Never Again / Plus jamais

I'm subscribed to the mailing lists of all the parties - it's an
interesting channel through which to view the news. At any rate I
thought the letter below was interesting for its interpretation of why
Dion lost. Increasingly the Liberals are not competitive in more and
more ridings across Canada (hmm...more and more the Liberals are
increasingly not competitive...no, that doesn't sound right
either...oh well). I find it hard to believe that this is a result
solely of the leader or how the leader is viewed (though no doubt many
voters base their vote on the leader of the party rather than the
candidates within their riding). The new found "green-shift," while in
vogue perhaps, never really seemed to gain much ground. How much of
that campaign was Dion's child alone isn't clear but I think that the
party has a lot to do - and Dion was not necessarily the biggest issue
for them this past election.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Stéphane Dion <info@email.liberal.ca>
Date: Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Subject: Never Again / Plus jamais
To:

Never Again

Dear Liberal Friend,

You may already know that earlier today I announced that I will step
down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Over the next several
months, the party will conduct a leadership race to determine my
successor.

Moving forward, I have one overarching goal: the next leader must not
be subjected to the same Conservative Party character assassination
that I faced. To be successful, I need your help.

Harper's Conservatives have enjoyed an enormous financial lead since
the fundraising rules were changed, and from the moment I was elected
leader, they poured millions of dollars into unprecedented attack ad
campaigns. The Liberal Party lacked the resources to respond, and by
the time the election was called, a false image of me was cemented in
the minds of too many voters.

That can never be permitted to happen again. Between now and when the
next leader is elected, you and I must ensure the Liberal Party has
the financial resources to counter Conservative attacks. Every single
time.

So I'm asking you to be generous now, not for me, but for the man or
woman who will succeed me and lead our Liberal Party into the next
election – an election we simply must win. And while a one-time
donation today will help, for long-term strength and stability, I
would like you to consider making a monthly contribution of $10, $15,
$25 or more.

We did not win this election, but our vision of a richer, fairer,
greener country lives on. Please help now to ensure that the next
leader of the Liberal Party can turn that vision into Canada's
reality.

Thank you.

Stéphane Dion
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

Authorized by the Federal Liberal Agency of Canada, registered agent
for the Liberal Party of Canada