Rae strengthens image as Liberal Party’s ‘face’
OTTAWA — During the week in which Liberals from across the country are gathering to discuss the future of the party, interim leader Bob Rae has been front and centre. He announced Tuesday that a New Democrat MP had defected to his party. That was followed by two speeches in as many days. And before this weekend’s biennial convention is over, he will give three more.
It’s part of a trend political analysts and some Grits say has become noticeable since Rae took over in May — Rae has become the face of the federal Liberals.
The question is whether he is transforming the party into the “Rae Liberals.”
Speaking to dozens of provincial association directors on Thursday, Rae said the only way the party will successively turn itself around is if members set aside personal differences and begin rebuilding from the ground up.
“There is no room for personality conflicts in this party,” he said. “What matters is our ability to come together and to respect each other.
“My belief is the party needs all hands to the wheel and every shoulder to the wheel. We can’t afford to have anybody on the sidelines here. We need to have everybody engaged.”
That’s a good strategy, said John Trent, a fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Centre on Governance.
“Both of the opposition parties would be well positioned to go with a slate of people instead of just one leader,” he said. “A leader, yes, but surrounded by a team.”
But Trent says for the most part, it’s been all Rae, all the time.
“Certainly for us who are observers, the public face of the Liberals is just Rae.”
That assessment is shared by some Liberals.
“There is absolutely no doubt that during his tenure as interim leader, Bob Rae has certainly become the literal personification of the Liberal Party,” said former national policy chair Akaash Maharaj.
Given the fact the party is in the process of rebuilding, the presence of a strong leader such as Rae is undoubtedly a good thing, said professor Bill Cross of Carleton University in Ottawa, providing essential energy, exposure and vision at a time when the party needs plenty of both.
“It appears that he is sort of playing the long game,” Cross said. “He’s looking to the next election.”
In accepting the interim leadership following the May federal election, Rae agreed to a stipulation that he would not run for the permanent leadership.
Liberal commentator Robert Silver rejected suggestions Rae has been dominating the party.
But he also acknowledged Rae’s ambiguity on whether he will run for the leadership leaves open the door for speculation.
“If he was simply doing the job of interim leader, we wouldn’t even be talking about it.”