Dion is a fine man in many respects, and he might have made a good prime minister at another period, but I think we've had enough time and events to judge that he lacks the abilities and instincts required just now in Canada.
He frankly looks bad in the hot, ugly breath of Harper whose top skill is being scornful and dismissive. The reputation and decency and security of our nation require that Harper go. He is an unfortunate carbuncle on Canada's back side.
But I do not believe Dion is up to the challenge. God, Chretien would have taken Harper apart.
The carbon tax is going to be a mill stone Dion drags around, and I believe it will closely parallel in its political effect John Tory's insistence on financing all religious schools, a proposal that seemed an obvious loser the moment I heard it. And John Tory is an admirable man.
It will be hard to explain a carbon tax to ordinary Canadians. And complexity is the last thing a man who can barely speak English needs.
Besides, in excluding motor fuels, he is already being inconsistent.
The experience in Europe shows that carbon tax is not an especially effective policy. Cap-and-trade is a much effective approach.
The public has already lost a good deal of confidence in the Liberals, pathetically supporting bills out of keeping with Liberal traditions just to avoid an election. And why avoid an election? To give Dion more time for intensive English lessons.
Altogether, a bad political patch.
