Liberal Priorities

Now that Maurizio Bevilacqua has endorsed Bob Rae what does it mean to the Liberal leadership race?

Not much according to journalist and author Paul Tuns.

Paul argues Michael Ignatieff is still the front-runner:

"Most people I talk to say that Ignatieff has emerged as the person to beat not because he has excited the party but that likely delegates (to use a word I've heard a lot) are 'settling' on him. They like the positive media coverage, they think he brings fresh ideas, and he is not tainted by either Adscam or taking sides in the Martin-Chretien feud. Most importantly, they think he is the only person who can beat Stephen Harper. "

Doesn't that reflect the sterility of political debate in this country?

The Liberals aren't thinking about new visions or promoting an ideology, it's just "who can beat Stephen Harper."

And it's not just the Liberals; the Tories were guilty of the same mindset while they were in opposition.

The irony, of course, is that a party that spent more time on developing a coherent set of policies and less time on short-term political tactics, would likely be more successful at the polls.