Peterson Slams Rae as Liberal Tourist

Former Ontario Premier David Peterson slammed Bob Rae for his liberal leadership aspirations.

"Here's a guy, a lot of people went to war with him and now he wants to lead the army without even enlisting."

But Peterson, who's expected to back rookie MP Michael Ignatieff's candidacy, warned that Rae has "got some terrible burdens to overcome."

"One is his record and one is his loyalty."

Peterson insisted he doesn't hold any personal grudge against Rae but is simply being realistic about the reception he'll get from Liberal militants who've given blood for the party through good and bad times.

"It's so obvious. Everybody's talking about it . . . It's a helluva high hill to climb."

Party politics "is tribal and it's primordial and it's based on trust and affection and shared experiences," Peterson observed.

"Some people would say you just can't pick the cherries off the top."

So, who is Gerard Kennedy? The Globe asks the question as well.

Duelling PhDs Ignatieff and Dion will formally launch their campaigns tomorrow.