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 Post subject: stephane dion new liberal party leader
PostPosted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:12 pm 
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Dion surges to victory, defeating Ignatieff

MONTREAL — Stephane Dion has won the Liberal leadership in an upset win over Michael Ignatieff, who had been the front runner coming into this convention.

The final battle between the two former professors was not decided until the fourth ballot.

Mr. Dion had surged into the lead on the third ballot and went on from there, winning a clear majority of 54.7 per cent of the final vote.

Mr. Dion was the only candidate from Quebec. He now becomes the third party leader in a row from the province.

In his first speech as leader of the Liberal party, Mr. Dion lauded each of the eight candidates who had entered the Montreal convention.

"Friends, this race made us stronger," he said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have before you a Liberal dream team."

As leader, Mr. Dion said he would offer a federation "where governments will contribute, working together."

But to do that, he called on his home province to put its culture and talents to work hand-in-hand with all of Canada.

"Quebeckers, let us not be blocked," Mr. Dion said. "I will always defend with conviction and clarity for our country, Canada.

"We are proud Quebeckers and proud Canadians and we're right to not want to choose between these beautiful identities," he said.

Earlier, Mr. Ignatieff said in his concession speech that the delegates had chosen a great leader.

"We have chosen a man of principles, a man of courage and a man of conviction. He will have my entire support," Mr. Ignatieff said.

With the all of the other candidates gathered on the stage, former prime minister Paul Martin said: "We are so proud of all of you."

He predicted Mr. Dion will become the next prime minister.

Mr. Dion said, the "most exciting race in the history of our party is over. Let's get ready for the election."

Some felt Mr. Dion's imperfect English was a political liability. The Montreal MP, however, impressed many rank-and-file Liberals with his dogged determination.

The former academic logged thousands of kilometers crossing the country, hauling his trademark leather knapsack and speaking at a drop of the hat on the environment and other policy issues.

Mr. Ignatieff, a former Harvard professor, ran a well-organized campaign, but his views on Iraq and other foreign policy issues, coupled with the fact he's spent most of his career outside of Canada, bothered a number of Liberal delegates.

The leadership race was widely acknowledged as the most wide open contest in a generation.

Mr. Dion secured 2521 votes to win by a margin of 437 in the fourth and final ballot of the convention in Montreal.

"I'm so happy, I'm so honoured to lead my party," he said immediately after the result was announced.

Mr. Ignatieff, who went into the convention as the favourite, secured 2084 votes.

In a dramatic day of voting, Mr. Dion surged ahead of Mr. Ignatieff on the third ballot forcing Bob Rae out of the final round.

In a stunning run up the middle, Mr. Dion overtook the two leaders with a 16-percentage-point gain since the second tally.

It means the 51-year-old former academic and unity minister — viewed as a longshot when he entered the race — went into the final round as the favourite.

Mr. Dion took 37 per cent of the third ballot votes, while Mr. Ignatieff continued to eke out only small gains and slipped into second, with 34.5 per cent after the third ballot.

Mr. Ignatieff gained only three percentage points since the second ballot. Mr. Rae, who gained 4.5 percentage points between ballots, finished with 28.5 per cent.

Mr. Rae started the day with momentum after endorsements from three of the second-tier candidates, but could not keep pace with Mr. Dion, who had sealed a pact with fourth-place Gerard Kennedy.

As the last of the third ballot results came in, a defeated Mr. Rae kissed his wife. Around him, his supporters were fighting back tears.

"There's no shame in losing," said Arlene Perly, Mr. Rae's wife. "He threw his hat in the rink, he did remarkably well. I'm very proud of him. It wasn't in the cards, life goes on."

While the Rae supporters stood in shock, a din rose from the neighbouring Ignatieff camp.

Denis Coderre, Mr. Ignatieff's Quebec lieutenant, was leading a phalanx of supporters, chanting "We can win! We can win!"

Mr. Rae's supporters withstood the charge, and after a brief scuffle, Mr. Coderre retreated, though he remained resolute in his bid to take over the defeated candidate's delegates.

"We're asking the people: if you want to win the next election, if you want to win Quebec, if you want to win Ontario, Michael Ignatieff is the one," Mr. Coderre said.

But Mr. Rae said he would not try to influence his supporters, many who were so sure of a Rae victory they had not thought about an alternate decision.

"This is an open convention and I said to the delegates who supported me that they are free to vote their conscience, they are free to vote as they will," he said.

Mr. Rae, would not tip his hand. "I'm keeping my own counsel."

Ken Dryden, who stepped out of the race following the second ballot and joined Mr. Rae's team, moved his support to the Dion campaign.

Mr. Dion also had the support of some of Mr. Rae's big-name backers, including former finance minister Ralph Goodale, former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, MPs and former leadership candidates Maurizio Bevilacqua and Hedy Fry, as well as Mr. Rae's Quebec campaign manager, Jacques Saada, and Jean Chrétien's right-hand man, Eddie Goldenberg.

Mr. Ignatieff also caught some of Mr. Rae's big fish, including sixth-place finisher Scott Brison, who had gone to Mr. Rae after the first ballot, MP Judy Sgro and Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman.
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i really didnt see this coming. i thought if it wasnt going to be ignatitieff it would more than likely be rae.


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PostPosted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:25 pm 
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I never thought it would happen.

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:46 pm 
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me neither.


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