"Belinda's Choice" and the "Ignatieff Factor!"

I admit that I have criticized Belinda in the past for her big ambitions that accompanied her lack of experience and expertise. She entered politics with the aim of leading the opposition on the parliament hill. She was young, fairly uneducated and a rookie, but she was the daughter of Frank Stronach.

However, she proved to be a very fast learner. Her public speaking improved rapidly and despite the fact that she didn't win the leadership campaign, she successfully won a seat in the caucus. Belinda was on a roll.

The progressive woman that she is, she didn't appreciate the treatment she received from her boss, Stephen Harper. So, she crossed the floor and accepted the ministerial position offered by Paul Martin. That bold move brought her bad publicity, animosity and much criticism that was uncalled for.

However deep down, I started to admire her for her courage and enjoyed watching her grow into a politician, elegantly.

Belinda is still a rookie, but she proved to all of us that when there is a will, there is a way.

Hearing the rumors that she may run for the leadership of the Liberal party, I became very disappointed. This was another contest that she wasn't quite qualified for. At least not yet. If she ran for this campaign, she would have been the first person to run for the leadership of two opposite parties in less than 3 years! Not the kind of publicity anyone would want.

Belinda made her choice yesterday and announced that she is not running. I am glad. I am more than glad. As a woman, I am proud of her and the politician that she will become in near future.

As Belinda bowed out, Michael Ignatieff finally announced his candidacy.

He said the vision that Stephen Harper has for Canada is a "provincial Canada, an unequal Canada, a Canada that forgets its aboriginal citizens, a Canada that fails to invest in the universities research centers and scientists, a Canada that fails to invest in the skills of its immigrants, a Canada that fails in the challenge of environmental renewal."

That's what I call the "Ignatieff factor". Tacky? Absolutely not. Imaginative, inspirational and idealistic? Of course.

I am happy about Belinda's choice and excited about the Ignatieff factor. I'd say let's roll!