Sunday, October 09, 2005

On choosing one's sources

The CP notes that no matter how unpopular Brian Mulroney remains personally, he's still been a frequent source of advice for Cons looking for career direction, including Peter MacKay in deciding whether or not to jump into provincial politics:
Mulroney may have left office 12 years ago with some of the lowest polling numbers in history, but the list of those who've walked the path to his mansion door since then marks his hold on the party.

MacKay, Belinda Stronach, Stephen Harper, Jean Charest (before he switched to the Quebec Liberals), Stockwell Day, and political operatives behind the scenes - all have made the pilgrimage for an audience with Canada's 18th prime minister...

"Anybody who has his mind on a career in politics, perhaps another run for the leadership, would want to keep on Mulroney's right side, perhaps (to) have him say a good word or encourage his allies to work for MacKay," Spector said in an interview...

Fortunately, nobody on that list has yet been rewarded with the PM role that Mulroney held for too long...and the newer additions seem to have ignored that pattern, in the apparent hope of receiving better advice than the previous person to seek Mulroney's counsel.

If the Cons were serious about wanting power, they'd instead be beating down Joe Clark's door, as they're not headed back into government until they can win back the Red Tory contingent that's abandoned the party under Harper. The fact that Mulroney is still the main source of advice (and doesn't seem to have another plan to get a separatist faction back in the fold) is a good sign for those of us who don't want to see the Cons in power anytime soon.

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