Stephane Dion Steps Down After Tripping

"My knees and orbs hurt." Stephane Dion, somewhere in Ottawa.

Now the debate begins. Sorta.

The Liberals are looking for a new leader. Strange how that works. Just last week they were "ready" to take the nation by storm with an absurd coalition next their leader is stepping down. No wonder Canadians weren't buying it. Maybe many people were unaware that minority governments were possible (which points to the poor state of civic education here) but they do have street smarts.

Indeed, Canadians were surprised to find two or three parties can morph into one. It seemed un-democratic (which it isn't) to them. Call it the American Influence Factor - of which there are many. In the States, they elect a leader and that's final - save impeachment proceedings which are difficult and rare to execute. Many Canadians assumed they voted for Harper and that was final.

Na-ah. Not in Parliamentary politics.

Which brings me back to the bright idea the Liberals had. Perhaps another time in a galaxy far, far away, a coalition would have been appropriate but it stank on so many levels it led to a massive negative reaction by the people.

Everyone knew the Liberals had a weak leader. Everyone knew the Liberals were divided (well, except for the Liberals apparently). In order for coalitions to function all parties involved need to be, you know, strong and united. How can it work when one is at war with itself?

Michael Ignatieff is set to take over the sinking ship. In my eyes (which are dry these days for some reason), the problems run deeper than just naming a leader. The Liberals are not getting their message across. Of course, they're hoping for Justin Trudeau to be Electro-idea Man. Judging by what I've heard him say the current feels weak.

For the Liberals, this is as much a leadership crisis (which is a problem across this land) as it is a crisis of ideas.

This is why I was surprised they made the Hyena-like pounce for power. An introspective rebuilding of the party would have been the prudent thing to do.