Dancing, etc.

I'm not sure what's set off dance-mania in Canadian politics this summer, but I like it. From Harper's little dance in the Arctic, to Ignatieff's multiple dance performances aboard the Liberal Express, it seems everyone's dancing this summer. Last night, those accustomed to watching politicos sitting on TV panels would have done a double take to see the entire crowd at the Baddeck Firehall -- we're talking reporters, MPs, senators, and the senior staffers for Ignatieff -- all out on the dance floor while Liberal whip Rodger Cuzner was belting out rock and roll with the band on stage. Those familiar with Twitter might want to go to the #lpcx tag and see some of the candid shots filed from the dance floor. 

Last night's gathering was a fundraiser for a scholarship set up in the name of the late Jerry Yanover, the parliamentary-procedure guru for the Liberals for decades, going back to the Trudeau era, who died a year ago.  At some point last night, for reasons unclear to me, there seemed to be a bidding war for a police shirt, which was being alternately sported by Ignatieff staffers Pat Sorbara and Leslie Church. I did not see a shirtless policeman anywhere in the room, but somehow the exercise yielded $350 for the Yanover fund apparently. 

News-wise, so far this Baddeck retreat for the Liberals has produced more dancing than headlines, but that may change today when the full caucus meetings start in earnest. Ignatieff is making a speech at 1:15 p.m. (local time) so that may be the next chance to hear what's on Liberals minds for this fall. 

Comments

[Joseph K. Mayer]

Hello Susan,

The dance phenomenon also gripped the Canadian Medical Association's General Council at different times during this summer's session. People who have caught the deliberations on CPAC may have seen delegates and staff "twisting" during one of the periodic stretch breaks advocated by the Speaker.

Yours,
Joe

[Aongasha]

Somehow the media getting it on with the Liberals does not surprise me. Don't both consider themselves the official opposition in Ottawa these days?