Absenteeism

Where did Michael go?
We searched east and west
We searched high and low
Where does Michael rest?
We just don’t know.

And do we really care?

NO!

The end of July. Mid-way through summer. Abdelrazik repatriated, but Cons push for more alleged terrorists. White collar crime is ever present, and the Cons give in to corporate greed. The big story remains: Where is Iggy?

For the gossip-gossipy politicos, the only thing that tops election timing prediction is Ignatieff’s whereabouts. Does anyone really believe that what Iggy does with his summer months will make or break the Liberals election potential?

In his first six months as leader, he has yet to prove that he has vision, that he has interests for the country that stretch beyond his own personal aspirations. He has been reactionary, allowing the Conservatives to set the agenda while the Liberals avoid taking stands. One month without Iggy sound like a blessing for everyone including him.

Would putting Iggy on the BBQ circuit make a difference? There are certainly those who feel that summer is the time to grab local headlines and energize the grassroots. But the Liberals are not a party of the grassroots. They view themselves as the party of governance for Canada, not the party of the common citizen. Those claims are left for the Conservatives and the NDP.

Moreover, some leaders are not meant to be commoners. Dion did the BBQ circuit, but he was aloof and could not close the deal with potential voters. If Iggy is as arrogant in person as he comes across in interviews, he may face the same fate.

Canadians want a leader that inspires confidence – in whom they can believe has the intelligence and judgment to make the appropriate decisions. Grabbing a beer is not high on the list of attributes for leaders. Here is where Iggy excels –remaining the distant intellectual may actually help him. But he has to show that he offers sound judgment and not merely reactionary politicking. He has to do more than say yay or nay to potential elections.