Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW
He also offers his thoughtful perspective of Stephen Harper’s last 10 years in his recent eBook, The Harper Decade.

Categories: Blog Central, Capital Read, Inkless Wells

John Manley is not running for the Liberal leadership

by Paul Wells on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 12:41pm - 38 Comments

This has been another instalment of Things That Won’t Surprise You At All.

Tags: John Manley

More by Paul Wells

John D

pssst! Terry – The Reform party is dead. And despite what the lefties like to say, the CPC is not even close to Reform.
http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

“Is that is just a Liberal phenomenon?”

Blues Clair

I think in Canada it is. Obviously pols go into politics to win but NDP and Cons don’t win that often. Occasionally Cons win election or two and dippers have no chance but yet people still join both parties. I think the lust for power is just so blatant in Libs, they can’t hide it.
A Tandon

Bit of a shame, losing Manley. I was hoping he would bring some much needed adult supervision to the Liberals.
I have no data to support this whatsoever, but I think Manley would cut in Conservative support more than any of the other would-be Lib contenders. Moreover, it would have been hard for the Cons to pound Manley as unworthy, seeing as they invited him to write their Afghanistan policy.
Paul Wells

I just like the word “douchey.”
Ti-Guy

Good riddance. Now he’ll be free to take up a position with Homeland Security, if he still has any friends there left by tomorrow, that is.
A Tandon

For what it’s worth, it’s useful to keep in mind that Iggy first suggested the carbon tax, when Dion was against the idea during the last leadership race. Will he bring it up again? Curiously, it’s Dion who appropriate that baggage after having been convinced of it’s value by the platform committee, ie Brison (if reports are correct).

That brings us to the breathlessly awaited question: Will Scott Brison run?

I don’t beleived he’s missed a race yet.
Sisyphus

He’s already declared himself out (Brison).
Riley

Ti-Guy,

Manley works for a top law firm in CANADA and has served the Canadian public extremely well for most of his life. But boy, that last point of yours was a real zinger wasn’t it?
Andrew

“He’s already declared himself out (Brison).”

Oh, double entendres…
Ti-Guy

. But boy, that last point of yours was a real zinger wasn’t it?

Thank you. Although truth be told it was rather effortless.

I just remember Manley playing kissy-face with Tom Ridge and that just really soured me on him.
Riley

Ti-Guy

Want to know why our economy wasn’t devasted like the U.S. after 9/11? Who worked to keep the borders open and the trade flowing so that Canadian jobs wouldn’t be at risk? Who worked closely with Americans so our borders were secure and unable to be used “against” the Americans?

John Manley. So you’re darned right he played kissy face with Tom Ridge. They were golfing partners and friends. That relationship helped get Canada prime-access to U.S. officials and establish a Bi-National Planning Group that ensured Canada’s voice was heard at all stages of security discussion about U.S. border issues.

Tom Ridge, pro-choice, moderate Republican. Woooo scary.
whyshouldIsellyourwheat

//I just remember Manley playing kissy-face with Tom Ridge and that just really soured me on him.//

Iggy has been seeking the attention and approval of British and American neoimperialists his whole life.

Manley at least had a reason…trying to keep the border open for Canadian manufactured goods to the US market.

What is Iggy’s excuse for his career as a sycophant?
KRB

I saw a speech from Manley on CPAC, and seemed to me watching that that he was getting ready to jump back in. A loss for the LPC, for sure. It’s looking good for Ignatieff, as the centre–centre-right in the race. Having said that, I still think the Liberals will find a way to give Bob Rae the leaders job.