WHO IS STEPHANE DION?
When you look at the 8 candidates that entered the Liberal leadership convention over the weekend you could see a vast array of backgrounds. You had a former Progressive Conservative, a former NDP premier, a political newbie, etc. It looked promising for the Liberals that they were finally going to be able to initiate some change at the helm. So why in the hell did the choose Stephane Dion?
Out of all of the possible options Dion is the closest to the old Liberal ways under Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. Dion is no newcomer to Canadian federal politics. He has served as a cabinet minister for both Chretien and Martin and knows a thing or two when it comes to the House of Commons. The big focus of the leadership campaign that I saw was a focus on change. They wanted to choose a new leader who would help rebuild and unify the party and to give it a new look as it goes up against Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. But than they go and choose more of the same.
Dion was the Intergovernmental Affairs Minister under Chretien and held the Environment post under Martin. It has taken a lot of heat from both of these positions. With Michael Ignatieff they could have had a fresh face with new ideas. Which is probably why he first going into the convention on the weekend, first after the first ballot, and first after the second ballot. With Bob Rae they could have had a seasoned politician, but still fresh to the Liberals. Which is probably why he was the other front runner in the race, But instead, they chose Stephane Dion. A face that fits in with the likes of the four men you see in the picture above. All of which are former leaders of the Liberal Party and all of which have previously been Prime Minister with the exceptions of Dion and Bill Graham, who became the interim leader after Paul Martin stepped down.
These five men belong to the old school of Liberals, the ones that have been in power for the last 12 years, the ones with all of the corruption and scandals. This convention was supposed to be a step away from all of that. A step towards a new beginning with a new face and new ideas. Instead, nothing has really changed in the Liberal party. They have named a leader that represents everything they were supposedly trying to change. Dion's track record as intergovernmental affairs and environment minister were far from stellar and for the Liberals sake let's hope he does a better job at leading the party.
- DCM
Out of all of the possible options Dion is the closest to the old Liberal ways under Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. Dion is no newcomer to Canadian federal politics. He has served as a cabinet minister for both Chretien and Martin and knows a thing or two when it comes to the House of Commons. The big focus of the leadership campaign that I saw was a focus on change. They wanted to choose a new leader who would help rebuild and unify the party and to give it a new look as it goes up against Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. But than they go and choose more of the same.
Dion was the Intergovernmental Affairs Minister under Chretien and held the Environment post under Martin. It has taken a lot of heat from both of these positions. With Michael Ignatieff they could have had a fresh face with new ideas. Which is probably why he first going into the convention on the weekend, first after the first ballot, and first after the second ballot. With Bob Rae they could have had a seasoned politician, but still fresh to the Liberals. Which is probably why he was the other front runner in the race, But instead, they chose Stephane Dion. A face that fits in with the likes of the four men you see in the picture above. All of which are former leaders of the Liberal Party and all of which have previously been Prime Minister with the exceptions of Dion and Bill Graham, who became the interim leader after Paul Martin stepped down.
These five men belong to the old school of Liberals, the ones that have been in power for the last 12 years, the ones with all of the corruption and scandals. This convention was supposed to be a step away from all of that. A step towards a new beginning with a new face and new ideas. Instead, nothing has really changed in the Liberal party. They have named a leader that represents everything they were supposedly trying to change. Dion's track record as intergovernmental affairs and environment minister were far from stellar and for the Liberals sake let's hope he does a better job at leading the party.
- DCM
Comments
your asian
kimmy