Wanted: one leader for the pending, something-old, something-new Conservative Party of Canada. Qualifications: Must have more charisma than Stephen Harper and sit somewhere to the right of Joe Clark. Washed up former provincial premiers need not apply.

Seriously, now that Mike Harris has declined to run, who they gonna call?

Personally I never thought Harris would make it into 24 Sussex; no doubt he could take more seats in Ontario than the Reform/CA ever would, but how many, exactly? After eight years of his premiership, he is strongly disliked by much of the province, and the recent electoral drubbing (love that word!) that his anointed successor Ernie Eves received suggests that Harris was just clever enough to avoid embarrassment at the polls.

In any case, he isn't playing. My feeling is that leaves Stephen Harper as the front-runner. I think that'd be nothing but the third incarnation of the Reform Party: "The Alliance That Ate The Tories", slogan, We're not progressive.

I think though we could look for a "draft-Bernard Lord" movement. He's young, bilingual, and has Eastern appeal. But hold on a second, the guy has been running New Brunswick on a pro-business platform for what, three years? Anyone care to bet how close HE is to the Irvings? Besides, what good has he actually done there?

It's what they call a wide-open field. Any Canadian Mudcatters want to apply? C'mon Clinton, this is your chance at a steady paycheque and some upscale guitar choices :)=

Bill
sitting back and watching them get ready...I bet Paul Martin is REAL worried.