End of the Dion era

As expected, Mr. Dion stepped down yesterday.

I did a couple of interviews on CBC, and the question kept coming back. As an "early"* supporter of Mr. Dion, how did I feel? Qu'est-ce que je pense de son leadership?

(*I was actually quite late in supporting Mr. Dion - end of October 06)

First, the period from his victory in Montreal to Christmas 07 was quite tough - losses in the Sept. Bi-elections, son entêtement vis-à-vis ses choix de candidats au Québec (see Marc Garneau). He didn't make many friends.

Second, confidence vote on the budget in March 07. I was ready to go, as were many others. That we stood down annoyed me greatly. Mais quand tu es seulement un candidat, et que les membres du caucus (surtout de l'Ontario) décident de ne pas y aller, on ne peut pas faire grand chose.

Third, the release of the Green Shift, a policy that I respect a lot, was muffed. The Cons were able to manipulate the message, not enough information was given out by the leader's office, and it took a month for the final details to be released to the public. Trop peu, trop tard.

Fourth, the election campaign run by Mr. Dion falls into two categories - the pre-debate and the post-debate periods. Le débat en français a reusit à defaire, en partie, l'image negatif crée pars les médias/les Cons. Les francophones se sont dit "pourquoi pas."

But in English Canada, the result was not the same - a poorly sold Green Shift, combined with a mediocre English debate and the infamous CTV do-overs killed what momentum came out of the French debate.

I saw the direct results of these dynamics in my poll-by-poll numbers - marked decline in my English votes and a significant (and very positive) increase in my French numbers.

So, what does this mean for me and Stéphane?:

Communiqué
Pour diffusion immédiate

William Hogg commente le départ de Stéphane Dion, chef du Parti libéral du Canada

Sherbrooke (Arrondissement de Lennoxville), le 20 octobre, 2008. William Hogg, candidat libéral dans Compton-Stanstead lors des élections de l'automne 2008, crois que la décision de Stéphane Dion de démissionner comme chef du Parti libéral du Canada a été un choix personnel, fait après une période de réflexion profonde.

« Lors de la campagne électorale, M. Dion a démontré qu'il était à l'écoute des québécois et québécoises. Sa performance lors du débat des chefs en français a montré aux québécois son côté personnel. » soutient M. Hogg. « Les gens ont changé leur attitude envers notre chef. Ils ont vu en lui un homme de principes, de convictions. Un homme intègre et honnête. Je suis fier d'avoir fait ma première campagne sous son leadership. »

« Cette après-midi, M. Dion a fait un choix difficile, celui de démissionner comme chef du Parti libéral du Canada. Cette décision a été prise après une période de réflexion profonde, et donc, d'après-moi, elle est bien fondée. Elle mérite beaucoup de respect. » continue M. Hogg.

William Hogg juge que la décision de M. Dion de démurer comme chef très approprié. « M. Dion continuera de nous apporter son leadership et sa vaste expérience sur la scène du caucus à Ottawa jusqu'au congrès nationale. » termine M. Hogg.
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Press Release
For Immediate Distribution

William Hogg comments on the resignation of Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

Sherbrooke (Lennoxville Borough), October 20, 2008. William Hogg, Liberal candidate in Compton-Stanstead during the fall 2008 elections, believes that the decision made this afternoon by Stéphane Dion to resign was a personal choice, made after a long period of reflection.

"During the election campaign, Mr. Dion showed that he and the Liberal Party of Canada continued, as always, to listen to Quebecers. His performance during the French leadership debate showed us his personal side." said Mr. Hogg. "Voters changed their attitudes towards our leader. They saw a man with principles, a man of conviction. A man of integrity and honesty. I am proud to have fought my first campaign under his leadership."

"This afternoon, M. Dion made a difficult choice, to resign as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. His decision was made after a long period of reflection, and, as such, is well founded. We must respect his choice." continues Mr. Hogg.

William Hogg sees the decision by Mr. Dion to stay on as Leader positively. "Mr. Dion will continue to bring us his valued leadership and experience until the leadership convention." concludes Mr. Hogg.
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