Back to school for Ignatieff

The Liberal leader has announced the 11 campuses he'll be visiting in the New Year, as part of his effort to connect with the "unconverted," as he put it in his interview with this paper last week. Here they are:

•    January 11, 2010 – Nova Scotia Community College
•    January 11, 2010 – Dalhousie University
•    January 12, 2010 – HEC Montréal
•    January 12, 2010 – Concordia University
•    January 13, 2010 – University of Toronto Mississauga
•    January 13, 2010 – McMaster University
•    January 14, 2010 – University of Manitoba
•    January 14, 2010 – University of Calgary
•    January 15, 2010 – University of Victoria
•    January 15, 2010 – University of British Columbia
•    January 18, 2010 – University of Ottawa

Comments

[Leasa]

I'm just curious to know what he has been doing this last week and what he will be doing until Jan. 11? Is he even in the country?

[geo]

There's a number of open positions at these universities.
The university of Calgary is looking for a new president and some deans.
I hope he doesn't forget to bring along enough copies of his resume.

[John D]

Leasa, how is it any of your business what he's doing over the Christmas holidays? Was it just a lame attempt at a 'not in the country' joke? Yes, he's having a secret French Solstice Party at Harvard, happy?

[Nathan]

Liberal party renewal is going to come from Iggy touring Canadian Universities for a week? I bet this actually gives the Conservatives a bump.

[Jkozan]

He's not going to win any seats in Sask anyway so why even try??

[Markalanwhittle]

As if hard-working students need another Liberal American Professor spouting off wishy-washy talking points, in one ear, out the other, goes it.

[AS]

wow...should be difficult to "convert" the liberals and Liberals at the University of Ottawa!

[Nola]

There is a goldmine of Liberal votes at Canadian universities, but unfortunately, university students are more concerned about their studies and sex than politics ... which explains their low voter turnout ... I think. I'm sure that Iggy could really impress the freshmen, but they are more concerned about sex than even studies..!!!

[R M]

Not surplused that he really is avoiding Downtown Toronto Campuses ... lots of converted students there

[MyThought]

Geez, Leasa - can't keep away from partisan shots. Let's see, he's done some interviews, attended a funeral and probably doing some behind the scenes stuff.

How about you Con kiddies showing up for committee meetings like grown ups?

What do people have against university kids?

[Turtle's back]

Professor Iggy off to University to get votes. He'll talk down to them like he talks down to us.

I hate his voice to high reminds me of Dion!! Think about it.

[hollinm]

Amazing. This man supposedly wants to be PM of the country but refuses to meet with ordinary citizens who are not Liberals. It is well known that he is more comfortable in an academic setting so these venues fit right within his elitist style.
He doesn't have to worry about moving into a hotel while 24 Sussex is renovated. He will never see the inside as PM of Canada. Canadians will make sure of that.

[Lore]

Nice to see he cares about Saskatchewan enough to stop by...

[Ottawan]

I'd normally say this is very much the opposite of reaching out to the unconverted, but Iggy isn't the typical Liberal leader and has an awful lot of baggage that can't sit well with young people, in particular his support for coercive interrogation, the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and continued support of the Canadian occupation of Afghanistan.