My decision

As this is my first time ever writing to a politician, I will keep it short. I agree with all those who commend your action in helping the liberal party to move on. You have worked very hard for Canada and no doubt will continue to do so. I feel prouder to be a liberal with this working together. Thank you. All the very best,
Maureen

Thank you Mr. Rae for your outstanding service to Canada for many years -- and now in its hour of need. You are truly a class act, and I look forward to seeing you in a very senior role in the next government of Canada. I would have preferred your candidacy in the leadership role, but I will support Ignatieff.

Dear Mr. Rae,
I really wanted you to become the Leader of the Liberal party. While I'm sad that this did not come to pass, I want to firstly, thank you for putting your name forward to do this (again) and then, for having the wisdom to know that it was time to throw support to Michael Ignatieff.

It's been an awful couple of weeks in the Life of Canada and somehow, I feel the adults have returned. Now, go run the renegades out of town!

Thanks so much for serving on our behalf.

Dear Bob:

I think that you are a magnificent communicator and a pretty good man. I voted for you when I was 18 years old for the premier of Ontario. I was determined to run as a delegate for you in my home province of Quebec. It is sad that there is no grass root involvement in the selection of the leader, and it is not good for democracy in the long haul. Having said that you showed great class ... I applaud for you. Way to go Bob! :)

...between Mr. Rae and Mr. Ignatieff. Mr. Rae allows comments on his blog and Mr. Ignatieff does not.

I support Mr. Rae's decision, but I am disappointed. Hopefully, Mr. Rae will influence the party and continue bring his fresh ideas to the party; fresh ideas like blog comments.

Christopher Taylor

These are indeed extraordinary times. Given the situation, and the fact that a decision regarding leadership needed to be made extremely quickly, I would like to thank you for your selfless act. I believe you have acted in the best interests of the Party and Canada, and in doing so, demonstrated true leadership. Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal party are very fortunate to have you. I will give my full supoort to Ignatieff, as I agree with you that the most important thing now is for all of us to pull together and rally behind him. Well done - you are an example for us all!

I am disappointed that Mr. Rae has dropped out.

It is long overdue that as a Party there should be one member one vote. Although I was a member years ago, I am a lapsed Liberal. Years ago, I remember being at a nomination meeting at the local constituency and the constituency executive decided by themselves who they were going to support for leader of the party at the national convention. I did not agree with their decision, but I did not get a chance to vote on the issue. Its disheartening to see that things have not changed, but maybe, through the influence of Mr. Rae and spurred on by what Prseident Elect Obama was able to achieve....namely inclusiveness, maybe the Liberal party will change.

Dear Bob,

I think you have proven your true leadership qualities once again and it excites persons like me. The crucial requirement of now for Canada is to have leaders like you who can drive a change and you are a great driver. It does not matter if your friend Michael takes the seat of the Prime Minister. What matters the most is continued drive within the Liberal party which requires great amount of reengineering of its national image, old Liberal charisma of Trudeau,young and vibrant Liberal party as it existed years ago.This can be done by you and you only.Since we need a two third single majority of Liberal party at the national level, you should take the seat to reengineer the party instead of the Prime Minister ship at this moment

I am with you and millions like me will vote for you whenever the system allows one vote for one person.

Like the other people who have commented here, I'm extremely disappointed that you've withdrawn from the leadership race, but I understand that you did it to put unity of the party and stability of the country first. The irony is that this proves to me that you are the person who ought to be leading the party. Not enough politicians in this day and age are willing to put the public good before their personal ambition. I look forward to lending my support to your future endeavours, and I am glad to see that one of them is working towards one member, one vote. Thank you.

Bob was influential in my becoming a member of the Liberal Party, and I was disappointed by his decision to not run for the leadership position. I was also impressed by what I interpret as his placing priority on the health and forward motion of the Liberal Party and furthering the success of the Liberals winning the next election. I've been increasingly struck by Bob's intelligence and warmth, his statesmanship and his tackling of issues. Thank you, Bob, for your service and energy for this country. You make it a much better place for your presence and input. I look forward to your continued influence on the Liberal Party and on our country's inclusive policies and commitment to future generations' well being going forward.

Sincerely,
Judith Farrant

I applaud Bob Rae for his mature decision. So glad to see that there are still politicians out there who are capable of putting their ego aside and focus on the larger issues.
This has given me the impetus to join the Liberal Party and to contribute in any way that I can to defeat the Conservatives in the next election!

Whist I believe that Mr Rae would have made an excellent PM, my respect for this gentleman has just risen even further. What an astounding show of party support and unity. Well done Mr Rae. You've proven that the dedication to rebuilding the liberal party, and the current crisis in parliament, are more important than any personal aspirations. Bob Rae will continue to serve us in another high level position. A true Canadian! It's time to unite, provide strong opposition, and give Canada back to the people.

Harper definately fears this new Liberal unification. "Time's up chum" is right! Thanks Bob.

I have never voted NDP nor Liberal, and likely never will, but I must commend you, Mr. Rae, for your class. Some have style; some have class. Yesterday you demonstrated class.

Although my Tory DNA would never allow me to vote for you, as a long time Ontario-dwelling Albertan, I always appreciate how you seem not to take yourself too seriously. I like how, in an interview, by the third question you usually start laughing.

Rarely do we see such selflessness in today's cynical politcal landscape.

Mr. Rae has shown himself to be a statesman of the highest order and must surely have a significant role to play in a future Liberal government.

And besides, we need more of his banter with Don Newman on CBC to help take our minds off this economy!

While I was disappointed to see Bob Rae withdraw from the leadership race I was also very proud to witness a truly remarkable leader & statesman. In his own words he recognized “that we cannot always control the flow of events, and that our own interests and ambitions are less important than the greater interest of the Liberal Party and the country”. Bob is a political leader who has put principals before ambitions and power. Unlike some other whose name I cannot bear to type out today. As another who wrote “I have rarely witnessed such integrity and self sacrifice to the betterment of the party and the country” to which I unequivocally agree. The Liberal party, is fortunate to have an individual like Bob Rae whose actions have strengthened the party and will with his continued involvement encourage others to do what is needed to rebuild the Liberal Party from the grassroots up.

Hear, hear, for a genuine and gracious man of class!

Like many Canadians, my husband and I followed the extraordinary events in Parliament precipitated by Harper's unethical and bullying tactics. We were disgusted by the events and saddened that Dion was unable to show the leadership needed to bring down the Conservatives. Yesterday, I watched as Bob Rae announced his decision to withdraw from the Liberal leadership contest. I have rarely witnessed such integrity and self sacrifice to the betterment of the party and the country. Bob Rae would have made an excellent leader of the Liberal party and the country. We can only hope that Mr.Ignatieff will use Rae's talents to the betterment of the party.

Bob Rae is one very classy Canadian.

Thanks Bob.

Bob,

You've proven yet again how extraordinarly generous, noble and honourable a man and politician you truly are.

How fortunate, indeed, is our beloved country, past and presently, that you've chosen to dedicate your Life to the "Greater Good" at considerable personal and professional sacrifice. Surely, your decision now to "stand aside" with respect to the federal Liberal Leadership "contest" so abruptly -- and prematurely ended, to Canadian Democracy's loss, in my view -- unequivocally demonstrates your willingness to put principles before power ... and personal ambition.

Service to our beloved Canada has been, and is, your legacy, already writ large. I'm not dismissing your future prospects or contributions, Bob -- I know they will be great and of further enormous benefit to Canadian society.

You being you, will continue to work with others in building the best possible Canada, assisting and engaging Canadians from all walks of Life in this most worthy and crucial pursuit: Public Service is in your nature -- in your very DNA, I venture -- and we are all blessed for that.

Michael Ignatieff, is indeed, most fortunate to enjoy your friendship and support -- I hope he realizes just how great a debt of gratitude he owes you now and forever; likewise, the Liberal Party of Canada. Virtue being its own reward and your lifelong modus operandi, I know your motivation in "stepping aside" wasn't simply a "running the numbers pragmatism"; it came from the heart and the deep love you have for our country and your fellow citizens.

In case anyone thinks I've a vested interest, let me declare that I rooted (from my armchair) for Stephane Dion's Liberal leadership bid in 2006 and was delighted he won. I also believe history will be much kinder to him than the Liberal Party of Canada, media, or Canadians who didn't "get him" because he wasn't a "cut and thrust, go for the jugular" type of politician. Which isn't to say that he lacked strength, vision, integrity, grit, guts, political smarts, or the ability to connect with "ordinary Canadians" or anyone else. He has all of these in spades. In my view, Dion reflected a new paradigm of political leadership and eventually, Canada will catch up to him.

Your own substance of style and political engagement, while different than Dion's, is likewise "High Road" rather than "Low Blow".

Which is why I have always admired you -- and in particular, the difficult decisions you were faced with and took while Premier of Ontario (I also think history will judge you more fairly in this regard than has lamentably been the case in too many quarters.) Among them, your decision to implement "Rae Days" -- better half a loaf than none! in my view. And yesterday evening on TVO's Agenda (I believe, could have been CBC National or CTV Canada AM/National), one media/political pundit whose name escapes me opined that what is very likely needed now, given the deepening recession nationally and more and more Canadians losing their livelihoods with no respite in sight, is a "Rae Days" equivalent nationally, so how ironic that! Should be music to your ears, certainly was to mine!

Truly Honourable Bob Rae: Stand tall, be serene of soul, be proud of who you are and how you (have always) and are now "Walking the Talk" in the interests of Canada's "Greater Good" -- more than ever, if this is possible!, given your stellar track record to date.

I am supremely confident that your future remains a bright, beautiful, and bountiful one. As well as that millions of Canadians -- including this one -- are happy and honoured to "stay the course with you" in your quest to make our beloved country the best one on Earth in the days and years ahead, and for generations yet to come.

Look forward to shaking your hand "in person" -- and lending my support to your endeavours in working towards our collective goal,

M.C. Kelly
Canadian Citizen, Toronto Centre Constituent, (newly) Liberal Party of Canada Member*

*Precisely because of you, Stephane Dion, and past Liberal greats, Pierre Trudeau, Lester Pearson and Judy Lamarsh, among other "pioneers of principled political practice". For the second time (first, just post October 1995 Referendum), I've put my money (however modest my means) where my mouth is. Precisely in order to be able to actively participate in "the debate" about, and the development of, the Liberal Party of Canada's future direction, vision, leadership and "governance" inside and outside the House of Commons ...

This is the first time I write to a politican or write on a blog but I wanted to say how impressed I have been with Bob Rae over the last few weeks. Not since PET has a politician impressed me as much. He was the only clear, sober voice among the loud confusion, accusations, etc. I was ready to vote for Bob all the way to PM. Good luck.

This is the reason that I have supported Bob Rae over these years, his devotion to his Country, constituents and his party.

Bob has withdrawn from the interim selection to expedite the best interests of the Liberal party and enable a clearly "unified voice" in opposition to the Conservative party leadership.

When I first heard this news, my initial feelings of shock were soon replaced by a further appreciation for Bob Rae.

Although I recognize the need for the Liberal party to present a united front to Canadians, I was disappointed to see Mr. Rae withdraw from the leadership race. Given his past record, he is clearly the most experienced person for the job. His clear belief in a better Canada and his dedication to public service is obvious to those of us that are listening. It is clear that he puts the well-being of the country ahead of his own ambitions. How rare.

Genuine and gracious...not characteristics often exhibited in a politician, but there clearly today in your speech. I was surprised and saddened to hear this morning that you were removing yourself from the Liberal leadership race. I have not always agreed with your position, but I always respect your thoughts and am eager to listen and understand. Today was no different. I hope people in the party have had enough exposure to your stype of politics to pick up a few pointers and, also start acting genuine and gracious, despite themselves.

All the best.
Beth

Mr. Rae,

On behalf of all citizens in this country, who really understand the necessity for Canadians to come together, with all our distinctions, I applaud you for the vision, courage and strength in making this decision.

Although I am not a Federal Liberal, I have been impressed with the actions of your party this week and want you to know it has made an significant impact and will inform my choice the next time we vote (which hopefully will not be for sometime).

As an outsider, either you or Mr. Ignatieff represent a new direction in leadership and I would have been as satisfied if it had been the other way around.

To all those in the Liberal party, you are fortunate and blessed to have individuals who are able to recognize in a time of need, an evolutionary shift in behaviour was required. Bob Rae has done this and I believe his actions have given more confidence to the 62% who voted beyond Harper.

Bravos, kudos and let's get to working together!

Kind regards,
Vivian Dean

I was deeply saddened today by your announcement, but realized that you must have been placed in a position for which this was the best response. I simply wanted you to know that you were my choice, and that I felt that the Coalition was an appropriate move as a Check for Balance in a Parliamentary Democracy.

I wish you and your Family well. You are a Canadian of huge stature.

Sharon Deline

Mr. Rae,

You are a wise and thoughtful man. You have earned my unqualified respect today. You may well be remembered one day as the man that saved Canada. You have proven that you put Canada and Canadians above your career, and I thank you.

Be well Sir.

Bob, your commitment to the party, the country and our democracy have been truly inspiring. While I am disappointed you will not be continuing your quest for the Leadership, I understand and respect your decision. In your announcement you have shown all of us how politicians should conduct themselves. I look forward to your continued involvment and will be encouraging others to do what is needed to rebuild the Liberal Party from the grassroots up.