[RCO]

( more bad news for iggy , star candidate and former CHCH tv personality Dan Mclean has quit as liberal candidate for Ancaster Dundas Flamborough in a surprising move as he had been nominated for almost a year now )

Star candidate McLean resigns as Liberal candidate in ADFW

By Kevin Werner, News Staff

News
Jun 10, 2010


A Hamilton Liberal riding official says there is no ulterior reason for their star candidate, Dan McLean, resigning earlier this week as a federal candidate.
“It’s not a health issue, neither is it domestic,” said Ralph Wilson, vice-president for the Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale federal Liberal riding association. “And he is not running for mayor of Hamilton. It is a personal issue.”

After a series of meetings with family and Liberal riding officials over the weekend, McLean, 62, a popular, former television anchor at CH News for 28 years, sent a letter of resignation to the riding association June 7. Wilson said the resignation was not a surprise to the association after talking with McLean.

“He is a close friend and a quality candidate,” said Wilson, who has assisted McLean over the last year. “His heart was in it. Dan solidified our relationships with other area ridings and he had an impact on the party’s platform. He will be missed.”

In a June 7 letter sent to Liberal members, McLean states he leaves behind a stronger party, and efficient organization. He emphasized he remains supportive of the Liberal Party and its leader Michael Ignatieff

“This was a very tough decision — perhaps one of the toughest I’ve ever had to make, but please be assured that my stepping aside is entirely for personal reasons,” states McLean, a Lynden resident.

Quash speculation Wilson attempted to quash any speculation McLean is getting out of federal politics for a better shot at local politics.

“He is not a mayoral candidate,” said Wilson. “He was focused on representing Hamilton in Ottawa. He had an agenda that would have helped the city.”

Wilson indicated the constant election readiness as the federal parties jockey for position in Ottawa may have contributed to McLean’s decision. As evidence, there is again talk that Canada could have a federal election this fall. It’s a tough situation for a federal candidate to be in, especially one whose party doesn’t represent the riding, he said.

“There was a lot of crying wolf,” said Wilson. “It’s very difficult for a novice candidate to get into election mode. It’s not our call (to hold an election). It’s (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper’s call.”

McLean, who became the riding’s candidate in August 2009, was viewed by the party as its best chance to upset incumbent MP David Sweet. The Conservative MP overwhelmed the Liberal’s previously two candidates, Arlene MacFarlane VanderBeek and current Dundas Councillor Russ Powers in the last two previous federal elections.

“We were thrilled to have Dan at the outset,” said Wilson. “In the last election this riding, which has traditionally a tremendous voter turnout, stayed home. He is so well known in the community.”

Wilson said the association will start to search for a replacement candidate immediately. He said even though McLean is gone, he will still help the party, including providing advice on the candidate search.

“There are all kinds of potential candidates out there,” he said.


http://www.ancasternews.com/news/article/212356

[Daveeire]

The longer the current House lasts, the better. Redistribution will be done soon so anybody already nominated will have to win a new nomination based on the new riding boundaries. This scenario will be harder on Liberals than the CPC as sitting MP's tend to be favoured by party rules - something I don' mind in most cases. The Leadership can deal with any duds if the need arises.