Musings on Greenwood

As the dust settles from the 2011 Federal Election, the Liberals begin their long journey out of oblivion.

I’m not a Liberal. I have never and will never vote for the Liberal Party of Canada but today, I’m giving them a piece of advice as they begin to rebuild;

Stop looking for the messiah!!!

The Liberals need to realize that they aren’t the natural governing party any longer. Their problems run much deeper than Michael Ignatieff and won’t go away with a change of leadership regardless of who they choose.

They’re going to have to earn back power…one inch at a time.

Look at Harper and Layton. Regardless of what you think about either man, they both have pit bull tenacity and a willingness to fight for every last possible vote.

The most recent election was the fourth campaign for both of them. In that time, Harper fought two leadership campaigns and united the political right while Layton fought one leadership race, cancer and hip surgery.

The Liberals anointed Michael Ignatieff in 2009 after Dion’s departure and are now leaderless and in third place.

It’s clear that a minor shuffling of the key players or a few token changes aren’t going to do it. The Liberals need to acknowledge that their dreadful third place finish was warranted then work to fix it and brace themselves for the long haul. This won’t happen overnight.

It took the NDP 50 years to become Official Opposition.

The Tories and the Reform/Alliance languished for 13 years in the wilderness before knocking off Paul Martin in 2006.

In short, the Tories and the NDP have fought harder over the past seven years to dislodge the Liberals than the Liberals have fought to protect their position. I blame this on the party’s attitude that power is a Liberal-birthright in this country.

Not anymore.

Their return to power is not inevitable. The Liberals are going have to fight the NDP and the Tories vote by vote, riding by riding, day by day, inch by inch.

That’s what the other two parties have done and that’s why they’re where they are today.

I’ve posted a clip of Al Pacino’s famous speech from “Any Given Sunday” where he rallies his football team.

The federal Liberals need to make this their rallying cry going forward.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the sight of a humbled and bloodied Liberal party but as a former federal Progressive Conservative, I can sympathize with anyone who’s political party has just been thumped big time.

All I can say to them is if they still believe in their party, prepare for a long road back to the promised land.

Ethan Rabidoux