the Liberals went through a year long leadership contest to choose their new leader. Paul Martin was surprisingly defeated and they hoped a year long contest would help them find the next Trudeau. The Liberal Leadership race showed how archaic the party is. The delegates have too much power and individual voters are only able to participate on the first ballot. After the first ballot Martin loyalists supported Ignatieff, Chretien loyalists supported Rae, and the grassroots delegates supported Dion/Ignatieff who combined their support to win the leadership.

The race hasn't officially started but if the Liberals want to change the first place they should change is how they select the Liberal leader. Rather than letting the delegates choose the leader the individual members should be given the power. Belinda Stronach has lobbied for a member one vote process but there are issues with that process. If that's how the party selects the leader over half of the members will be from Ontario and smaller Liberal support in Western Canada won't have a say on where the party should be headed so the Liberals can be competitive in every region. The liberals should copy the conservatives leadership selection process. Every riding should be given 100 points and the popular support in each riding will be candidates voting totals. Each member would be empowered and be allowed to choose their top 2 or 3 candidates and after lower candidates are knocked off the ballot the individual voters not the delegates will choose the next leader.

Here's the top 10 Liberal Leadership Contenders and a link to my top 10 last time:

1. Michael Ignatieff

Pros: He was first on the initial ballot last time and despite being a rookie politician hasn't made any serious missteps as the deputy Liberal leader.

Cons: He is viewed by some as an American sympathizer and his intellectual background can make him look arrogant. Unlike other front-runners he has no experience as a cabinet minister.

Strategy: Ignatieff will assemble the same team he used last time and run a campaign that will state things would have been different if he won the leadership last time.

2. Bob Rae

Pros: Rae was second on the initial ballot last time. He defeated a popular Ontario premier and was pivotal in the defeat of Joe Clark's minority government.

Cons: The economy is in disarray and Rae's economic record as Premier of Ontario is something he doesn't want to brag about.

Strategy: Rae will run as the party's most visible left of centre candidate who will lure NDP supporters back to the Liberals.

3. Frank McKenna

Pros: McKenna won every single seat in New Brunswick when he was premier in the 80's. He has had success in the financial sector and was a former ambassador to the US.

Cons: He likely won't run period. He was rumoured to run in the last 3 leadership contests but because there was doubt if he could win he chickened out.

Strategy: McKenna's presense will immediately siphon support from Ignatieff and his record as a winner will convert Liberals who want to win now.

4. John Manley

Pros: Manley was a former deputy Prime Minister who served as the finance, foreign affairs, and industry minister in Chretien's cabinet. He was second in membership sales against the Martin machine before he dropped out.

Cons: He didn't run last-time and some of his supporters in the Martin leadership race may stick with the Ignatieff or Rae camps. Manley is on the right-side of the party and he will have to convince Liberals he can win over conservative voters.

Strategy: If Manley wants to win he should mimic Hillary Clinton's strategy. He was in government and can be trusted to make the tough decisions.

5. Ujjal Dosanjh

Pros: Dosanjh is a former Premier and Health minister who is a minority and on the left-side of the party.

Cons: Dosanjh barely hung on to his seat and most Liberals will likely support an Ontario leader who can win back Ontario.

Strategy: Dosanjh will appeal to minorities and western Liberal supporters who want the Liberals to be more competitive in the west.

6. Belinda Stronach

Pros: Stronach finished second to Harper in the last conservative race and has lobbied for changes to the Liberal Leadership process.

Cons: Canadians haven't rewarded party defectors with the leadership of their new party.

Strategy: Stronach will try to appeal to female supporters and more right-wing Liberals who feel the party is moving to far to the left.

7. David Orchard

Pros: Orchard had a strong showing in the last PC leadership race despite being considered a tourist in the party.

Cons: Orchard's anti-free trade stance is at odds with many Liberals who now accept Free Trade.

Strategy: Unlike all other major hopefuls Orchard lives in a rural riding and if he wins he could help the Liberals challenge the conservatives in rural and Western Canada.

8. Gerard Kennedy

Pros: Kennedy came out of nowhere last time thanks to a strong internet presence and finished in the top 4.

Cons: Kennedy is responsible for the selection of Dion as Liberal leader and will not win over Liberals supporters who feel Dion's selection was a mistake.

Strategy: Kennedy will use his youth and try to capitalize on the Obama momentum by arguing electing a leader in his 60's is not the best way to revitalize the party.

9. Justin Trudeau

Pros: Despite not serving a single day in parliament yet there is already a draft Justin movement based solely on his father's name.

Cons: Trudeau's name still has baggage and Justin Trudeau is a novice politician.

Strategy: If he has a chance of winning Trudeau must convince Quebec is worth investing time in and he must make an impression early in parliament.

10. Ruby Dhalla

Pros: She will be one the youngest contenders for the leadership who is entering her third parliament as an MP.

Cons: Dhalla hasn't held a major portfolio and it's likely too early for her to be considered a serious leadership contender.

Strategy: Dhalla like Dosanjh is a minority who is younger and her acting experience will give her an edge in speeches and debates.