Kennedy Opposing "Nation" Motion

First of all, sign the petition. Who knows how valuable one of these online pettions really is. However, Warren Kinsella is behind it and a media name as big as Andrew Coyne has signed it. It's something to do to show where you stand.

Speaking of standing up for something... Remember a couple of days ago when I said I didn't expect Kennedy would take a stand on this issue? Clearly I underestimated the guy I'm backing. We don't know the details yet, but Kennedy is opposing the "the Quebecois are a nation within a united Canada" motion. As it stands, he's the only leadership figure on the national scene I'm aware of who has stood up and said as much. A couple of Conservative and Liberal MPs have said they won't be voting for it, but no other leadership figures. Hell, even the Bloq are behind this thing now! Funny enough, because they say it plays right into their hands.



The whole thing is quite a mess now, but I'm glad someone is willing to stand up and say this is the wrong thing to do. We'll surely hear more details today at some point when Kennedy holds his press conference. I would hope he at least shares some of my views on how this isn't any business of the government anyway. How it opens up a large pandora's box. How it's an insult to other cultural groups in the country. How it has all ready hurt the cause of a united Canada by riling up all this debate and opening old wounds.

No matter what inspired Kennedy to do this, it's also a pretty massive way to get himself in the public eye a week before the convention. A cynic could certainly suggest that the stance is being taken because Kennedy's been near invisible in the media despite having elected the third most delegates. Is this a desperate move to get spotlight and keep his slim hopes alive?

I don't think so, but I'm biased. I also havn't heard him explain his reasoning yet so lets all keep an open mind on that subject.

Whatever his reasons for taking this stand I'm really glad he has. I'm also really glad to have supported him pretty much from the start. Kennedy was basically pushed into the race by his supporters. He took a controversial stand on Afghanistan without playing to the cut and run crowd or the hardened military crowd. He has focused on renewal and is running a positive campaign when the other three top contenders go negative on each other. Now he's being the first leadership candidate to step forward and stand against this dangerous motion. Agree or disagree with his policies, his politics and leadership are admirable.

Probably not all that much of an accident that he received an endorsement from Justin Trudeau a few days before making this announcement. Kennedy is the only candidate now standing up for Trudeau federalism. It sets him appart and it's going to give some delegates another big reason to take a look at Gerard. Even if he loses and even if this nation thing gets through without much difficulty - at least someone is putting up a fight.

I have a feeling this is going to be quite a fun week for a political junkie.