Time Flies, but is Stéphane Dion Having Fun?

April 07, 2008

Two years ago today, Stéphane Dion set in motion an epic chain of events when he announced that he was running for the leadership of Liberal Party.

At the time, nobody could predict what a Stéphane Dion victory would mean for the Liberal Party…

…well actually, virtually everyone predicted it.

“Stéphane Dion, the ex-minister, has more detractors than admirers in Quebec, his home province, and few supporters elsewhere.”
Guelph Mercury
April 17, 2006

"He's [Dion] very, very divisive in the province of Quebec.”
Allan Gregg
Chairman of the Strategic Counsel
Globe and Mail
April 15, 2006

"But we wonder whether [Stéphane Dion] will be able to climb down from his ivory tower background and connect with the rest of us, who are preoccupied with trying to earn a living, pay our taxes, travel the streets in safety and find a family doctor to look after our medical needs."
The Ottawa Sun
April 8, 2006

“Dion shrugged off suggestions he suffers from a fatal charisma deficit.”
Montreal Gazette
April 8, 2006

“Don't expect any 'Dion-mania’.”
Le Nouvelliste
April 19, 2006

“Several candidates for Liberal leader, including former environment minister Stéphane Dion, are emphasizing green issues in their leadership campaigns. It's hard, however, after so many years of Liberal stalling and neglect to take any Liberal seriously on the environment.”
Ottawa Citizen
April 12, 2006

Mr. Dion also had to contend with the fact that he could not set priorities, had no real record to speak of, was deeply unpopular in his home province, and extremely unimpressive to the rest of the country.

Only one person remained in complete denial about Mr. Dion’s problems.

"I think I've won people's respect in Quebec, I sense that everywhere.”
Stéphane Dion
The Toronto Star
April 8, 2006

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Stéphane Dion. Not a leader. Not worth the risk.