Well it's official. The extremely talented and likeable Peter Donolo is becoming Michael Ignatieff's chief of staff. Good luck Peter, but not too much.
Your first task is going to be one you are well familiar with - expectation management. A Liberal Party desperately seeking hope has hailed your arrival as the second coming of the Messiah. They have been aided and abetted in this process by many in the national media who properly have a great respect for you. After you part the Ottawa river and teleport yourself into the 4th-floor Centre Block suite occupied by the Leader of the Opposition you are going to need bring everyone back to earth.
In the afterglow of the of clumsy Douglas MacArthur, "I have returned" like announcement that hailed the next chapter of your political adventure, stories about who leaked it and numerous highlight reels of your impressive career dominate the news. Coverage of your leader seems to be buried by the coverage about the hired help. While some might argue that is a welcome development, the old-school pro that you are knows the coverage should be about the boss not the staff. After all, wasn't Iggy supposed to be the saviour you have morphed into in the eyes of the Liberal masses?
In an earlier piece today someone described your hiring as " a game-changer." In time that might prove to be the case. But whoever inflated those expectations and put a target on your head forgot that old Chrétien maxim that you helped execute - "under promise over deliver."
After you have guided Iggy to the promised land I hope you'll allow me to repent for stirring the pot.