To borrow the title of an old Laurel and Hardy short film, you have to admit that reporter Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star’s Ottawa Bureau has a sense of humour. She was told to do a quick capsule comment on each of the top ten contenders for the leadership of the conservative party.
If the list she prepared was the top ten, the conservatives are in far more trouble than we realized.
She started with the weasel, Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre. She also remarked on his compliments for the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa. He thinks the Ottawa visitors are “bright, cheerful and peaceful.” MacCharles seems to think that makes the party leadership Poilievre’s job for the asking.
Perennial conservative leadership candidate Peter MacKay was second, again. It is reported that he still owes money from his last leadership foray.
Former interim leader Rona Ambrose MP might have the pole position on the distaff side but it is unlikely that she would be in for a long race.
Leslyn Lewis MP is a loser before the race starts. She would probably be more comfortable in the People’s Party.
Michelle Rempel Garner MP is your classic middle of the road conservative and fifth in MacCharles’ list. In a field of ten, she would be lucky to come twelfth.
Where MacCharles got the idea that former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall was even interested in the federal field is a good question. As Wall does not speak French, that idea seems to be off the wall.
What broke me up was the suggestion that Brampton’s Brown, the mayor with the least appeal, was assessing the possibilities. I am just wondering where he might find a sitting MP in the conservative caucus who would vote for him.
Number eight was Brian Mulroney’s kid Caroline, currently warming up to try to hold her Ontario provincial seat. While Doug Ford might be eager to be rid of her, he would be loath to lose daddy’s fund-raising skills.
Number nine was premier Doug himself. As Ford is likely to be turfed in Ontario, he might be available in time. Maybe he is quickly learning French.
Last, but not least, and what has everybody laughing in the aisles is the suggestion Andrew Scheer is ready for his comeback. When a reporter asked ‘Chuckles’ Scheer if he was going to run, the reporter got a very emphatic ‘No.’ He added, that if a second opinion was needed, just ask his wife.
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Copyright 2022 © Peter Lowry
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