Nobody Hates Warren Kinsella

Warren is rejoicing because apparently "Michael Ignatieff now hates you nearly as much as he hates me!" For those of you just tuning in, Warren is happy because when he can write about how someone hates him - whether they do or not - he can make a big stink and everyone will pay attention.

And people do pay attention to him. He's about as important as a Canadian politico can get without having to delete their blog. But when he gets shuffled into Harper's cabinet, he'll have to give it up.

And Warren is good at his job. When it comes to going out and destroying people, I can't think of anyone better in the Canadian backrooms. I read his book "Kicking Ass," and while he borrows a lot from the Democrats, it's still an interesting read.

It is really easy to explain why Warren is happy to pick a fight with Michael. There's nobody left to destroy. Warren went after Preston Manning, and he went after Stockwell Day, and he went after Paul Martin; the schoolyard is empty now. Who to bully?

Opposition research, or 'OPPO,' is a necessary part of our political process. You've gotta say bad things about the other guy, sure. And when you're part of a team like Chretien's, it makes a lot of sense. You're being negative to help something positive.

But Team Chretien is gone now. Warren isn't picking on Michael to help a particular person (ostensibly); he's just picking on Michael. This is a totally different game. So let's just call this what it is; a consultant who trades on his notoriety is picking a fight with a strong candidate in the Liberal leadership. There is no evidence to suggest actual hatred. The term "hatred" is being used only to grab attention.

Let's not forget that Warren can come home. He was at LPCO, after all. It is only by choice that he is (cough) "Liberal in Exile;" furthermore, let's remember that he coined that phrase to explain why he wouldn't help Martin. Where is Martin now? What is this exile? It's Warren's excuse to not try and build something.

The Liberal leadership candidates don't have time to hate an outsider like Warren. They're too busy hating Stephen Harper and his inflationary tax policy and his detrimental environmental policy and David Emerson and Michael Fortier and the terrible softwood deal. They're too busy flying and bussing across Canada developing the future. They're too busy listening to Canadians. They don't have time to hate Warren Kinsella.

I for one think he's great. And I'm supporting Ignatieff. How can I manage this? Because I realize that Warren is just a talented political staffer. I can admire him and support Iggy - because I support his positive notion of what we should be building.

james.bowie@michaelignatieff.ca