It had to happen sometime and the tensions in the Ontario liberal leadership race are starting to show. The only surprise is that it is Yasir Naqvi’s team that has decided to break the logjam. There have been some weak digs at front-runner Cinderella at some of the debates but Bonnie Crombie proved to be harder to annoy than expected.
But most would expect that Nate Erskine-Smith would be the one to get edgier. He is considered a bit of a maverick in Ottawa and is probably holding the number two spot in the Ontario race. Nate is also the one with the most to lose.
But Yasir Naqvi’s team are no longer the nice guys. It was a well-planned attack. Your first clue that something was changed was that the person ostensibly sending the e-mail was Linda Jeffrey, former member of the Ontario legislature, former provincial cabinet minister and former mayor of Brampton. I would respect what she has to say if she had not practically handed that twerp Patrick Brown the mayoralty of Brampton.
It reminds me of the time when Bob Nixon was challenged in a race for Ontario liberal leader. I thought I was safe and could stay out of one for a change. No, the phone rang and it was my buddy Bob, saying, “Peter, I need your help.” And, it was once more into the breech.
That was hardly like the events of this leadership event. Early in the game, I was thinking of offering Nate Erskine-Smith some help. What I soon found out was that his campaign is not well organized and so is he.
I have really liked Ted Hsu’s approach, and while it is a case of the wrong man at the wrong time, he is one to watch in the future. I think that next chance is the one he is lining up for. Some experience in cabinet is the seasoning he needs.
I took the wife to a meet and greet for Bonnie Crombie and the wife liked her. I was not as impressed with the set speech but Crombie handled it well. I don’t think I know anyone in her organization. They appear to be doing a good job.
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