Is Iggy Becoming a Canadian?

He is certainly becoming a politician because, as this article indicates, the meaning of his Quebec proposals lie almost entirely in the eye of the beholder. However, talk now is of "eventually" re-opening the constitutional debate to recognize Quebec's special status, so the plan has clearly, under relentless criticism, fallen from the top tier of any Iggy administration priorities.

And it seems that in the past several weeks Iggy's mind has undergone extensive ideological readjustment. I still think, for example, that his opposition to Canada's joining the missile defense system is a reversal of an earlier stated position, but whatever. The important thing is that, if he ever becomes PM, he is now on record, and in no uncertain terms, as opposing Canadian participation. Furthermore, in a development that was not widely reported (other than here), Iggy has markedly cooled on ourAfghanistan mission. He has now fairly clearly stated that he does not want this mission extended past its current 2009 expiry date, whereas before he seemed open to the possibility (sorry, I can't find a supporting quote here).

Clearly, the process of campaigning has ground some of the Individuality off Iggy and, perhaps, one hopes, is making a Canadian Liberal of him. So now, while the thought of Iggy becoming PM still induces projectile vomiting in me, I'm not barfing quite as hard or as often. My concerns are currently more centered on the fact that, after almost nine months of politicking, he still puts his foot in his mouth. On policy matters, however, I now believe that he can be controlled, especially in a minority government situation (which is likely what we're going to get for the next several years).

And there is also still the matter of how Iggy will connect with "Joe Six-pack". Apparently, in his French interview on Tout le monde en parle, about the only Montreal Canadian he could name was Jean Beliveau. He'll have to do better than that. Someone should brief him on the game's history since he fluttered off to Harvard in the 1970s. Maybe make him watch all 24 installments of Rock 'em Sock 'em Hockey.