Copps 'a Comin'
And they're off...almost.
The federal Liberals have a real live entrant in their so-called leadership race. Of course, officially it's still a one horse race but it's not the horse we've been watching to date.
Federal Heritage Minister Sheila Copps took time between Timbits to toss her Prime Minister wannabe hat into the chocolate dipped and glazed ring, the first Liberal to actually declare herself in the running.
No one really thinks she'll win, likely not even Sheila herself. On the other hand, neither Paul Martin, the heir apparent or the remaining rumored, candidate, Finance Minister John Manley have bothered to show up formally for the competition. At this rate a coronation of a new Queen Liberal instead of King could happen.
Elected in 1984, Copps brings a lengthy political resume of five successive elections and eighteen years in the House of Commons, many of those years as Deputy Prime Minister or managing the cabinet portfolio of environment, followed by her current gig in the Heritage Department.
Copps brings something else to the race the Liberal party professes, ideologically, to oppose: class warfare.
From the very launch of the campaign, designed to showcase her working person roots by shunning the grand ballroom of the nearest swank hotel for the relative middle class symbolism of the original Canadian doughnut king, Copps has promoted herself as the grassroots candidate, one not indentured to the big business interests of Bay Street.
In other words, every thing Paul Martin isn't.
While classic liberalism promotes an egalitarian sense of self in society, Copps has little other strategy with which to attack the juggernaut Martin machine. Martin has been amassing cash for this battle for so long that until Copps jumped ahead of the pack it seemed likely he would assume the Prime Minister's chair without having to spend a dime. Talk about being able to opt out of the pension plan.
Copps simply does not have the kind of clout with the business community needed for argent accrual and likely never will. Her comparatively low profile ministry responsibilities have never created enough waves to register on the radar screens of big business.
And Copps is counting on an "I'm not with them" approach to win over those she will refer to throughout the campaign as the "real liberals" in the party. Portraying herself as the 'people's candidate' - in opposition to the interests of Martin supporters - is really all she has to offer.
Latest Articles