I've been ignoring the current controversy over the Liberal nomination in Outremont until I read this at CTV and a particular phrase jumped out at me.
The fierce squabble over Martin Cauchon's political comeback is symptomatic of a party that has lost sight of the most basic tenets of democracy, says a former national director of the Liberal party.
"We've turned into one big appointment society," Sheila Gervais told The Canadian Press.
"It's a perfect democratic deficit storm."
I remember the democratic deficit. It's that thing that Paul Martin was going to eliminate. I don't think I've used the phrase here since a short post to mark Martin's resignation as Liberal leader which I ended with:
Democracy begins at home.
I don't think Iggy heard me.
The Libs have an enormous opportunity in the next election in Quebec, which they might end up pissing away. Cauchon seems to understand this. There is also an attempt to push Dion off his St-Laurent riding, despite the fact they love him there and voted overwhelmingly for him on the night Paul Martin resigned. Dion can still be a huge asset for the party - just ask Joe Clark. If Coderre's hand-picked female candidate is such great shakes, she could put up a fight for the Outremont riding (or why not Jeanne-Le Ber, where they are hoping to plant Cauchon), and allow the Outremont riding association to have their preferred candidate. Mulcair has a strong hold there and no parachuted candidate would easily be able to unseat him. If Coderre thinks otherwise, the Libs are in trouble in Quebec, because it should be bloody obvious.
Mulcair has a strong hold there and no parachuted candidate would easily be able to unseat him.
Personally I think that any attempt by the Liberal leadership to dictate the candidate will only strengthen Mulcair's position. By now, everyone is watching and I suspect that Quebec voters, in particular, will be inclined to punish bad behaviour here.
All those folks yapping it up - were Rae supporters. You do the math.
Whoooooooosh!
Ignatieff today: Cauchon + Outremont is now on.
And now I suspect it's Mulcair who has a problem.