Memo shows Tories fear Ignatieff most

[tuvor]

Would prefer taking on Bob Rae
Document rates Liberal hopefuls

Toronto MP Michael Ignatieff is the Liberal leadership candidate the Conservatives would fear fighting the most in the next federal election. And, of the top contenders, the Tories would most like to take on former NDP premier Bob Rae.

The conclusions are contained in a confidential memo obtained by the Toronto Star, and written by Conservative national campaign chief Doug Finley.

Addressed to the CPG, or Campaign Planning Group, the memo assesses the Liberal leadership race from a Conservative campaign perspective to determine "which leadership candidate would be most formidible." It came after extensive polling and focus groups conducted by the party during July and August, including surveys of both the general public and so-called election "switchers," who could change their vote to the Tories.

Finley, a key Tory war-room strategist in the last federal election, says Ignatieff (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) "worries me most." However, a hand-written margin note by an unknown person adds: "Puts his foot in his mouth too much. Will be problematic (for Ignatieff)."

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1159393811656&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

[Bragi]

1. Disinformation? /NT

[Muddy75]

2. I would think so as well. Iggy is a much easier target...

i.e., where he's lived for the last 30 yrs, his approval of the Iraq war and torture, etc. I think Bob Rae would steal some voters from the NDP side as well.
Whoever they choose, they better do it quick and get it over with. This is getting a little embarrassing for them.

[daleo]

3. I think they fear Dion, Dryden and Kennedy

Not necessarily in that order, though.

They figure they know how to handle Iggy and Rae - that's why the corporate media is pushing the latter, and mostly ignoring the former. It's like asking the other team's coach which goalie they fear to play against - you're bound to be told the opposite of how they really feel.

[glarius]

4. Sounds like a Karl Rove type planted story to me!

The Tories know that Ignatieff is not favoured by the Canadian public and would help the Tory cause if he were the leader....IMO!

[Spazito]

5. I think it is disinformation, deliberate "leak" but....

Rae would be their best result, he has a ton of baggage they can use, imo. If the Libs go Rae, the faux cons will win the next election with, at the least, another minority government.

I am not a fan of Ignatieff either but, between the two, Ignatieff would garner more "middle of the road" voters than Rae, imo.

Personally, I would like to see either Kennedy or Dryden win and, if the votes split between Rae and Ignatieff, as supposedly the polls are showing them as the front runners, Dryden or Kennedy could come up the middle and actually win. It will be interesting, that's for sure.

[glarius]

6. I saw on CBC Newsworld a week or so ago a poll that was asked

of first...Liberal supporters and secondly...Canadians in general. The question was "who do you support for leader of the Liberal party?" In both instances the answer was Ken Dryden. As I said in another post, if the Liberals are interested in winning they won't pick another dud like Martin, but will think of the wishes of the public.
Sorry I don't have a link to the poll I mentioned.

[Spazito]

7. I think I read that poll as well, it had struck me that it was

different than the other ones in that it wasn't touting "front runners" and was asking a different and, imo, more real set of questions. I did wonder to myself if I was just reading more into it than was there because Dryden is my top favourite so seeing a poll that was favouring him looked like a "good" poll to me!

[glarius]

8. The more I have listened to Dryden, the more I have been impressed

by his general knowledge and knowledge of the issues. He also doesn't sound or act like a politician which is refreshing for a change! In the beginning he was sometimes rather ponderous when he was talking, but seems to be much better now, in his public speaking. I hope they pick him.

[LeftistGorilla]

9. Ken is my MP!

he's super great!

[CHIMO]

10. 'Don't buy' leaked Tory memo, Rae says

OTTAWA — The ruling Tories may have indulged in some mischief Thursday in an apparent bid to influence the outcome of the Liberal leadership race.

On the eve of the Liberals' super weekend, when some 4,300 delegates will be chosen to attend the party's Dec. 2 leadership convention, a confidential memo from Conservative national campaign chief Doug Finley was leaked to two newspapers, one French, one English.

Offering his assessment of the top four contenders in the Liberal contest, Finley confides that rookie Toronto MP and acclaimed scholar Michael Ignatieff would be the most formidable foe for the Conservatives.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=1159480210671&col=968705899037&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News

I also am a bit skeptical. If Iggy wins then some votes will migrate to the NDP. Thus splintering the votes further.

Steve has a toe hold on the right and Iggy ain't going to change that part.

[Bassic]

11. Whatever

My money's on Dion. Even though I can't stand the arrogant fuck.