Chastened Liberals have to aim lower

[CHIMO]

The Liberal Party of Canada is a tough old beast and predictions about its imminent demise are premature. But there can be no gilding of the lily that falling to third place in the 2011 election, with only 34 seats, 68 behind the NDP, and 133 behind the victorious Conservatives, is a monumental defeat. Michael Ignatieff did the honourable thing by taking responsibility for the loss and resigning with speed and grace.

Liberals are still feeling the extent of the carnage, but two central questions have to be answered if the party is to have any future: What went wrong, and what to do?

Explanations abound for so rapid a decline from a majority government, but one essential reason is captured in the question I was asked more than any other in knocking on doors: “What does the Liberal party stand for?” Answering that question is the first step on the road back.

Not so long ago, the Liberal party had a clearly defined and understood mission: the Pearson Liberals gave us the welfare state, the Trudeau Liberals gave us a Constitution with a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Chrétien-Martin Liberals gave us a balanced budget and financial freedom after decades of deficit spending. There were national projects enjoying a consensus within the party and support from the public.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/985129--chastened-liberals-have-to-aim-lower

[Very_Boring_Name]

1. This one quote I have literally been saying for years. I've said it on this forum more than once

"Early in my career, I spent time in the House of Commons listening to David Lewis, leader of the NDP. Lewis argued that his true opponents were the Liberals, not the Conservatives."

That right there is the problem with the Canadian left. Divided we fall.