Billy Joe Bob questioned my optimism/pessimism that Bob Rae’s tenure as Ontario premier, and his Chretienista supporters, would make him unelectable in Ontario and Quebec.

The NP interviews numerous people in Ontario who think, at the very least, Rae has a very large hill to climb to overcome memories of his tenure. The biggest challenge seems to be in rural Ontario and among Liberal Party folks themselves, who think Rae’s commitment to the party is shallow (though they also acknowledge Rae was a Liberal in spirit when he was in fact NDP Premier - perhaps Rae himself is a bit confused whom to love?).

Anyway, those don’t seem insurmountabe obstacles for his candidacy. Urban voters, especially younger ones brought up to regard Mike Harris as evil, won’t remember his NDP days. And Rae’s shallow commitment to the Liberals is outdone only by his main rival, Michael Ignatieff, who hasn’t confirmed he’d stick around if he lost the race.