Smoke from the backrooms

I have a story in today's paper -- an interview with Michael Ignatieff's new chief of staff, Ian Davey. I'll put some more tidbits from this interview on the blog in coming days.

In the meantime, if you want to read more of what's been happening (or not happening) behind the scenes in the OLO this summer, have a look at this lengthy and interesting piece in this week's Hill Times. It deals with the reports we started hearing last March -- that former Privy Council Clerk Alex Himelfarb was all set to be the new chief of staff to the Liberal leader.

From my understanding, that did indeed *almost* happen, and the Hill Times is correct in reporting that there was a pushback from staff.  According to one story circulating out there, the arrival of Himelfarb would have precipitated a huge staff departure from the OLO -- some voluntary, some involuntary. With a possible election looming as soon as this fall, that might have been just a bit too much upheaval.

 At CanPolitico.com, incidentally, there's a new post this morning that takes issue with the conventional wisdom I cite in today's story -- that  loyalists and long-time aides are a hindrance in power.  CanPolitico cites all the leaders, ranging from Chretien to Trudeau to Harper, who've kept their long-time supporters close to them.

Comments

[j. fotheringham]

Will the liberal "insiders" quit blathering on about whos in and whos out, who has disagreements. They are not helping the liberals with voters, they sound like a bunch school kids trying to be important. The upcoming election will be one of the most important for Canada with Harper or Ignatieff as Prime Minister. Harper has crippled this country fiscally, his foreign policy is a military solution and most important of all has destroyed Canada as a strong Canada and being nothing more than ten provinces speaking in different languages

[Wascally Wabbit]

Sorry Canpolitico - loyalists simply deepen the divisions after a painful period for the party. Paul Martin brought Earnscliffe - did they help him or the Liberal Party? I think not - they continued to play the dividing game.
Thus far - I haven't seen any deepening of divisions yet - but neither have I really seen much reaching out from the top.
Rocco Rossi is a success - both in terms of fundraising and in reaching out - but beyond that...in the Hill Times article - they talk of Himelfarb being the wrong shoe for Chief of Staff.
The trouble I see is - NO shoes have been dropping and Mr. Ignatieff and where he wants to lead the party and hopefully the nation - has yet to be defined.
I hope that's not because he senses that where he instinctively and philosophically wants to go isn't where the party expected him to lead them....

[Wascally Wabbit]

There's also an old saw that a lawyer told me - not so long ago...
Lawyers love to talk...on the one hand - on the other hand - but don't ask them to make a decision - that's what judges are for!

Maybe Mr. Ignatieff needs fewer lawyers and a few more judges around him!

[Joseph K. Mayer]

Hi Susan,

I hear that the OLO has improved greatly over earlier models -- very professional and structured, with a strong sense of purpose on the part of the staff.

Among the newest hires, I think Jim Pimblett will bring some much needed experience to the OLO. I have only met Dan Brock once, but he strikes me as top notch.

As Ian Davey recognizes, some improvements are needed, including the need to be "faster". Having worked with George Young in the last campaign, I think he would make a great addition to the OLO in a senior role (though I have no idea if he's available or interested).

Finally, your article provides a number of reassuring messages. One good test will be whether or not the Party has nominated "most" of their candidates by the time Parliament returns. That will be one indication of whether or not the party is ready for an election (others include whether the party has a campaign plane, a day-by-day campaign strategy, identified winnable ridings to focus on, etc.).

Yours,
Joe