GILLES DUCEPPE: Hoping for divine support
Before politics: A student radical, then a member of a Maoist group that instructed members not to vote in 1980 referendum, causing Duceppe great regret later. A hospital orderly before becoming a union negotiator.
First political impressions: It’s tough being a separatist in Ottawa. After becoming first MP elected under Bloc banner in 1990, was surprised by the reception — insults, no time in question period — from other parties.
Evolution of brand: Call it BlocBerry, once dominant in its market but now appealing mostly to diehards. Oversaw Bloc’s demise, quit, now returned with a mission to keep it from the scrap heap.
On the gaffe scale (1 to 5), and biggest gaffe: 4. Donning a hairnet during a 1997 cheese-factory visit inspires cartoonists to this day.
Thing Canadians would most want to share with him:
A recipe. He does much of the cooking at home.
Flagship policy: Separate Quebec.
Achilles heel: The party runs only in Quebec and can never aspire to govern. After falling hard for the NDP last vote, Quebecers are unlikely to revert to the Bloc if the NDP has a hope of forming government.
Poll position: In Quebec, well behind front-running NDP, behind second-place Liberals.
Winning strategy: Pre-campaign bike tour stopped last week at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Basilica, renowned for miracle cures, and it might take divine intervention for the Bloc to win this year.