May I Help You?

Stephane Dion's obliging helpfulness to his party betrays the sensibility of a man incapable of viewing the larger picture. That of his party wishing to be rid of him, at last. The man is so utterly wed to his personal idealization of himself as the right man with the right message at the right time whose agenda was derailed by the evil machinations of an opposing political party, that it became obvious to everyone he had no place in politics.

That he represented a poor choice as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada in the first place is a matter for the Liberals themselves to mull over at leisure. Their instant embrace of that come-from-behind surprise, thanks to the gentle maneuvering of Gerard Kennedy, in acceding his vote and his candidates to Mr. Dion's advantage, speaks volumes about acting in haste and repenting at leisure. There was good will aplenty, and hopes for the future in vast abundance.

All squandered, because of the outcome of a poor choice. Well, we all make unfortunate diversions from our intended direction because of unforeseen obstacles, and often we embrace the opportunity to see things in a new light, and take the other path hoping it will render in the final analysis, a solution to the problems we face. There are times when things do work out well. And then there are occasions when they do not.

Who might have imagined that this highly-touted intelligence, this even-handed, high-minded former academic was made of a fabric resistant to weathering? The kind of weathering that the political arena invokes in the seasoning process of an able politician? That Mr. Dion is fundamentally a decent man, a virtuous man of great integrity, is very nice.

That he is incapable of conferring with his colleagues, of seeking advice, of collaborating for the greater good, and of reaching workable compromise, is not so very nice; obstinacy does not lead to sound judgement. Obstinacy as it relates to one's fixed apprehension of one's own abilities and cerebral soundness above the intellectual abilities and political talents of confreres can only lead to failure.

Particularly and most obviously when that complacency of self is not matched with the level of political awareness and social-needs comprehension and governing administrative skills required in a leader. So Stephane Dion, so freshly rejected by the electorate, so acutely personally responsible for the dismal showing of his party across the land, is eager and happy to stay on as interim leader for the good of his party.

And lest there be too many obtuse party members whose instinct it is to recoil at the prospect, Mr. Dion informs the media that the race to succeed him would assuredly be conducted in a "respectful" manner. First and foremost, "respect" would be demonstrated for the dignity of the current leader's intent to remain in position. For the selfless, and perfectly altruistic purpose of helping to groom his successor.

"What has been great was there was not an inch of defeatism in what they have said", Mr. Dion reported to the news hawks, eager to hear his every word. What? No one came straight out at the caucus meeting to bitterly denounce Mr. Dion's inept campaign, his incapacity to heed implicit warning, his self-indulgence, his whining accusations during a time when a leader should be recognized by the public as worthy?

What a polite bunch of losers. More credit to them. They have no wish to further bruise the ego of a frail-minded politician. Who sequestered himself initially the better to nurse his wounds, which proved in the end, not to be as potentially fatal to his self-regard as feared.