It’s hard to tell if it’s an official announcement, but with Gerard Kennedy quitting his job as Ontario Education Minister today, I think we can add a third name to the confirmed candidate list. And Bob Rae took the equally daunting task of buying a Liberal membership today. If that isn’t dedication to the Liberal Party, I don’t know what is.

From the sound of things, Michael Ignatieff and Stephane Dion will be joining the list of declared candidates on Friday, with most of the others to follow shortly thereafter.

While it’s foolish to handicap a race that will go at least four ballots, I think it’s a safe bet that anyone from Dion, Dryden, Kennedy, Ignatieff, or Brison could win this thing. Stronach and Rae will do well but I just can’t see any growth potential for them after the first ballot.