Thursday, August 22, 2002
On that long way out - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, once said: “He serves his party best, who serves his country best.” Last week you’ll recall there was a poll that said something like nearly all Canadians felt it would be best if Prime Minister Chrétien stood down in favour of his former finance minister, Paul Martin. That poll, as most are, was a load of bullocks but yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister that he’ll stand down in 2004 may be interpreted as heeding the wishes of Canadians. After all, as the Paul Martin group seemed to be pressuring Chrétien, he always said he’d stay on as he was given a mandate by Canadians in 2000.
Chrétien has served his party well. First elected in 1963 and subsequently serving in nearly every portfolio in the governments of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chrétien has for nearly 40 years kept everyone guessing. He’s kept mum on the subject of whether he’d stick around and seek a fourth mandate. Until recently, it seemed as though he might. Brian Tobin’s grandstanding departure in January, the multiple cabinet shuffles, the sacking of Paul Martin, all seemed to look that Chrétien was to stick around for another fight. Alas, he won’t, though we’ll have Jean Chrétien to kick around for some 18 months to come. Yesterday’s announcement is uncharacteristic of the Prime Minister. We’re playing a waiting game for the next 18 months. It’s as one of the reports said, a “slow motion” departure, much like the one Joe Clark proposed some two weeks ago. We know how it will end, but till it does, anything could happen.
The civil war within the Liberal Party of recent months precipitated yesterday’s announcement. Clearly, Paul Martin’s leadership aspirations became too much to bear for himself, the Prime Minister, and for the entire structure of the Liberal Party. Some were itching to embarrass Chrétien come this February. Alas, the Prime Minister has fought back and dealt a surprising move for the Martinites to comprehend. Bigger than the decision to remain in cabinet last spring, Paul Martin must now make a decision. Will he still seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada in 2004, some 18 months away? In so doing will he remain in Parliament, something former leaders John Turner and yes, Jean Chrétien didn’t have the balls to do? Or will leave politics for now, go to that infamous booth in the back at Winston’s Restaurant in Toronto, and wait till February of 2004 to make a triumphant return?
Jean Chrétien ought to be commended for excellent political skill. Just when he looked bombarded by attacks from within and without, he shot back with a move that brought Paul Martin himself yesterday, to merely praising a guy for whom he hates so passionately. Just as his beloved Liberal Party, a party “bred” in his bones, was about to unceremoniously embarrass him in February of 2003, Chrétien made sure as leader, he’d call the shots. Sure, Martinites control the Liberal Party (much because Chrétien has ignored them over the last 12 years), but Jean Chrétien, is the boss and he steers the ship.
The Liberal Party of Canada looks to replace its leader within the next 18 months. We’ll have to see if Paul Martin decides to still seek the top job. We’ll have to see how much the stars of John Manley, Frank McKenna, Allan Rock and Sheila Copps will rise between now and February 2004. Will Brian Tobin make a return bid? Here and now is not the place to eulogise on the career and accomplishments of Jean Chrétien. Clearly, there isn’t much to show for the last nine years in power, and I think we’ll have to expect some major largesse between now and the time the Prime Minister takes his leave. One ought to gloat as Chrétien himself admitted in his statement that he and his party have not been governing because of the ensuing controversy.
For the Canadian Alliance, a party I’ve supported in the past, it would have been easier had Chrétien stayed on and sought that fourth mandate. A fourth mandate that would have put him on par with Laurier, and certainly past Trudeau. I don’t think the Liberals have much to worry about. With the Alliance and the Tories in disarray and the NDP a non-entity, the Liberals will probably win by default no matter who their leader is. One is left wondering if Jean Chrétien served his country well. That’s absolutely doubtful, but for sure setting forth this schedule of departure, the Liberal Party is well served.
Joe Clark, because there is no chance for a snap election under Chrétien or any other Liberal, is gone. Jean Chrétien isn’t a lame duck just yet, because he controls the purse strings. With the departure of two former prime minister’s and two giants of Parliament Hill, it’ll be the end of an era for sure. With nearly 70 years of Parliamentary experience between them, politics has changed in this country.
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