Editorial cartoon by Anthony JenkinsAnthony Jenkins/The Globe and Mail
So we've got a race. The highly coveted interim leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada is now a contested position. Days after Bob Rae made it clear in a letter that he's "willing" to serve as interim leader so long as all his conditions are met, Marc Garneau tweeted this weekend that he's still going for the temporary top spot.
This is good news. There have been far too many acclamations in Liberal land over the last few years. Both Rae and Garneau are serious, qualified candidates
I have a crazy idea though: If we're going to have a contested election, let's make it an actual race that doesn't resemble a papal conclave (we don't have the budget for white smoke any more). Prior to Wednesday's caucus meeting, where caucus will make a recommendation to the national executive, what I would like to see is two things (and yes, the fact that these two things would make me happy likely matters to exactly nobody):
1. Each candidate should release a letter - 250 to 300 words should do it - explaining what they plan to do over the next 12 to 24 months as interim leader. We all agree the role is important as we start to rebuild so how do they intend to use the position to move the party forward? Spare us vague platitudes; I want some specifics. Engage the "grassroots"? How do you intend to do so? Toward what end? Give me some metrics. Focus on fundraising? New members? Again, we've heard it all before - how should we judge your interim leadership when your term is done?
2. Release a second letter, signed, with ten simple words: "Under no circumstances will I run for Liberal Party leader." Ten simple words. No nuance, no loopholes. The great thing about having two qualified candidates is if one refuses to release such a letter, the national executive can appoint the other candidate. I still have no idea how this can be negotiable in any way, shape or form.
Now of course if we really want to get crazy, the national executive could use this new fangled technology known as "email" that the kids like so much and "email" a new tactic that's all the rage called a "poll" to the Liberal Party membership to get their input on this - and hundreds of other issues facing the party.
Since I know that actually asking the membership their opinion is a bridge too far (we can all dream), the very least we can hope for is to publicly hear what the two fine candidates for interim leader plan to do if they are selected for the role and have absolute certainty neither of them will seek the permanent leadership.