Rules aside, David wants in

Liberal candidate has neither money nor support to run

Jean David still wants to run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party.

Despite rules adopted last weekend that, he admits, makes it a daunting prospect, David said he has not given up hope.

“I’m going for it,” David said in an interview Tuesday. “I’m trying to put everything in place to be there. And I want to win.”

Gathered in Laval on Sunday, the Quebec Liberal gen- eral council adopted a package of rules for the leadership campaign to replace Jean Charest, who stepped down after losing the last election.

Off the top, a candidate has to provide a $50,000 deposit to even be considered. Candidates must also show they have the support of 500 Liberals in at least 50 ridings in 10 regions.

Big-name candidates like Philippe Couillard, Pierre Moreau and Raymond Bachand are not expected to have any problem meeting the requirements.

But David is another story. He says openly he does not have the $50,000 “lying around in a drawer.” He does not have a single caucus member supporter and launched his campaign alone sitting in front of a fireplace in an Old Montreal restaurant.

David said he’s discovered that just meeting the criteria requires a certain organizational structure. He has to find an official agent before he can even spend the money needed to get his signatures.

Right now, he can’t even travel to meet them.

“I’m not rich,” David said. “I have no organization.”

A former Cirque du Soleil marketing vice-president, David said unlike the other candidates he is not a professional politician so meeting the criteria is a challenge.

Candidates have until Dec. 14 to file their papers and produce the signatures.