The main leadership news from over the weekend is that Gerard Kennedy is musing about running in Western Canada next election. I for one think this is a gutsy move on Kennedy’s part and good news for the Liberal Party. Yes, he has what should be an easily winnable seat in Parkdale ready for him, but the Liberal Party needs to reach out to Western Canada and this would be a small step in the right direction. The mind frame among many Liberals that this party should write off the 125 ridings outside of Ontario and Quebec is self-destructive and I think there are as many seats to be picked up in the West as in Quebec.

Now, speculation will obviously turn to what riding Gerard should run in. BC makes the most electoral sense but I think Manitoba or Alberta would be better choices due to Gerard’s roots in those provinces. Running in Vancouver (say, in Emerson’s riding) might lead to more “parachute candidate” complaints and comparisons to John Turner.

Here’s a look at some possible ridings:

Winnipeg South: While there are, quite literally, big shoes to fill in this riding, Rod Bruinooge’s 110 vote win certainly makes this riding a good bet to return to the Liberals in the future.

Winnipeg South Centre: Anita Neville is 63 so I wouldn’t consider her a sure bet to run again.

Charleswood-St.James-yada yada: Glen Murray had a tough time here in 2004 so another parachute star candidate might not be the wisest move.

Edmonton Centre: This one would obviously be contingent on Anne McLellan not running. The riding has shown a willingness to elect a Liberal heavy hitter time and time again. On the downside, Anne was beloved in the riding and still lost last election.

Edmonton Strathcona: The Liberals only got 18% in Strathcona last election, but Jaffer never wins it with more than 41 or 42% of the vote. This University riding has always had the potential to go Liberal or NDP if either party ran a strong candidate and Kennedy is certainly an individual who could appeal to NDP voters. But like Edmonton Centre, this one would be very difficult to win unless Kennedy was the party leader.

Crowfoot: This riding is ripe for the taking! A mere 800% increase in the Liberal vote and we’d be competitive here!