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And They’re Off… Way Off

Rating: NNNNN


With Mike Harris on the way out, here’s the lowdown on the favourites and the flakes who dream of carrying on the boss’s legacy of cuts and chaos.

Chris Hodgson Municipal affairs minister

Going for him: Harris clone.

Going against him: Not the sharpest knife in the Tory toolbox. Ipperwash.

View from our corner: Suddenly, Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty doesn’t look like a doofus.

Odds: 15-1. Too young.

Elizabeth Witmer Environment minister

Going for her: Low-key and capable. Former party president Peter Van Loan and former Harris staffer Rod Phillips.

Going against her: Not sellable as a provincial leader.

View from our corner: A fiscal conservative in Red Tory clothing.

Odds: 6-1. Needs to toughen up.

Jim Flaherty Finance minister

Going for him: Financier Steve Hudson and the money to make a serious run.

Going against him: Zero charisma.

View from our corner: We like this guy. Flaherty’s strong social conservatism ­– like tax breaks for private religious schooling ­– could ultimately be the party’s undoing.

Odds: 2-1. The 905’s fightin’ Irishman is the early front-runner.

Tony Clement Health minister

Going for him: Formidable on-the-ground organization. He’s half of a very connected Tory power couple ­– his wife, lawyer Lynne Golding, is a respected activist within the party.

Going against him: Time invested in the dysfunctional Alliance party has tarnished his cachet on the Harris team. Too hardline.

View from our corner: We love Clement. With the Tories hovering around 35 per cent in the polls, Clement’s trickle-down policies could finally lead the party into oblivion.

Odds: 3-1. His hardline fiscal message might just stick.

Chris Stockwell Labour minister

Going for him: Big ego. Big mouth. Good old boys think he’s a nice guy.

Going against him: Big ego. No significant support from cabinet. Money. Pulled no punches against his own party when he was speaker.

View from our corner: God help us.

Odds: 20-1. Really wants to raise his profile for a Toronto mayoral run.

Janet Ecker Education minister

Going for her: She can scrap ­– just ask the teachers.

Going against her: Money. Support for a moderate leader likely to go to Witmer first.

View from our corner: Could be dangerous if she pulls a Bill Davis.

Odds: 15-1. Too middle-of-the-road.

The Dark Horse – Tom Long Party strategist

Going for him: Architect of the Common Sense Revolution. Impeccable Tory connections.

Going against him: Never elected to anything. Failed bid to keep the Alliance out of Stockwell Day’s hands.

View from our corner: Our choice for leader ­– a fiscal conservative who will scare the bejesus out of voters.

Odds: 25-1. His moment has passed.

the long shot – Frank Klees MPP (Oak Ridges)

Going for him: Strong grassroots party support ­– especially among social conservatives.

Going against him: No money. No cabinet support.

View from our corner: Just like Stockwell Day, he’d be a blessing in disguise.

Odds: 30-1. The party’s not that desperate.

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