A British magazine, the Economist, helped lead to the downfall of Paul Martin by labeling him Mr. Dithers. A column in respected British newspaper and online provider the Guardian says this of Michael Ignatieff:
"Because his political career has been about his own glorification, about his desire - for it seems to be the only reason he entered politics in the first place - to be prime minister. He may generously be called a chameleon, a shifty academic difficult to pin down, but perhaps more accurately he ought to be called an egotist who is sure of his own superiority and who seems to lack any real passion for the country he intends to lead."
I have nothing personal against Mr. Ignatieff, but I remain dumbfounded by the way Liberals try to blow up the credentials and abilities of their leaders.
Take a lesson from Obama. Sometimes organic growth can be a much more potent and sustaining thing than steroid-induced hype. The steroid route usually results in shrinkage followed by flame-out.