It's about the future.
I've managed to stay out of active politics for nearly a year, but I think I'm about to fall off the wagon again. It's all Bob Rae's fault.

Last night, I went to a party where he was the guest of honour. Until then, I'd forgotten how much I like the man in person. He's got that magic combination of geekiness and moral integrity that I do adore in a politician. And he's at where I'm at on so many issues, like Afghanistan, economic policy and rebuilding the Liberal Party. I think I've been converted.

Yeah, I know. The last thing the Party needs is to add the baggage of the Rae government to its own. But c'mon, haven't you always wondered what Bob could have done if he didn't have to govern through a recession and he had enough decent cabinet ministers and a platform that was actually meant to be implemented? (Okay, probably not. But you should.)

The thing I like about Bob Rae is that he knows his policy. When you hear him answer questions, you can tell that he hasn't just memorized the talking points, he's actually read the research on which they were based. When he disagrees with someone, he can explain exactly how and why he arrived at his position.

The other thing I like about Bob Rae is that he has the political skills that only come from years of practice. He's mastered soundbyte haiku. He knows that some questions don't have answers and some answers aren't his to give. He also words his answers in such a way that he never repeats negative allegations about himself. Those moves are harder to learn than they look. It takes most party leaders, even former cabinet ministers, a couple of years of on-the-job training to become adept at them. We're not going to have that kind of time before the next election. A leader who's already broken in would be a huge asset.

I know this is such an insane choice. The Conservatives are probably rubbing their hands at the prospect of exhuming all their old oppo on Bob Rae. But sometimes I think you just have to be Quixotic and hope that the rest of the country comes to see things your way. How could I complain that the public never elects the candidate I like best, if I never give them the opportunity to vote for him?