Maxime Bernier Launches Leadership Bid

...for whatever they decide to call the new party. Maybe the New ADQ, or NADQ (pronounced Nadak). At least the Winnipeg Press says its a done deal. Remember, rumours of Bernier moving to the provincial level have been circulating for years; I helped create a few of them.

Somewhere, a beleaguered Jean Charest is smiling.

An Interesting Thought

Considering the turmoil in Quebec politics right now, Bernier could be setting himself up for a departure from federal politics to the provincial scene? Certainly the ADQ could use a new leader and a much higher profile.

If you remember, back in Feb. 2009 I managed to break a small story about how a couple of ADQers had launched a drive to recruit Maxime for party leader. Everyone thought this was some kind of crackpot thing or an outright hoax, but it turned out to be true. Could, one year later, Maxime be reconsidering his options and eyeing a jump into Quebec politics?

If so--talk about planning ahead. Gérard Deltell was installed not six months ago, and the next provincial election won't be held until 2012. Usually, in the ROC at least, you give a new leader at least two elections before you pitch him, so Maxime's turn would probably not come until the mid 20-teens. Is he capable of playing "the long game" for this long?

Because Quebec Needs A Leader That Biker Chicks Think Is Hot

The adéquistes for Maxim Bernier as boss of the ADQ

The ADQ needs a boss with the experience. We need someone with a record to win elections. Former VP of the Economical Institute of Montreal, Maxim possesses the baggage intéllectuel that it is necessary to remake Quebec a place or economical prosperity returns to normalcy the ours. This is well with this experience that it is well equipped to defend the real values of the ADQ against its opponents.

In winning his second mandate as representative of Beauce with a majority crushing of 62%, it demontre a capacity impréssionante that the ideas basically adéquistes are well received. It is just necessary the boss for the goods to represent:

MAXIM BERNIER As next boss of l'ADQ...Comme next Prime Minister of the Quebec

The contact given is Markbuzan@mac.com. And Mark Buzan is presumably this guy. No idea how serious this might be, but I would assume not very.

H/T