Liberal nod for Rebagliati a sign of party disarray

Rebagliati runs in Okanagan-Coquihalla: what are these guys thinking? And what's with the toque?

So Ross Rebagliati is now a Liberal candidate. I do not know Mr. Rebagliati, and do not disparage his accomplishment of getting gold at the Winter Olympics a few years back. However, from what I've seen and heard out of his mouth in the past few days leaves me to think Minister Stockwell Day has nothing to be concerned about.

Day is the Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla, a riding that is solidly Conservative. Day took it in a walk last time out, and the Liberal Party finished dead last. Parties who are worried about their ability to get enough members elected start using the "star candidate" tactic in order to draw more attention to themselves. The so-called stars are sometimes, but not always put into safe (winnable) ridings. They are sometimes also put into swing ridings, where it's hoped that their name recognition will tip the balance and lead to a winning outcome.

However, rarely are star candidates thrown into a complete losing scenario, unless there is a certain contempt at play. Take for example Arthur Griffiths run for Provincial MLA in Vancouver-Burrard last year. To me it was clear that it would be a rout for the NDP. Lorne Mayencourt barely won the riding (11 votes, after a judicial re-count) and by-elections are rarely favourable to sitting governments. Couple the fact that Griffiths, despite his family name recognition, didn't have any connection to the community of mainly renters, he didn't really have a shot.

Rebagliati would have to be able to walk on water, and have the oratory skills of Obama to even put the Liberal Party close to 2nd place. Instead Ross comes across as self-centered, unfamiliar with government policy, and at the same time he's trying to market an upcoming autobiography in time for Christmas shoppers. Voters will smell a con job, and the Liberals will pay dearly for it in BC as a result.

And what's with doing interviews in a frickin' toque? Does this guy think he's campaigning in the après ski lounge? If Michael Ignatieff's people have any sense, they'll find a way to get Rebagliati to do something else with his time. Ross will be a painful distraction for the party if and when the writ gets dropped.

As for the Tories, they must be laughing themselves silly on this one. As long as Day doesn't try to do any snowboarding during the next election campaign predicted for early next Spring, he'll trounce the lad from Whistler, BC.