Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Bad News For Red Team....but the wife's happy...

Frank's officially out of the race and that could be bad news for the Liberal Party. Everyone was holding back announcing their candidacy because there were some great rumours circulating that Frank was seriously considering taking a run for it and "others" chances might not be that good with Frank in the race. But my guess is that in the end it really boiled down to what his "bride" said. I can't blame her for putting her foot down. After the many years staying at home, raising a family, while he was in politics and then experience the good fortune of Frank's recent pursuits (not the least of jet setting around) and it would be pretty had to go back to the thankless job of politics. I can just imagine telling my "bride" that I was going to give up all the "stress and personal slanders" of my business and head back to a life of golf. Once she figured out it would mean less money and me around the house more, I'd probably be "told" exactly (like Frank) what my future would be. It's back to work boys with my marching orders, someone got to do it.....
McKenna rejects Liberal leadership bid
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — Rebuilding the federal Liberals and restoring the party to a majority government will take more time than he’s ready to give, Frank McKenna said Tuesday. The 60-year-old former New Brunswick premier formally ruled himself out of the leadership race to replace Stephen Dion. “The challenge of winning the leadership, restoring the health of the Liberal party and returning a Liberal majority government requires a longer time commitment than I am prepared to make,” McKenna said in a news release. “There will be an ample number of well-qualified candidates to do this important work.” McKenna has twice been touted in Liberal circles as the heir apparent to the party throne. But Canada’s former ambassador to the United States declined to run in the 2006 race that elected Dion as a dark horse choice from a wide field. Now, despite a widespread draft-McKenna movement, he’s declining again. “Although I have been deeply moved by expressions of support for me from across the country, I have not been persuaded to change my long-standing resolve to exit public life for good,” he said. The only declared candidate is New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc, the son of former governor general Romeo LeBlanc. Several others, including former deputy prime minister John Manley, have said they are putting out feelers before making a decision on running.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Family matters are often used, but seldom the reason for 'backing away.'

Brian Tobin used the same excuse when leaving NL, but this was after his children were grown and he had been 'playing the the field' for some time...

Saying Frank is bowing out because of his wife is like saying Bill Clinton retired to 'spend more time with Hillary!'

I suspect Frank saw limits with his team building as Iggy and Rae are well established and have backers in place.

Too bad for Atlantic Canada, McKenna is a capable man with ethics. Something sorily lacking in LIBERAL politics today...