# Stephane Dion is the new Canadian Liberal Party Leader **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 3, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709 "2006-12-03T18:01:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709/21 "2006-12-05T08:08:32Z")
[QUOTE=severus] I have no idea what you mean here. If Quebec and Ontario are the kingmaker provinces, how did Dion’s low popularity in Quebec ensure his selection? Shouldn’t it have done the opposite? [/QUOTE] Basically put your infering that his past poor showing in quebec will be an indication of his future showing in the belle province , and fair enough from a voter point of view. Either one of two things has happened One , Dion comes across as a known and trusted politician to most people that vote liberal, if your looking for the status quo in your politician he is most likely to be the one to deliver it. As for his poor stats in Quebec, frankly I dont see any of the current crop of pols that could make a large percentage of the Quebec population either happy or at least willing to take a look at what ever might be offered in the future. Two , the fibs wanted a place holder for the next several election cycles, practical reasoning suggests that they want someone that is not going to come across as a wingnut. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709/22 "2006-12-05T08:14:22Z")
[QUOTE=Declan] if your looking for the status quo in your politician he is most likely to be the one to deliver it. [/quote] Yes, most certainly. > [@](#): > > Two , the fibs wanted a place holder for the next several election cycles, practical reasoning suggests that they want someone that is not going to come across as a wingnut. Problem is, in Quebec, Dion does look somewhat of a “wingnut”. He’ll probably get the reliably Liberal vote, but not much more. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709/23 "2006-12-05T08:29:42Z")
On re reading your post , I noticed that I never ansewered your question. As long as both Ontario and Quebec hold the majority of the seats , who ever wants to win the election will have to field someone that would resonate in both provinces. I have not a clue about Iggy Bob Rae has too much baggage in Ontario ,but I think he would make a good effort regardless. Kennedy is too Ontario centric from what I can tell , and maybe a touch too young. That left Dion He is Ontario neutral, and antagonistic to the Quebec separtatist machine, how he resonates with the actual voters is irrelevant to me, but politically he is a viable candidate. All that aside, I would not vote for any of them Declan ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709/24 "2006-12-05T08:33:02Z")
[QUOTE=severus] Yes, most certainly. Problem is, in Quebec, Dion does look somewhat of a “wingnut”. He’ll probably get the reliably Liberal vote, but not much more. [/QUOTE] Bob Rae was never expected to win the election back then either, I still remember the Donato cartoon at the time , with a surprised look on his face, saying what, we won ? Hopefully we are not living in interesting times. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709/25 "2006-12-12T19:54:12Z")
As long as he doesn’t start warbling “My Heart Will Go On,” he has my support. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephane-dion-is-the-new-canadian-liberal-party-leader/382709.md?page=1)