Why HASN'T Ignatieff resigned as Liberal leader yet?

[Ken Burch]

He's led the Opposition for a long time now, and in all that time has only on one or two exceedingly brief occasions had them even close to a lead.

Why does he even WANT to stay on as leader at this point?

Isn't it virtually unheard of in Canadian politics for the Official Opposition NOT to have a huge lead over the government at this stage of a government's existence?

Shouldn't the Liberals do the sensible thing and choose a francophone as leader, given that that's their only chance of beating the Bloc in Quebec(something they have to do to win)?

[polly7]

1. I wish he would step down.

This is the perfect time for a strong personality in the Liberal party ...... matter of fact, we're desperate for one, and he's just not it.

[Ken Burch]

3. Not only has Ignatieff FAILED to get his party into the lead in the polls

he has also stubbornly refused to do the only thing that would have made sense if he was going to insist on fighting an election from his current poll standings, which would be to work out a coalition arrangement with the NDP in exchange for introducing and passing, as early as possible, legislation to elect the Canadian parliament via proportional representation, rather than the antidemocratic first-past-the-post system.

Canada with elections under pr would NEVER have a prime minister like Stephen Harper again.

[daleo]

2. Because it would be ridiculous

Because it would look like panic. Because he hasn't lost an election. Because members and donors would consider the party flighty and inconsistent. Because the Harperites would laugh and say the Liberals are to gormless to stand behind a leader and are hopelessly internally divided.

[Ken Burch]

4. Doesn't everything he and the Liberals have done look like panic ANYWAY?

Nobody sees him and his party as pillars of courage these days, especially since they've voted for(and will never repeal)every horrible piece of right-wing legislation the Tories wanted. All the bills that passed with Liberal support will stay on the books forever.

[daleo]

5. He's 5 points down from Harper

So Harper is beatable. His summer tour seems to be going ok, which means he will probably be an effective campaigner.

I would have liked Kennedy, but I think Ignattieff has a good shot.

[CHIMO]

6. You should ask Iggy

That question.

Perhaps you are not aware that the leader gets two shots at elections. And winning means improving the previous numbers.

All that is required in the next election is to reduce Harper's numbers.

Harper has to beat the Bloc to win. Do you expect the Conservatives to elect a leader from Quebec. Your suggestion is irrelevant.

What is your definition of a long time?

The sensible thing is get Harper out. Start by reducing his power. Continue by frustrating his caucus. They have been living under an authoritarian dictator for near five years. They are the ones that are most likely to revolt.

[EmilyKent]

7. I believe Mr Chretien would call you a

'nervous Nellie.

[Ken Burch]

8. Would he call me that as he was strangling me?

And no, I'm not nervous...just puzzled.

A decent opposition leader would have her or his party ten to twenty points ahead by now.

[EmilyKent]

9. Depends on if you'd bugged him for years I guess.

And as far as I know there were calls for Harper's resignation because he was such a bad Opposition leader just 6 months before he became PM.

Being a new leader doesn't guarantee you a rise in the polls. And in Canada there is an enormous split in the vote caused by the Bloc.