He’s the charismatic candidate who’s supposed to be most electable, carrying name recognition and the promise of centrist appeal. But some Conservatives are not without worries.
Philippe J. Fournier: Short of a massive first-ballot lead, Peter MacKay is vulnerable and, without support from social conservatives, could lose the leadership
Andrew MacDougall: While the world is shutting down to fight a pandemic, why is Peter MacKay plowing ahead with his Conservative leadership bid?
Andrew MacDougall: Fundraising emails, pledges to remove the carbon tax. The Conservative Party needs to rethink its leadership race amidst the coronavirus crisis.
Stephen Maher: Jason Kenney’s endorsement of Erin O’Toole is unusual, but could also deliver a powerful boost to a campaign already on the upswing
Philippe J. Fournier: Who is leading the party won’t matter as much as who can get the vote out in the next general election
Stephen Maher: Erin O’Toole is a well-respected, serious and thoughtful politician. But that’s not what will win over the Conservative base.
Andrew MacDougall: It wouldn’t be easy, but Baird’s entrance would give a stale Conservative leadership race the shakeup it so badly needs
Politics Insider for Feb 10: John Baird dances around the leadership question, Trudeau’s tricky African sojourn and the aftermath of Flight 752
William Pristanski has been a key MacKay backer and strategist. He was also one of the lobbyists seeking to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a criminal trial.
The organized SoCon wing looms large over the Tory leadership race. A new report suggests it would tolerate a moderate leader.
Philippe J. Fournier: A new Léger poll shows Canadians favour a bilingual leader—and without one the Conservatives could face a crushing defeat