live blogging - Ignatieff speech

He's a smart man, he's a good man, he's a fine academic. His array of supporters in his video was impressive as well (shout-out to David McGuinty, MP) He is still a rookie politician, though, and his speech is falling flat through its staccato. Objectively compared to Rae before (who was fine, without podium or notes, by the way) and Kennedy before that, this speech is no better. I am hearing 'typical' Liberal stuff (from all three of them) ... the more above and beyond outside the box stuff, I thought, came in the Brison speech earlier.

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anglophones et francophones, 'tous ensemble?'
'tous ensemble' is a nice concept but this guy has recently put forward intellectual arguments that simply, and can only, ultimately, divide.

It seems funny to me that one group gets to be viewed as a 'nation' but we are still 'tous ensemble' and of course, I did read that John Ibbitson article about a new level of recognition for our first nations.

I have to say again, Bob Rae has already lived the debate about special status and constitutional powers... it was called Charlottetown, Rae was Premier of Canada's largest province, one that I have to say is the anchor of Confederation, and, a testament to Bob Rae's skills, Ontario voted _for_ Charlottetown. Meanwhile, where was Michael Ignatieff?

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I like the group chanting of "Canada!" though (What Liberal doesn't?)

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Pretty good speech finish, but I am not sure... I still just don't see it.

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First punditry: L. Ian McDonald (possible spelling error there by me): speech a bit flat with good applause line, not convincing, does not outdo Rae and Kennedy; second pundit: it seemed unconvincing. Nik Nanos: Ignatieff was too measured, almost professorial. (I agree)

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My verdict remains: he was too new to the Party, too new to modern Canadian politics, too untested, and, ultimately, too prone to dangerous gaffes on matters of substance.

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But of course, now the funny _really_ begins.

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A quick and friendly note to Cherniak. Bob Rae likely has a lot of tact, but has taken a different tack. Whether it was the best tactic is unknown.

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CPAC corners Brison with a rumour he'll go to Ignatieff. Brison denies. That move would certainly out-do this Volpe to Rae move, while uniting the two more right-leaning (my opinion) Liberals. I don't buy it just yet.

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One last thing for now: I sense growth for Ken Dryden as a 'second choice' type of guy.

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Time to stop blogging and channel surf over to some CBC/Newman off of CPAC. But good on CPAC for being available on my computer today. I enjoyed that.