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A new day for Bob Rae: 'I am what I am'

MURRAY CAMPBELL

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:53 PM EDT 04/12/06

Pragmatic accommodation is former premier's M.O. ...Read the full article

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  1. Ian McCorriston from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada writes: Bob Rae will obviously do anything and take any position to gain power. Who is going to vote for this guy after his disastrous record in Ontario? Although I agree with Rae about the dangers that Stephen Harper presents to the country, if the Liberals elect him as leader they will only ensure a Harper majority in the next federal election.
  2. Dustin Sacks from Vancouver, Canada writes: I lived in Ontario when Bob Rae was the premier, and he was awful. Woefully woefully awful. His track record is there to show it all. I have yet to hear him offer up any decent explanation of his poor past government leadership. Maybe he would make a good opposition leader. I really hope the Liberals put forth a candidate that would make a good Prime Minister though. Bob Rae is not that man.
  3. Gerry Pankhurst from westport, Canada writes: The article mentions Rae having 'experienced one of the greatest political humiliations in Canadian History'. My guess is that he is about to suffer another one: Win or lose.
  4. Maurice Blyth from Burlington, Canada writes: I stongly urge all delegates to the Liberal Party convention to vote for Bob Rae it would achieve two things - 1. It would get him and his giant ego out of Ontario's hair. 2. It would ensure the demise of the Liberal party, long over due.
  5. NA E from Buckhorn, Canada writes: The main thing that I got out of this artlicle is that Bob Rae has EXPERIENCE, whether it was positive or negative, and that he has learned from that rather than from books. To those commentators who criticize I ask the following questions: are you the same person you were twenty years ago; is your judgement the same; do you do things the same way; or have you continued to grow, to learn from your experiences?
  6. Paul Byer from Ennismore, Canada writes: I am what I am ......and I am what I was. I think that pretty well sums it up. The only reason this man is running for leader is in the hopes to bring NDP votes with him. Fortunately for Canada, we do have long memories and his chances are about the same as Canada's prodigal son, Iggy. Good for Canada. Bad for the Liberals!
  7. Jack Harrison from Toronto, Canada writes: It often seems like there's little about Bob Rae that Canadians don't already know.................Actually there are a few things we're beginning to learn about Mr. Rae. For example does Mr. Rae believe that security needs to occur before basic needs can be met? I think he supports this notion only in theory but not in practice. This explains why Mr. Rae never says anything in support of our troops or the mission in Afghanistan but gets excited when talking about the need to end the poppy culture. This is why Mr. Rae reverts to the idea of peacekeppers even though there are very few area's in the world where pearsonian style peacekeepers has any application. In short I believe that Mr. Rae is still an NDP and that his foreign policy will reflect NDP virtues and withh move Canada off of the world stage and under an isolationist rock. Al Quida could love little more with the exception of a terrorist attack on the economic Achilllies heel of the west.
  8. Patrick Nash from Canada writes: Re: NA E from Buckhorn, Canada. George Bush has now more experience than he did when he started. Does that mean you'd be more inclined to vote for him now? Bob Rae's experience is irrelevant. It's his competency that is in question.
  9. JD Wood from Toronto, Canada writes: This offensive use of the proper name of God will no doubt cost Bob Rae votes but send him to Gehinom!!
  10. Jack Harrison from Toronto, Canada writes: Did Bob Rae write this article?
  11. Queen Street from Switzerland writes: To Comment # 1: I couldn't agree with you more. Now the question is, who in hell supported Mr. Rae to even put his name in the list. The Liberal Party has a lot to be changed. You can notice the contrast between Mr. Rae jumping the fence and in Sault Ste. Marie, Mr. Provenzano a young citizen without political experience at all; inheriting the rights of a dead uncle who lost his last chance to the NDP. Lately, no only the apples are falling from the trees, but also a lot of candidates. I believe the candidate with conditions to line up the Liberals at National Level is Mr. Kennedy being a member of the Liberal Party from the grass roots, but most likely he has not the green light yet. It will be hard for Liberals to hold a strong opposition in Parliament.
  12. 'Mad Dog Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: There is only one 'Popeye the Sailor Man' and his name isn't Bob Rae. I'll tell ya the Liberal leadership race is looking more and more like a 'Turkey Shoot'.
  13. Bernard Payeur from Ottawa, Canada writes: Bob Ray’s pragmatic accommodating MO. would have allowed the establishment of Sharia Tribunals in Ontario. With extremist traditions and views clamouring to be recognised in Canadian law what Canada needs is a principled Prime Minister not an accommodating one.
  14. Caitlin Townsend from Peterborough, ON, Canada writes: Liberals voting in the Delegate Selection Meeting this up-coming weekend need to remember one thing, and one thing only, when voting: WHICH CANDIDATE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE DOWN HARPER IN THE NEXT FEDERAL ELECTION? With this question in mind, any Liberal who votes for Bob Rae is guaranteeing the nation to a Conservative Majority. Although I believe it is possible that Rae could offer SOME positive traits and experiences to the Liberal party, there is no way that Ontario will ever forget his disastrous past as their premier. Because of this, the 106 seats that Ontario hold will not likely go to Rae (as Liberal leader), and will in turn shift over to the Conservatives, giving them a good shot at winning a majority. The same goes to Stephane Dion - Great guy, but not elect-able on a federal level because his English is too weak and the West will not elect him. Thus, Liberals must turn to Michael Ignatieff as our next party leader. Ignatieff has the potential to be Canada's next great PM, and this is exactly why the any Conservative you talk to will say they hope Rae wins the leadership. Although there is some concern that Ignatieff has been outside the country for too long to still be in touch with Canadian values, (and by the way, he was only in the US for less than 5 years, and the rest of the time away was spent in England - a country that has must closer values to us) let us remember that over that same time period, Bob Rae was the whole time a long time member of the NDP! Which do you think is better? A leader that has been a Liberal all his life but out of the country on academic and political posts, or one that has been in Canada but as a NDPer for that time??? The choice is clear - Vote Ignatieff!
  15. roger von kesselner from Canada writes: Do people not remember how bad things got living in 'The People's Republic of Ontario'. I feel this man is a danger to rational people - don't let the grey hair and experience fool you.
  16. mike sharp from Victoria, writes: And who is he? Popeye?
  17. You V.W. Eckz from Toronto, Canada writes: There's an old lesson story about insincere leadership, I don't know who first said it, but I think it fits Bob Rae. It goes something like this. If you're looking for a bunch of people to lead, find a mob lurching clumsily in some direction, the cause doesn't really matter, run to the front and as loud as you can, yell, 'Follow me.' The mob often does, at least until it's too late, and then somebody asks, 'Who is that guy, anyway?' Followed by the second question, 'Why have we been following him.' So, Liberals, ask the first question about Bob Rae before it's too late to ask the second: Who is that guy, anyway?
  18. Paul Gibson from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: His government faced some tough times and made difficult decisions with very little options. I wonder what his government would have achieved in the more affluent global economy of the Harris government. Would we have seed more progressive social and environment policies from a government that did not face a $10 billion deficit? Many in Ontario still blame him for the problems of the time but there is a considerable argument to be made that it was the NDP policies of the early 1990's that lead to the economic recovery that the Harris government enjoyed. My criticism of the man is that he could not communicate that message to the people of Ontario and lost touch with public sentiment. If he makes the same mistake as the leader of Canada there will be no third chance to come back. Just ask Brian Mulroney.
  19. george moe from Algeria writes: Bobs policies sent me to the food bank in Ontario with his Rae daze, and this man now has the audacity to be prime minister?
  20. Peter Neirinckx from Kingston, Canada writes: I too was a resident of Ontario when Bob Rae was the Premier and it seems to me that was handed a dismal fiscal situation from the predecessor Conservative government. During Bob Rae's short term in office the province's GDP grew at a better than a respectable pace without putting social programs at risk. And then came the hard-nosed regressive Harris government who left a social and fiscal mess for its Liberal successors. I had some business dealings with some of the Bay Street crowd during the time of the Rae government and their uncooperative disdain for that government from the start was nothing less embarassingly elitist. Remember the joke about the family that was looking for a new maid because the old maid had been given a cabinet position?
  21. C Smith from London, Canada writes: Why does Bob Rae want to be the Liberal leader? I cannot think of one good reason, other than his ego. He wants to redeem himself in Ontario, which in my opinion is an impossible goal. Poll results never substitute for hearing what people are saying in the local Tim Horton's - they have still not forgiven Bob Rae, and are not likely to. I am a Liberal supporter, but I will be very disappointed if Mr. Rae wins the leadership.
  22. Jim Kirk from New York, United States writes: What, no comparison of Bob Rae to Indiana Jones? I guess in the Globe's eyes, he's just no Ignatieff.
  23. Don Adams from Perth, Ont, Canada writes: Yup, he's just what the Liberals need. I just can't stop laughing!
  24. d s from Toronto, Canada writes: Nice article, but while interviewing him, did you ever think to ask him about his policies, about what he's planning for Canada should he win? It would seem a relevant question.
  25. Mud Hut from Ajax, Canada writes: Our taxes in Ontario are still paying off the debt racked up by Bob Rae's NDP government who decided to 'spend their way out of the recession'. Nothing in what I have read about Bob Rae convinces me that he's changed his views. If Rae becomes Prime Minister, get ready for a whopping tax bill for the next 20 years- this guy loves to spend other people's money on his own ideas. Supreme arrogance. Not surprised he finds a home with the Liberals.
  26. Alec Owen from Canada writes: The comments so far show that the opposition to Rae comes mostly from Conservatives. They are prescient. Conservatives fear that the two parties to the left on the political spectrum may join forces. If Rae becomes leader, it may be not a marriage but it will be for a time a cohabitation. The Conservatives of course will believe that the two similar political philosophies will be, to extend the metaphor,'living in sin'. Harrumph! As a liberal who often, but not always, chooses an NDP candidate on the hustings, I might easily, depending on circumstances, choose the Liberal Party if Rae becomes leader. I live in Ontario and was disappointed when Rae abandoned the policy about automobile insurance. On the other hand had I been a public servant I would have preferred a few Rae days as the alternative to a drastic pruning of of public service. On balance I think Premier Rae did no worse than some during difficult economic times and better than most, including Mr Peterson and his smug do-nothing Finance Minister. Mr Peterson would disagree but it wasn't Mr Rae who caused the downfall of his government but people like Patti Starr who busily filled the Liberal coffers with money from developers and charitable sources and served 6 months in jail for her efforts.Such were not the kind of scandals that Mr Murray Campbell mentions in this story. The latter were the posing fully clothed for the Toronto Sun of Mr Peter Kormos and the sexless, sexual scandal of another minister. As premier Rae was very tough on his ministers. Too tough in my opinion. However Mr Rae is a very bright man with a wide range of experience in public service. I would not be embarrassed to listen to him speak on the national or international stage as I would if we were represented by a leader of the friendly nation to the south whose name I forget but whose persona instantly comes to mind.
  27. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: M. Rae and Mr Ignatiff are political giants as the article states in their similarities to Jimmy Carter . Canada should be proud of these world travellers and reward them with Senate seats , a seat at the Fraser Institute or appoint them to some Royal Commissions . Two of Mr. Rae's best pieces of his 1990 to1995 government (barely 11 years ago ) was missed by you : #1) Rae's conviction that Ontario had too many Doctors so he cut medical school enrollment drastically which we are now feeling the effects. - #2)Pension reform including the too big to fail clause which gave large corperations a holiday from paying into their pension plans there by costing thousands of Ontario workers 20 - 50% of our pensions . I'm sure the $400,000 he raised wasn't from Ontario workers . Bon Chance Mr. Rae .
  28. gary wilson from Calgary, writes: The man the Conservatives are praying gets elected Liberal leader.
  29. Cathie Sindall from Hamilton, Canada writes: I found it hard to believe that Bob Rae could win the Liberal leadership, but according to G&M poll last week, he sure looks like the one to beat. His leadership would likely bleed NDP support to the Liberals, but I would think a greater number of scared Liberals from the centre would in turn migrate to the Conservatives. The selection of Bob Rae would seem to be desperation on the part of a party that would want to consolidate it's base of 40 to 50 seats in the 3 major urban areas, at the cost of further declines in its competitiveness elsewhere. Whomever is selected from this 2nd tier group (because the first tier: McKenna, Tobin, Manley sat this one out) will have a difficult time. Is Canada witnessing an historic change away from our 'natural governing' party? I believe and hope probably yes. Jim Whittier
  30. b mac from Canada writes: How this guy can be taken seriously, after his fiscal mess in Ontario, is beyond belief. It will take the Consevative party at least 5 years, maybe even longer, to clean up the Martin/Chretien patronage mess in Ottawa and return the country back to the people. The Liberal party is dead. RIP.
  31. Carla Przes from Toronto, Canada writes: For some reason, everyone here seems to have forgotten that Bob Rae unwittingly landed into a hornet's nest due to Liberal fiscal debauchery. During the weeks that folleowed his election, he discovered a staggering deficit. Remember?
  32. Matt Campbell from Charlottetown, PE, Canada writes: After having read the entire article, I still have one pressing question: who really is Bob Rae? I don't think the article examines this question at the same level as the first liberal leadership portrait. I like what Valpy did - by doing a seriously intense look at a very complex and interesting person. Instead, this piece is a puff job in comparison the Ignatieff's portrait. At one point in the profile, Campbell suggested that Rae is a very complex man. Through this article, he didn't convey that - and I feel the final product was a restricted beast. I'm certain that the article has been by the Globe ed board and I am curious what arguments were raised regarding the varying intensities of Valpy's and Campbell's story. Criticism aside, thank you for the leadership profiles.
  33. MALCOLM STODDART from Canada writes: Too bad some of the politicians who like to say thay have a public duty to serve and need to make a contribution would just realize the best contribution they could make would be to just go away; or at least just get out of the way. There are another 30 something million people here who can and also do contribute.
  34. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: Mr. Rae , the liberal party has done a complete in depth study of itself for renewal and to get back to its roots . What have you done to assist this effort and is there anything you would disagree with ?
  35. B Benton from Thornhill, Canada writes: I yam what I yam 'cause that's what I yam - I'm Popeye the sailor man. Toot Toot. Hope he wins!!
  36. Miles Lunn from Vancouver, Canada writes: I as a Liberal supporter hope they don't choose Bob Rae for a couple of reasons. I think he would be a very strong opposition leader, but I am not interested in choosing the next opposition leader, I want someone who can win the next election and be a good prime-minister. After seeing his record as premier in Ontario, I am very skeptical about how good he would be as a PM. I think he would be a good cabinet minister since one can be a good cabinet minister but still be a lousy PM. Also few have talked about his record as premier in Ontario and my concern is once the attack ads are rolled out by the Conservatives, this will cost the Liberals the 905 belt and if they lose that there is no where else in the country they can realistically make up that ground.
  37. Canadian From Calgary from Canada writes: Bob Rae has a much greater chance to rejuvenate the Liberals than his egomaniacal friend. His experience, good or bad, will set him apart. All politicians have to have a certain degree of hubris to subject themselves to the hardships of political life - I really don't care about his motivations, its just a matter of who will do the best job. Rae seems like a better man than Ignatieff overall, and he probably has a smaller ego. He will charm the Canadian public enough to get Harper and his oily buddies out of office, which ultimately is the most urgent and pressing issue to prevent our assimilation with the Americans and recapture our position in the world.
  38. Have Pun Will Travel from Canada writes: 'I am's what I am's, and dat's all's what I am's' -- I've seen this guy at work and he's no Popeye. Besides, he doesn't have the big goofy arms (although, I guess, Mike Harris could have been his Bluto).
  39. Diane Major from Canada writes: Recently I joined the Liberal Party, because I feared a Harper majority. I then tried to learn as much as I could about each candidate so I could make an educated choice when I vote for a delegate next weekend. I later submitted a question after an on-line request from the Party, dealing with foreign policy which was chosen for the first of the leadership debates. Bob Rae and Ken Dryden responded with what I considered the most thoughtful answers, expressing a liberal point of view from a distinctly Canadian perspective....as did the most others; with exception of Michael Ignatieff and Scott Brison. They sounded like Conservatives. I listened to other debates and went to local meetings to meet the candidates. Bob Rae impressed me the most. I lived in Ontario when he was Premier before we retired in N.S. and remember that there were gaffs, along with good decisions. I also recollect that he was sincere in his efforts and that Ontario's economy was rebounding strongly by the end of his term in office after that severe recession that hit North America. This Rhodes scholar has shown maturity in chairing many recent investigations as well as being a competent mediator and has continued to serve Canadians in public life. To those who discount experience, the founder of McDonalds failed miserably in his first business attempts. Thing is, he learned from each experience. I believe Rae has too.
  40. Vickky Angstrom from Calgary, Canada writes: Holy boring guy with no real convictions, batman!
  41. Jack Robinson from London, Canada writes: 'I am what I am' sez Bob, evoking echoes of another garrulous philosopher I admit a far greater fondness for. Given recent headlines, might I suggest the Rogue-scholarly Mr. Rae tuck into a hearty bowl of Spinach Salad to sate his unappeased appetite?
  42. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: 'I am what I am what I am', hmmm, I seem to remember that line being used by a comic strip character, Oh yeh it was 'Popeye the Sailor Man' need I say more.
  43. Cynthia Nurse from Canada writes: I would like to see in my day the ability to vote for the Prime Minister and the person from my riding. Two votes one for the leader and one for local representation. I truely believe it would be better for the people. As for Bob Rae I believe he is a truely a leader.
  44. Some Guy from Canada writes: He has more experience than Harper. He's failed more than Harper, therefore - hopefully- he's had the most to learn. Bob Rae for PM!
  45. Michael Crowell from Halifax, Canada writes: I hope he wins, or for that matter any of the lot. The Liberals really believe once they have a Leader it will be no time at all and they will be back at the pigs trough. Little do they realize the amount of pent up anger has been building over the last few years. They demonized Harper and milked that one to death. Boy were they wrong. Guess what Liberals you are going to have to use the truth, good policy and be focused with a clear vision for Canada from here on in. Let me assure everyone that is not going to happen anytime soon. I have waited a long time for this day and I finally think the people of Canada are on to this lot of liars. Every election since 1970's they have lied their way into office. Bitter am I, you bet. Miles # 36 What does that tell you when the Liberal are holed up in the 905 Belt.
  46. Pragmatic Pundit from Canada writes: How dare he use pragmatic to describe his MO. Please libbys, vote for this loser.
  47. Don Adams from Perth, Ont, Canada writes: Doesn't really matter who gets in.... they'll only be there as caretakers of the Liberal Party during 2 or 3 majority Conservative governments. People have LONG memories.
  48. Matthew Peterson from Toronto, Canada writes: I agree with NA E (#5). I'm 35 years old, so I'm definitely not the same man I was 20 years ago--I wasn't even a man! But more to the point, I like the way you think, NAE (RAE?--A curious parallel); when Bob Rae has finally grown up, and weaned himself from the political teat to give serious thought to leading a country, he'll be a conservative. By then he'll be 75 years old, and a little soggy. In the mean time, let's leave the country to those who climbed the learning curve at an early stage, and don't need 40 years to grow up.
  49. Mr Fijne from Calgary, Canada writes: His experience is $10 billion debt which Ontarians are repaying as we write. Mr Rae then took off to a successful lawyer's career far, far from the Medicare of fixed income doctors and nurses and the waiting lines... Believe me if the legal system was subjected to a Legalcare style, we'd have less candidates to the bench... Now this respected failure wants to be the next PM of a socialist republic? Wrong era, wrong continent. As for the Liberal race, we already know who dunnit and Mr Rae will in a well rehearsed act throw his support to the chosen one when he'll be asked to in my opinion. The 'Jimmy Carter of Canada', is it all what Canada deserves?
  50. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: Mr. Rae and Mr. Ignatiff are hired guns for two old minor factions of the liberal party which happen to be very powerful economically . Why these old factions couldn't at least buy some vibrant people to compete with the much younger conservative slate is a mystery . Maybe our choice was meant to be the generation gap ?
  51. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: For hundreds of years under the English feudal system The Divine Right Of Kings has allowed the rich powerful ruling class to choose their successors . Why shouldn't the Chretien or Martin backers ( backroom boys ) not be allowed the same privilege ?
  52. kaseem ebag from Mississauga, Canada writes: Over the years Bob Rae has been commisioned to right numerous reports. So one would have to assume he's gain even more insight.
  53. Stan Linkovich from Peterborough, writes: Many of the comments here are irrelevant because they come from people who would not vote Liberal under any circumstances. Still paying off the deficit created by Rae after two terms of the Harris government? Give me a break! One suspects that many of the contributions reveal a certain fear among die-hard Conservatives that Rae will indeed become leader of the Liberal party.
  54. Gord Cee from Canada writes: Bobby you need to finish your quotes it's ' I am what I am, an idiot'
  55. Darryl Youzefowich from Mersin, Turkey, writes: I think that Bob Rae is an Alpha Male and the reason he is running is because he thinks no one else is better than he is to defeat Harper and be at the helm of the ship to implement Liberal values. That's all. That implies a kind of arrogance that is common of politicians and would surprise no one (another mundane politician), but from Campbell's article and his campaign pronouncements it can be surmised that he would be a Chretien style, steady as she goes captain. I am guessing he would be a mediocre prime minister, because he has nothing new to bring to the table and has shown to lack an ability to judge how the Ontario public will react to any issue, and since this latter one is a key requirement of any prime minister (ask Mr. Martin) the Liberals should pick someone else. Bob is a clever and nice guy though.
  56. John F. from Edmonton, Canada writes: Bob Rae may be sincere and effective as a communicator but, in the end, he is simply an ego-maniac who loves to hear his own ideas fly out of his mouth. I don't see him lead the Liberals to a victory nor manage, effectively, a government because he has no record of success in those matters. For some time now, I have wished to see someone lead this country who is 'the genuine article'. I am truly saddened that we don't have the likes of Frank McKenna in this race. I think he would make a great PM. He was a successful politician in a number of venues and appeared humble in many of his public appearances. But, he's too smart to throw himself into the mess that Rae is in. That indicates to me all that the Liberals are not ready for the brass ring anytime soon.
  57. Pragmatic Pundit from Canada writes: #53 - give your libby buddies some credit. They're not as dumb as you would have us believe you are.
  58. Randy Hyland from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Mr Fijne from Calgary: Tell me something, do you not have the same long line ups in the Hallways in Alberta Hospitals as the rest of the country? Do you not have way to long wait times for MRI'S etc, just like the rest of the country. Hmmm, lot of good those monthly medical premiums do you eh! Sorry to get off the topic there G&M. :-)
  59. harry carnie from Telkwa, British Columbia, Canada writes: 'I am what I am'...............would that be a rich, out of touch with reality, former provincial leader? RETIRE ... Join Glen Clark(former premier and sinker of the N.D.P. in B.C.) The Liberal boat needs a leader that WILL..bail the water OUT !! NOT IN!!!....and maybe take Jack Layton with you...he has put more than one hole in the federal N.D.P. dinghy.
  60. el gordo from Canada, Canada writes: Bob, you're a virtual zero compared to Harper. He'll eat you for lunch. .....and it won't be at Stornoway.
  61. Dennis Petruk from Sherwood Park, Canada writes: Was the article written by Campbell, or did he just copy one of Rae's autobiographies? What a load of fluff. The fix really is in for the Power Corp/Chretien boys to get their power back. I see the G&M will do anything in it's power to get the Liberals back in. Oh, and by the way, what are Rae's policies and vision?? Oh, I forgot, Liberals only have spontaneous rants to suit what's happening on a particular day, then change it if need be. Chretien got three terms doing exactly that. Isn't that who's running his campain? Eddy G. and the boys?? Thought so.
  62. Randy Hyland from Canada writes: Don Adams from Perth, Ont, Canada writes: Doesn't really matter who gets in.... they'll only be there as caretakers of the Liberal Party during 2 or 3 majority Conservative governments. 'People have LONG memories'. ] Yes we do Don. I have very bad memories of the Mulrooney Majority years. That's why 'Steve' will never get a majority. His arrogance and conceit remind me so much of the Mulrooney Conservatives.
  63. uninformed but interested from pragmatic, Canada writes: From the look of the comments Bob Rae seems to be the perfect leader of the Liberal party. Those on the left hate him for taking a pragmatic approach to tough times instead of blindly following a left wing idealogue. Those on the right hate him because he's not Stephen Harper (that's all that needs to be said about that). If I were a delegate attending that convention, he would definitley be my guy. No other leadership candidate has evoked this much visceral contenpt from the other two parties. And for those within the Liberal party that don't like the fact that he called you 'smug' - get over it you were. That's why we saw all the scandal that we did - you felt like you had a god given right to govern. That is the biggest reason that the LIBERALS need to elect Bob Rae as their leader. He doesn't have this ingrained attitude that there is a right to govern. He has learned that the hard way. This is an opportunity to rebuild your party liberals. I suggest that you take it.
  64. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: I hope Bob Rae wins the leadership race. It will allow for a Conservative breakthrough in Ontario during the next election. This will also relieve pressure on the Conservatives who are striving to make large inroads in Quebec.
  65. John A. Macdonald from Toronto, Canada writes: Eight pages about Bob Rae??? I don't care about the fuzzy details, I only care about the decisions he made. I think I prefer Harper who is more concerned about the effect of his actions rather than 'sending a message'.
  66. John Akermanis from Toronto, Canada writes: I can't believe the stupidity of the Liberal Party to think, should Bob Rae become leader, they will get elected and toss out the conservatives. Think again, we are still bailing our selves out of the mess Bob Rae left in Ontario, only for him to return to his cozy legal career. Look forward to a Conservative majority in the next election ... we have long memories Bob, it's bad enough you nearly destroyed Ontario with your ego. Just think, Bob Rae as Prime Minister ... Canada will become a 3rd world country.
  67. Anil Goel from Toronto, Canada writes: If, in the next election, Harper makes a breakthru in the GTA, it will be largely because of Bob Rae. Even if you assume that he is the best of the bunch, he will be the albatross around the Liberal neck. I would think the LIberal party would be better off by giving him a lower (less visible) position as some kind of portfolio critic. As leader, he would be in Stornoway for a really long time.
  68. Frank Dixon from Kingston, Canada writes: Mr. Bob Rae sounds like a man who doesn't really know what he stands for when it comes to policy; the otherwise fine biographical effort by Mr. Murray Campbell notably fails to delve into this important realm of discourse, but seems more a 'stream of consciousness' which leaves the reader nearly as confused as Mr. Rae seems to be. Bob Rae was one of the worst premiers in Ontario history, by virtually any measure, never being that convincing as an NDP leader, but more as an opportunist who stumbled into the job of leading Canada's most important province, and then stumbled his way through five years in office. Ontario, some 11 years after he was turfed as premier, is still digging out. After a re-election disaster, he left politics and achieved some significant success in the private sector, and in assisting commissions such as the Air India Inquiry. Mr. Rae should stick with that, perhaps be appointed to the Supreme Court, take an important job at the United Nations, or lead a top Canadian university such as Queen's or McGill, but not to become Liberal leader or (shudder!) perhaps Prime Minister. Canada will be on its way to becoming a Third World country should Bob Rae become PM, based on his NDP rule of Ontario. And in writing this I am not even necessarily a Conservative supporter, having voted Green last time! Oh, if only Gerrard Kennedy had better French and greater experience!
  69. Michael Robert from Toronto, Canada writes: I cannot understand how the Liberals are entertaining the thought of making this man their leader...His name is poison in Ontario and to top it all off he is whom the Neo cons want to win..Hardley a shinning endorsement. I would like to see Ignatieff win as he can at least syphon away the centre-right votes. Also he is unencummbered by past scandle and corruption...All I am saying is that if the Libs want any chance to win they will need to seriously reflect on this. Anyone but Rae. If Rae Wins I shudder to think what will happen to Canada as it would most likely ensure a neo con minority.
  70. Peter Simms from Canada writes: Bottom Line: Rae governed Ontario by the seat of his pants rather than a clear vision or plan. Current status? Look at his website and compare it to Ignatieff's. Rae's deep seated concerns and plans for fixing the massive environmental problems can apparently be sufficiently addressed in six lines. I had my initial misgivings about Ignatieff but let's stop the nonsense about whether or not Bob Rae thinks he's grown since the Ontario debacle or what his wife thinks of his return to politics. Let's look at the policies and the plans. That's what turned my head about Ignatieff. This guy has the best ideas I've ever seen. After him the question will be, Trudeau Who?!? Stop the gossip and read the facts.
  71. barnett eades from ST ALBERT, Canada writes: Aganst all those who decry Mr Rae's political failures,change of party and sneer at his public service aspirations I would remind them that past failure is a frequent characteristic of wise leaders. Mr Rae will fare well in his debates with Mr Harper and appear more human as well. He will offer a decent alternative to Mr Harper.
  72. Chris Lalonde from City State, Singapore writes: Bob Rae was a lousy premier of Ontario. He left the province in a mess after getting voted out in his first term. How can anyone seriously even remotely consider this guy for leading the country??
  73. Steve S Johnson from Sarnia, Canada writes: The evolution of Bob Rae as a potential Prime Minister and world statesman is encouraging at this moment when Canadian leadership seems to mean 'what does George W. need from us now?' With leadership like George W. Harper (or is that Steve Bush?) , and Ignatieff seeming to offer more of the same American sensibility, we may find ourselves wondering why we went to Afganistan without a full public and parliamentary debate on the value of such a mission. Harper and Ignatieff were part of the rush it through Parliament before the public gets wind of the issues at stake. Rae called for full debate before further commitments. I think we`ll get much more honest discussion of consequences of government policy from the Bob Rae or ken Dryden. Hence the Liberal party becomes very interesting.
  74. Ken Rush from Canada writes: In my wildest dreams it never occurred to me that Bob Rae would be the leader of the Federal Liberal party. He is a decent man in many ways and his party was totally unprepared to govern Ontario when they surprisingly won the election. My biggest concern is this. Is he a leader? I'm not at all convinced he is because the Liberals needs someone to unify them. The party still has terrible warring factions and they need someone to take them above this. Being a Liberal is less and less clear to me.
  75. Rick McNaulty from Calgary, Canada writes: Hello Stan #53 - Thank you friend I'm still laughing at your comments. Please get help if you believe the Conservatives fear Bob Rae. LOL. A past NDP premier from Ontario, backed by Cretien loyalists with the likes of Hedy Fry waiting for cabinet posts. I'm sure Canada will love to see how Ontario votes with Bob Rae as leader of the Liberal Party. Next I'm sure Bob Rae will just impress the hell out of western Canada, such credentials to run Canada. LOL.
  76. Colonel Klink from Calgary, Canada writes: I hope that buffoon wins, it will drive a nail further into the liberal coffin. They will lose Ontario and Quebec if he wins. All you whiners in Ontario can thank him for the the mess you are in today (along with your poor work ethic).
  77. larry muzzin from Canada writes: I hope the people of Canada have not forgoten Bob Raes' performance in Ontario.How was he ever accepted as a liberal,he was and still is NDP. A good critic but not a leader.
  78. JJ Smith from Canada writes: Go Rae go! That should keep the tories in office as long as possible.
  79. John Timmermans from Canada writes: A new day for Bob Rae:I am what I am. That's what I thought, he was NDP-er and now running as a Liberal for the top job. If that is what he is I have a problem with this guy, but on the other hand maybe he should win than we will anticipate a Conservative majority government comes next election.
  80. david xxxx from Kuwait writes: I too lived in Ontario while Mr. Rae was premier. Although I do not remember specifics about his premiership I really do recall the changes he made to the social structure of Ontario. He made it a better place to live. When the next government took over the majority of the People's Benefit bills became a quick memory.
  81. Susan Day from Thunder Bay..l., Canada writes: PEOPLE OF ONTARIO let us not forget Rae Days. Bob Rae single handedly almost bankrupted our Province. I am still trying to settle with my insurance company for a Motor Vehicle Accident I had 13 years ago. I pledge never to vote or promote Bob Rae. I now live in Alberta and when ever Bob Rae’s name comes up I make my views known. Bob Rae raped Ontario and after his conquest moved on to satisfy his own needs and left many to suffer the consequences of his actions.
  82. Whitney Houston from Ontario, Canada writes: I disagree with #80. Bob Rae made Ontario a great place to live.... if you're on social assistance. The rest of us tax-payers were footing the bill for services for the 'poor' -- services we were inelligible for... services we could not afford for our own families. If Bob '13-Billion-dollar-debt-we're-still-paying-for-today' Rae is elected leader, it will guarentee that Ontario will go Conservative Blue in the next election (#78). I still don't understand how he got to be a front-runner in this race. It disgusts me that a Poster Boy for bad govm't could actually get PROMOTED to Opposition Leader.
  83. Edmond Marc du Rogoff from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada writes: Bob 'Norma' (as Frank Magazine used to call him) Rae's government was so dismal that if became the objective culprit in bringing the (un)common sense revolution of Mike Harris, who put hundred of beggars on our streets. Previous commenters noted that one learns in 20 years. True. I learned not to trust incompetent hot air puffers that managed to bring the richest province of one of the world richest countries to its knees. The nerve of the chap!
  84. Kenneth Hollander from Tel Aviv, Israel writes: As a Canadian living abroad I believe I have a unique perspective on the Liberal leadership race. First of all, I would like to comment that Canadians are very fortunate to have such high quality political leaders from which to choose. That having been said, I must take issue with quite a number of the comments I've read in response to this article on Bob Rae, dismissing him out of hand without considering the broad depth of experience and wisdom this man surely must possess. To be honest I haven't read up on all of the other candidates in this race, however, as a Canadian living abroad, I have to admit that it seems somewhat far-fetched that Michael Ignatieff can return from so many years (decades) living outside of Canada and expect to lead the nation. As someone who has spent 10 years outside of Canada myself, I must admit it is easy to 'lose track' of what is going on in 'The Great White North'; even with the accessiblity to internet! So my opinion would be for the Liberal voters to take into account the credentials of all of the candidates yet bear in mind which candidates are most experienced, sincere, up-to-date and dedicated to keeping Canada the beacon of not only natural beauty but also relative political and moral sanity in this volatile world. It seems to me Bob Rae is capable and up to the demands of such an important job as the Prime Minister of Canada.
  85. N Kevin from Ottawa, Canada writes: I've read Bob Rae's autobiography and because of some of the frank admissions he made in the book about himself I have a great amount of respect for his intellect, compassion and ultimately his humanity. As for his record in Ontario, I think he had the unfortunate experience of being new to government as well as governing during a general recession. Sure he may have made some mistakes, but frankly, the economy was in the tank and I don't think it would've mattered who was in power in the early 90's, the economy still would have been rocky. Incidently, no I'm not on the Bob Rae campaign team, I just like the man....Prime Minister or not.
  86. Darcy McGee from Vancouver, United States writes: Message from Bob Rae: I am what I am. I'm Popeye the Sailor Man.
  87. Hamdoodle @ London from London, Canada writes: Let's hope Rae loses. The mere fact Rae and Ignatieff are bad news for Canada - what a joke - a couple of 50 year old dilitantes trying out their new little red sports car except it happens to be a nation! Its hilarious these 2 guys are promoted as ' left liberal thinkers'. The fact Rae and Ignatieff can be promoted by Liberals as legitimate contenders to lead the nation simply shows what lack of vision exists in this country. Frankly neither are much different then Martin, Day then Harper. A selfish, narrow-minded, stale lot all around. Let us hope the Liberals will select a candidate with fearless vision to truly govern the nation in the public interest.
  88. Gwen Harris from Toronto, Canada writes: I am astonished at the vitriolic comments made by some in response to this article about Bob Rae. I had no idea that Bob Rae was so hated. I lived in Ontario during those years too and was always impressed by how the Rae government handled the social problems. Rae Days seemed to me a better solution than laying people off - as later happened under Mike Harris. Perhaps the later layoffs were unavoidable, but the cuts that the Harris government made led to the Walkerton scandal, and worsening conditions for the very poor. Rae has shown his abilities and concerns in the many studies he has been involved in since - Iraq, Air India, TSO, and others. He may have an ego but what politician doesn't, least of all one running for party leadership? He does have a heart, and that isn't always obvious in party leaders. Good luck Bob, but you will have to work miracles to overcome the visceral hate that some harbor.
  89. S C from Vancouver, Canada writes: Bob Rae is the best politician in the running for the Liberal leadership. I lived through Rae-Days in Kingston, Ontario. All the chatter about how bad they were and is all spin. The really scary time came after with the Conservatives and Mike Harris. Bob Rae has proven he is a competent administrator and is trusted by not only business but by his adversaries across the spectrum in politics. The recession in Ontario was not his fault. He was just stuck dealing with it and listened to the wrong advisors. He isn't and won't be the last politician to make a mistake.
  90. C Kimber from Toronto, Canada writes: The comments page after a Rae-related article is published is always so predictable and pathetic. A bunch of thinly disguised ideologues crawl up out of their gutter and proceed to blame Mr. Rae for everything negative that happened in Ontario since he rose to power. The connections are often tenuous at best, as the reply above about MVAs shows. To listen to some sycophants here, Rae created the recession, obliterated all of Ontario's social safety net and probably co-plotted the rise of terror with Bin-Laden. Yawn. People still whine about Rae Days? God knows what they'd be saying if he'd laid people off to save that money instead. Surely that would have been agreeable to everyone? No? Well, what then? Print up more money? The fact that Rae is apparently culpable for the innumerable follies of the PC government of Mike Harris, according to the tone of many replies here, surely delineates the credence which should be lent to them. Comment 26 makes my point much more eloquently than I care to, I confess, but the point still stands. Bob Rae will forever be overcriticized for doing a passable job under tough circumstances with little preparation. He is a man with a wealth of public and private sector experience who understands how a broad swath of the 'system' functions. He's been called upon by various parties at various levels of government to write impartial reports and recommendations. He is also much smarter than you. Smart men learn from their mistakes, and rare is a leader who has had that opportunity the way Rae has. If you think he would govern Canada in the late 2000s the same way he governed Ontario you're delusional. Get over yourselves.
  91. Mel Garejo from Pickering, Canada writes: 'I am what I am'... Yeah, that's great Bob, but what are you? Do you still stand for social welfare for all, pro-visible minirities, pro-gay? I hope you bring with you all the wealth of knowledge you acquire during your premier days in Ontario. As a now-Tory former Liberal, I hope you are still the same old Bob, with all your leftie ideas. That will make Stevie's victory much easier. Thank you and keep up the good (?!) work Bob!
  92. anu bose from ottawa, Canada writes: This man is a political chameleon his Rhodes scholarship notwithstanding. What yuo see is not what you get in this case!
  93. E. K from Canada writes: No problem. Let the Liberals vote him in to lead their party, that will guarantee I won't vote for them. Wonder how many Ontario residents remember the 'Rae days'?
  94. S C from vancouver, Canada writes: Let's be honest and change this section from 'comments' to 'bitch fest'
  95. Carolyn Perkes from Canada writes: In response to comment 92. . . er, what politician is not a political chameleon?
    • Posted 29/09/06 at 10:10 PM EDT |