Part of the equation here, the statement these appointments make. The initial reaction seems to suggest that Ignatieff has attracted a talented team, which is a positive given our current circumstance. The ability to bring Donolo in, now several other "heavyweights", sends a message of optimism- people aren't running from the good ship Ignatieff. As Don Martin commented, it was surprising that a "loser" could put together such a team.
Staff changes don't resonate with the public, it's inside Ottawa stuff. However, if people denote a air of competence and skill, then the conduit may alter their perceptions. It would appear these appointments are "going over" well, so there is room to take advantage of this fresh reality. Clearly, we've hit rock bottom, in terms of polling and perceptions of the Liberals under Ignatieff. These changes allow for a new sense to develop, if crafted properly. A shakeup often has the secondary effect of breaking out of cemented narratives.
Donolo did well to draw from all the former "factions". There is a unifying generality to the appointments, which is a positive.
One quibble, the lack of a "western" presence. I would categorize this as a missed opportunity to send a message. This absence has been noted, I would have preferred more regional balance. Talk of francophone appointments, with their Quebec expertise, some sort of western "tsar" may have been advantageous.
All in all, an objectively impressive team.
11 comments:
Great post Steve V I totaly agree with you on this one. Use the expertise and experience of the smart people.
The lack of Western presence matters in the longer term. The immediate concern is the drop in Quebec and Ontario. They need to shore that up before any true expansion can begin out west.
Good post overall, though.
Don't disagree, it's not a near term goal. That said, this "immediate" return mentality needs to disappear. You need to start somewhere, and you need to start sooner rather than later. I see no harm in appointing some kind of western "tsar", to send a small message.
"Clearly, we've hit rock bottom, in terms of polling and perceptions of the Liberals under Ignatieff."
I don't think there's any reason to think the Liberal party has seen the worst of it. Just because your face is firmly planted on the ground doesn't mean the floor isn't going to cave in. Sounds more like wishful thinking from a partisan.
I actually hope the changes lead to a more mature Liberal party that puts all the non-scandal silliness to rest.
I suspect even some Liberals were hoping that the folically challenged ass-kicker got the boot too. That would have taken some real stones from Donolo.
The possibility that he go nuclear right in the middle of the war room might have been too much to risk.
"Sounds more like wishful thinking from a partisan."
Please. I think the rock bottom suggestion is completely fair. Ya, maybe Iggy will go down to 10% approval and Libs will hit the teens in Ontario. Reality doesn't equate to wishful thinking.
Already the Tories are on one french gentleman, saying he had something to do with the Sponsorship Scandal. I hope this is nipped in the bud, soon.
Overall ..great choices.
I agree that a leader's staff needs a mix of old and new. From my experience, too many youthful, edgy newcomers often leads to mistakes due to excessive ideology or immature stunts. On the other hand, a staff made up exclusively of old timers will be impeded by a technological deficit and a bubble mentality. It seems to me that Igntatieff has put together a reasonable mix in this regard. More important though, IMO, is that Iggy starts relying less on his staff and more on his own ideas. He owes it to himself...and us.
I'd be curious to know if there is any serious discussion Lib HQ on the recent Michael Byers suggestion that in any upcoming election the Liberals or NDP candidate who fared worst in the last election in each riding would pull its current candidate out, or refrain from nominating one. Byers believes that such an agreement would mean 30 to 40 additional seats to the Liberals and another five to 10 seats to the NDP. I personally love this idea to unite the left, but I'm sure I'm in the smallest of minorities on that score.
Not a bad idea at all, although I think you should expand it beyond just the last election. A bit of opportunism there, but the concept is a good one. Never, ever going to happen though :)
One thing I do find quite curious about the concept, the way dippers have embraced it. Given all this nonsense about the two principles parties being the same, why would you want to enter into an agreement with the other Harper party???? It's part of the inherent contradiction that is the NDP these days. You're evil, until we can get power or help our own cause, and yours by extension. Makes me laugh to no end, but I don't expect anybody to ever acknowledge the simple philosophical facts behind this idea.
Clearly, we've hit rock bottom, in terms of polling and perceptions of the Liberals under Ignatieff."
FRUGER; Just because your face is firmly planted on the ground doesn't mean the floor isn't going to cave in. Sounds more like wishful thinking from a partisan.
Same said for the Reform/cons.
I actually hope the changes lead to a more mature Liberal (CON) party that puts all the non-scandal silliness to rest. Good idea but again same for the Harper Cons. I hope that he, Stevie puts all the Attack ads to rest as well as the 10 percenters. Over 6.Billion dollars last year alone to the expense of Canadians tax monies.
Frunger, your PM has a lot more skeletons in his closet than Chretin and Trudeu combined ever had. Stop speaking with a forked tongue pal.
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