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Federal Liberals pay tribute to Bob Rae: one of “the greatest leaders” in party history

Where would the Liberal Party of Canada be without Bob Rae?

Say what you want about his record as Ontario NDP premier; call him a turncoat if you'd like. But if Bob Rae didn't step-in as interim leader after the 2011 election — which decimated the party at the polls — would they still be relevant today in 2013?

Many a Liberal is glad that they didn't have to find that out.

On Saturday, the party kicked-off their National Leadership Showcase with a tribute to their outgoing leader.

[ Related: How the federal Liberals will elect their new leader ]

The tributes included a speech from former prime minister Paul Martin and video segments featuring John Turner and Jean Chretien. The video presentation also included a clip of Rae skinny dipping on the Rick Mercer Report -- maybe we didn't need to see that again.

[ Related: What is Bob Rae's legacy? ]

In an interview with Yahoo! Canada News, Liberal president Mike Crawley said that the party owes Rae a great debt of gratitude.

"Mr. Rae came on at an absolutely critical moment in the party's history. It was the most challenging moment for the party," Crawley said.

"I can say that no one else could have brought the leadership, the inspiration, the drive, the determination the party needed.

"So despite the fact that he was only here for two years, he will go down in history as one of the greatest leaders of the Liberal Party of Canada."

Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett said that Rae was critical in rebuilding party.

"It's been amazing the leadership of Bob Rae has been able to do," she said.

"He's been strong and clear about what we got to make this important institution in Canada as strong as it could possibly be. We're very grateful."

As for Rae, he told Yahoo! that he has no regrets and that he's happy that the party is moving forward.

In his address to the crowd, the 64 year old said that the Liberal Party's road to success includes hard work and party unity.

"I've always thought that the most difficult times in our history, that is to say the results of the last election, that was a time for the party to discover yet again why we are Liberals," Rae said.

"We are Liberals because we believe in the importance of freedom and dignity for everyone. We are Liberals because we understand that the empathy, support, of others...gives us the opportunity to realize the potential of our lives."

"Our country...needs us, needs the Liberal Party," he said.

Rae intends to stay on as the MP for Toronto-Centre at least until the next election in 2015.

(Photo courtesy of Reuters)

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