Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae a big winner in constitutional crisis

By Charlie Smith

I'm guessing that Bob Rae has strengthened his hand in the Liberal leadership race. By speaking out so strongly against Prime Minister Stephen Harper over the past week, Rae has stood in sharp contrast to his main rival, Michael Ignatieff, who went AWOL during the recent constitutional crisis.

Rae has called Harper a liar. "His speech last night was positively Nixonian," Rae told CBC Radio.

Ignatieff, on the other hand, was reported not to be interested in a cabinet position in a coalition government.

He also described the proposed coalition government as a "poisoned chalice", according to the National Post, whereas many Liberals and New Democrats saw the coalition as an appropriate political solution for getting rid of a dangerous demagogue

Liberals will respond positively to Rae's more vigorous opposition to Harper, but so will other Canadians who loathe the prime minister for playing the national-unity card to save his political hide.

That could result in a lot of people taking out Liberal memberships so they can support Rae at a leadership convention next May.

Today, Governor General Michaelle Jean granted Prime Minister Stephen Harper's request to prorogue Parliament. This prevents a Liberal-NDP coalition from defeating the Conservatives in a nonconfidence motion on Monday (December 8).

Parliament will resume on January 26 with a speech from the throne, followed by a budget on January 27.