Is Michael Ignatieff fading before the gentle but growing support for Bob Rae?

According to the pundits and my sources this seems to be the case. The unknown factor is the size of the “traditional” delegates; those who are party presidents, past MPs and so on. That there’s a horserace at all is to be marveled at.

If Mr Rae is selected it will be a rare moment as Premiers do not as a rule get to live at 24 Sussex Drive.

The fact that Bob Rae is even in the picture is a testament to the lack of fixed principles in the Liberal Party; in fact they have but one – get elected and stay elected.

Mr Rae, it is said, will put Ontario back in charge of the running of Canada. If Ontarians have such short memory that can forget Rae’s term as premier, Rae does have some reason to think that they have indeed forgotten and, as they always do, will vote for whomever might get them back in power.

Stephane Dion, by far the most experienced and I would argue the ablest of the lot, suffers from being seen as French everywhere – haven’t we had enough of that – to being a Benedict Arnold or perhaps Judas Iscariot in Quebec.

There is another candidate who’s been plodding along and picking up respect if not delegates – I refer to Ken Dryden.

He has the advantage of being from Ontario while becoming a hero in Quebec by reason of his years as ace goalkeeper for the Montreal Canadians. If neither Ignatieff nor Rae make in on the first or second ballot, Dryden’s in there with a chance – a small chance to be sure, but a chance nevertheless. If Dryden makes it, it will be on the third ballot after Ignatieff and Rae show that they don’t have enough secondary support.

I think the best bet is Bob Rae but for a long shot, put your loony on Ken Dryden.