Part 2: Dion's Plan: are all Liberals 'tous ensemble' on our running more women?

On Friday I wrote about a backlash against Stephane Dion's plan to run more women in the next federal election by some questionable characters. Joan Bryden's CP story was picked up by some of the print media and it opened the door to some dissent. Questions were raised by some Liberal bloggers who seemed to be having trouble with Stephane Dion's plan, even though any perceived 'in fighting' does not bode well for the next election. Nevertheless, these things can happen and can still be of no consequence if they live for a few days and then go away.

At first, I thought this might have to do with Stephane Dion reserving the right to appoint, where necessary. Then, I thought this might have to do with some ambitious Liberal men who might find themselves being passed up right now for nominations, thus making Stephane Dion's July 2006 promise to run women in 33% of ridings in the next federal election a bitter reality. After that, I started to see some dissent from Liberal men whose time has not yet come where they could run, but who feel threatened that Dion's follow up to his promise might thwart their political ambitions in the future.

What does Michael Ignatieff think? I would like to know because he, like all the leadership candidates, made a policy. Michael's promise described here was to run 25% women candidates and the next election and 35% women in ridings where there is no incumbent or where the incumbent is not seeking re-election. So, Mr. Ignatieff had committed to running slightly fewer women than Dion, but he still set firm quotas nevertheless.

Unfortunately, I am starting to see a pattern on the part of former Michael Ignatieff supporters from Stephane Dion's home province. For example, after multiple subtle shots at Dion's current challenge to run women in 33% of federal ridings, Antonio at Fuddle Duddle makes public on Liblogs this conservative blog by 'blogging tories' Chuckercanuk complaining about this same issue (for a CPC audience).

Does this overt promotion of dissent elsewhere stop with Antonio or does this also represent the attitudes of other former Ignatieff organisers? What about their elected mentors? Do Mr. Rodriquez and M. Coderre quietly support this type of seeming dissent by Antonio because of their own private ambitions? Are they in 'love' still with and would prefer as leader Mr. Ignatieff? Does a failed Dion attempt to govern make Michael the 'heir apparent' and is this what these mega organisers would prefer for next time?

Before going too much further down the road towards an election (which will mean allot of hard work), I would like to know who I can count on and who I cannot. Where does the dissent start and where does it end?

So, in the spirit of leadership, I think it is essential that Michael Ignatieff make a statement in support of M. Dion's plan for women in the next election to show we are really 'tous ensemble'.

Thanks Antonio. The last thing we really need is another albatross within the Liberal party because your nose is 'out of joint' still. We are either 'tous ensemble' or not. To mitigate the damage the onus is now on your 'idol'. There have been rivalries in the Liberal party for too long and it is very important that we promptly 'nip this one in the bud'