Stephane Dion -- The Candidate We Really Know

With Stephan Dion, on the other hand, his roots and resumé loom irresistibly large. He is a candidate we know, and his leadership priorities and values are at least somewhat predictable. His leadership rivals are realistically unknown quantities as party leaders and potential prime ministers. The leap from provincial to federal politics is a challenging one and both Rae and Kennedy are asking their supporters to make a huge leap of faith. Ignatieff has been out of the country for most of his career and is a political novice. His supporters should not make the mistake that his academic distinction automatically translates to effective political leadership. Dion, also with academic distinction, has a proven ability to function and lead in the federal political arena. Rae and Ignatieff are the big-money, big-organization candidates, rapidly accumulating Bay Street IOUs. Dion, on the other hand, has federal experience and credentials money cannot buy. Where Ignatieff claims to be a Liberal in the Trudeau tradition. Dion has proven his commitment to Trudeau federalism with the Clarity Act and his willingness to talk tough to separatists. Where Ignatieff goes “green,” Dion is already there with accomplishment on Kyoto. National unity is a central issue with Dion and he is undoubtedly the most suitable arbitrator of this issue. It becomes a key issue as the Harper Conservatives are clearly devoted to provincial supremacy. We cannot afford to let leaders serve their apprenticeship at public expense. They must be able to hit the ground running and Dion has this essential prerequisite. Given the present political landscape this, again, is a critical factor. Voters, Liberal or otherwise, cannot afford to pass over a candidate with proven credentials, with invaluable experience, and then decry that our political system is dysfunctional. In politics, as in the job world, experience and proven performance are essential. Dion is the only candidate we really know in this regard. All others might well serve a painful and wayward apprenticeship at the party’s and country’s expense. Liberals pride themselves on their pragmatism, and this is one reason they have dominated the federal political landscape. If this same pragmatism is to prevail Stephan Dion becomes the only choice. [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on August 21, 2006]