Will Justin Trudeau run for the Liberal leadership? Should he?

I suspect Trudeau is under a lot of pressure to run. And superficially at least he has a lot going for him: He has charisma, he's a media darling, he's young, he's from Quebec and of course, he has that magic last name. So he both represents the future and continuity with the Liberal Party's past.

I don't think he should run. He lacks discipline; he's a loose cannon, prone to verbal gaffes. The Liberals need somebody who can do the unexciting, but necessary, tasks of restructuring the party from the grassroots up. Trudeau is not that guy. And finally, Trudeau is just too left wing. The party needs to woo back the "Blue" Liberals if they are to return to their days of glory. Trudeau will scare the Blues into the Tory camp.

Maybe, but the real question is can he beat Harper?

Of course, I have no idea. But I would imagine that the pressure on him to run has increased a great deal since last year's meltdown for the party.

I thought Trudeau's [initial] decision was the right one - ie: not to run - for a number of reasons. First, experience - people are making this play for his campaign for incredibly cynical reasons: he's young, attractive, and has the Trudeau name. The fact is, genuine leadership requires more than this, and he is still largely untested. Second, we must resist the dynastic form of politics that puts famous names above everyone else - it undemocratic and egalitarian.

Both have strong limitations. Rae is still unpopular in a great deal of Ontario while the Trudeau brand won't go down well in the West.

Yes for the following reasons:

- I think his ego is such that it will prove to hard to resist a run.
- Anti-Rae forces have to rally around someone and he has a revered name amongst Liberals.
- The Liberals have a pressing need to make a generational change and that starts in the senior ranks and leadership position.
- I think he will be under a lot of pressure from the anti-Rae forces and those wanting generational change.
- I have been associated with politics far too long to accept at face value a politician's claim that they won't run. Far too often they are waiting for others to rally and pressure them to run.

As a Conservative I hope he runs, but to be fair to the man, I think he should sit this one out. It is a bit to early for him. He needs more experience, especially on the team-building front and with being a team player.

That type of split would be hugely divisive. I think Rae would take it as I don't think their MPs and the rank and file are ready yet for that generational shift that they need.