Two of the Liberal Party's leading stars appear to have made up their minds about running in the upcoming leadership race.
Toronto MP Michael Ignatieff is apparently poised to formally announce Thursday he'll be throwing his hat into the ring. Meanwhile, Gerard Kennedy, who ran in and lost the 2006 race, won't run again in the spring.
Kennedy will issue an official statement later today, CTV's Roger Smith reported Wednesday. Although he is well known within the party, Smith reported the Liberals may not want a "third choice" contender after selecting current leader Stephane Dion the last time. Dion came from behind to beat out frontrunners Ignatieff and Bob Rae in 2006.
"I think Mr. Kennedy would face questions about his judgment considering how Mr. Dion performed as leader," Smith said. Dion led the Liberals to one of the biggest defeats in party history, after losing nearly 20 seats following last month's federal election.
Smith also noted that Kennedy must still pay off about a $200,000 debt he owes from the 2006 leadership race. That debt, stricter fundraising rules, and a slowing economy will make it difficult for Kennedy and other dark horse candidates to make an effective run in the upcoming race, Smith said.
Kennedy had said a new leadership entrance fee -- $90,000, which is almost double the 2006 fee -- would help established candidates at the expense of lesser-known contenders.
"It will give an advantage to those who have a lot of heavy-duty financial supporters as opposed to people who run a more grassroots campaign," he told The Canadian Press earlier this week.
CTV's Craig Oliver told Newsnet he believes the race will likely come down to a battle between the two perceived front-runners.
"Basically, I think this will be a slugfest between Mr. Ignatieff and Bob Rae," he said.
Oliver said that Ignatieff is much more established in Canadian politics now than when he ran in 2006, when he had only recently returned to Canada after living abroad in the U.S. and Britain.
"He has earned his spurs and bona fides in terms of being a serious leader of the Liberal Party. Bob Rae has also enhanced his standing. It will be a tough fight," Oliver said.
Ottawa MP David McGuinty also said Wednesday that he considered throwing his hat in the ring, but decided instead to concentrate on his duties.
About 9,000 delegates are expected at the convention, which will be held in Vancouver in early May.
In addition to Ignatieff's expected leadership announcement tomorrow, Rae and New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc have said they also intend to run.
Other contenders may include:
- Former cabinet minister Martin Cauchon
- Montreal MP Denis Coderre
- Ottawa MP David McGuinty
- Brampton MP Ruby Dhalla
