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Allan Rock's Liberal Frolics In Pursuit Of Leadership

It is no secret that Allan Rock is planning to run for the leadership of the Liberal party once Prime Minister Chrétien has abdicated.

Mr. Rock, however, faces strong competition in this regard, from two other leadership candidates, Paul Martin, Minister of Finance and Mr. Chrétien's heir apparent, Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry.

Mr. Martin has worked hard to carefully carve out support for himself from the conservative wing of the Liberal party. Mr. Tobin, on the other hand, is a pork barrel politician of the old school, fine tuning his technique at the knee of his master, Prime Minister Chrétien. According to Chrétien's technique, largesse and patronage are granted to friends and supporters, to ensure unswerving loyalty, and money is no object when buying this support. Mr. Tobin's dexterity in this regard is especially useful in the economically depressed Atlantic provinces.

The efforts of Mr. Martin and Mr. Tobin left Mr. Rock stranded on uncertain ground, searching for a place in the sun where he could plant his flag, i.e. his own territory. Judging by his recent actions, however, it seems that he has now found the comfortable ground he needed.

It is no secret that Allan Rock is planning to run for the leadership of the Liberal party once Prime Minister Chrétien has abdicated.

Mr. Rock, however, faces strong competition in this regard, from two other leadership candidates, Paul Martin, Minister of Finance and Mr. Chrétien's heir apparent, Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry.

Mr. Martin has worked hard to carefully carve out support for himself from the conservative wing of the Liberal party. Mr. Tobin, on the other hand, is a pork barrel politician of the old school, fine tuning his technique at the knee of his master, Prime Minister Chrétien. According to Chrétien's technique, largesse and patronage are granted to friends and supporters, to ensure unswerving loyalty, and money is no object when buying this support. Mr. Tobin's dexterity in this regard is especially useful in the economically depressed Atlantic provinces.

The efforts of Mr. Martin and Mr. Tobin left Mr. Rock stranded on uncertain ground, searching for a place in the sun where he could plant his flag, i.e. his own territory. Judging by his recent actions, however, it seems that he has now found the comfortable ground he needed.

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