Stronach out, Kennedy in: Canadian Liberal Leadership mit pohl

Hey, Canuckistani handicappers... time to re-ink those racing forms for the NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA.

Belinda Stronach is press conferencing, as I type, that she is out. Bob Rae is probably in, and Michael Ignatieff is very likely. The field likely to emerge tomorrow:

Clifford Blais (Quebec)
Stephane Dion (Quebec)
Hedy Fry (BC)
John Godfrey (ON)
Michael Ignatieff (ON)
Gerard Kennedy (ON)
David McGuinty (ON)
Bob Rae (ON)

It looks good for Ignatieff, since I see the next strongest contenders being Rae and Kennedy, who may split the Liberal left flank... although on the Convention floor in December, one may award their delegates to the other and really challenge Iggy.

I've always thought Rae was a puzzle, the most corporate-friendly and program-cutting NDP pol imaginable. Kennedy has more social-justice cred. Rae is yesterday's man, and Kennedy is the up-and-comer.

I think the rest of Canada will really warm to Kennedy. He's young (45), very smart, a good speaker, has had roles of great responsibility in private life (Founding CEO of Toronto's Food Banks) and Ontario government, and he's good-lookin'. Even the Kennedy name still has a certain cachet. He was born in The Pas, Manitoba... rural/remote.

This track-rat says Kennedy's the horse to watch. Not that I haven't torn up my tickets in disgust before.