tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20023114.post-68311249232659765622006-12-03T16:16:00.000-05:002007-05-09T20:34:41.522-04:00This was one hell of a weekend, with new party leaders chosen for both the federal Liberals and the Alberta <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tories</span>. If there's one thing I learned it is this: Never count out the underdog. Dion went from fourth on Super weekend (with 16.2%) to first on the final ballot, and Ed <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stelmach</span> <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">surprised</span> everyone in Alberta to defeat <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">front runners</span> Jim Dinning and Ted Norton.<br /><br />There are many possible reasons for this "underdog" phenomena. Backroom deals no doubt are one reason. Kennedy's support of Dion changed the race. But I don't think this behind-the-scenes bargaining alone is what determined the winners.<br /><br />Delegates in both the Alberta Conservative election and the federal Liberal election chose the least divisive candidate.<br /><br />Ted Morton and Jim Dinning took many nasty jabs at <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">each other</span>. <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ignatieff</span> and Rae did not see eye to eye on Quebec or foreign policy. When the top dogs tore <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">each other</span> down, delegates chose unity over <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">controversy</span>.<br /><br />Liberals and <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tories</span> share different visions for the country, but the logic propelling their leadership choices is the same. Both chose the candidate who best transcended the rifts created by the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">front runners</span>.<br /><br />Sometimes, being the underdog isn't so bad.<div class="blogger-post-footer">SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL REVOLUTION<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/20023114-6831124923265976562?l=pleasurepuremadmenknow.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Attila Vasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03903198608273207251noreply@blogger.com0