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Bob Rae's last caucus day as Liberal leader

Cheers, ovations, scrums and emoticons salute Liberal MP

Storified by Maclean's Magazine· Wed, Mar 27 2013 15:49:36

Bob Rae spent his last caucus day on Parliament Hill on Wednesday where he was man of the hour and star of QP.

The soon-to-be former interim leader says he's leaving the Liberals in better shape than they were when he arrived.

Asked what comes next, he quipped, "I'm not going to be Crazy Uncle Bob, coming down from the attic to give a speech to the youngsters."

Here's how Rae's day played on Twitter:

Last caucus, last QP as interim leader... a day of mixed emotions...Bob Rae

Photo of 30-year-old Bob Rae on his first day in the HoC back in 1978. Cue Green Day's Time of Your Life. <a href="http://t.co/kgXDVsTwN4" class="">pic.twitter.com/kgXDVsTwN4</a>Tristin Hopper

Derniere journee comme chef dans la chambre et dans le caucus - merci pour l'opportunite de servir #cdnpoliBob Rae

Sat in @bobraeMP seat on his last day as interim leader! #bittersweet #forum4yc <a href="http://t.co/nvFGrfrE7s" class="">pic.twitter.com/nvFGrfrE7s</a>Maeve

#cdnpoli "friend of bob" button as liberal mps and staff mark bob rae's last caucus meeting <a href="http://t.co/Pbowh11TJI" class="">pic.twitter.com/Pbowh11TJI</a>chris rands

@BobRae Thank you, thank you, thank you sir!albertarabbit

50 shades of Rae. Welcome to the @Liberal_Party. #LPC @BobRaeMP <a href="http://t.co/yLx5Y0hHM1" class="">pic.twitter.com/yLx5Y0hHM1</a>Shane Mackenzie

Huge #lpc crowd gathered in Hall of Honour to thank @bobraeMP for service as interim leader. #cdnpoli <a href="http://t.co/BGtu858ZTS" class="">pic.twitter.com/BGtu858ZTS</a>Susan Delacourt

LPC staff and caucus give bob rae a last hurrah for his final caucus meeting as interim leader. <a href="http://t.co/7ilhhQwQDY" class="">yfrog.com/hstmphzmj</a>Jessica Murphy

Bob Rae's last press conference as Interim leader of the Liberal party #cdnpoli <a href="http://t.co/piL2r3M6WG" class="">pic.twitter.com/piL2r3M6WG</a>Mike Le Couteur

I am going to miss Bob Rae terrorizing journalists by blithely refusing to suffer foolishness kindly. #hwkady o'malley

Dernier jour où Bob Rae est aux Communes comme chef du PLC. Nouveau chef après pause parlementaire qui vient #polcan <a href="http://t.co/UPg3wrkWls" class="">pic.twitter.com/UPg3wrkWls</a>Martin Bégin

Rae on his next role "I'm not going to be crazy uncle Bob coming down from the attic to give a speech to the youngsters" #cdnpoliMike Le Couteur

Bob Rae: "It's true. I've now been a rising star in five separate decades."Paul McLeod

WHAT? Rae *isn't* going to be 'crazy Uncle Bob'? But that's the best part of his quintessential Bobness! #hwkady o'malley

Bob Rae gets an ovation from Lib MPs and staff in Rotunda. Tomorrow last day as interim leader. <a href="http://t.co/L8ONmSNxDo" class="">yfrog.com/oeeq7oij</a>John Ivison

Bob Rae will remain an MP after stepping down as interim liberal leader. #cdnpoliSharon Musgrave

Political watchers had praise for the interim leader's style, etc.:

I'm going to miss Bob Rae. Never has notes, talks on the fly, devastating quips. #QPSheik Yurbouti

Bob Rae is the Betty White of Question Period.Greg MacEachern

Bob Rae has proven that real statesmanship is still possible in politics. MT @bobraeMP: Last caucus, last QP as interim leader...Roland Paris

Fellow MPs tweeted good wishes and winky-smiley faced emoticons, as all sides of the House stood to applaud Rae when he spoke during Question Period.

Stephen Harper applauds Bob Rae's service to Parliamentmacleansmagazine

Thank you @bobraeMP for your leadership, commitment and outstanding contribution to the #LPC. You can thank him too: <a href="http://t.co/jg1EC4aXmJ" class="">bit.ly/JT-BobE</a>Justin Trudeau, MP

Thanks @bobraeMP You are truly a Great Canadian. <a href="http://t.co/an4ya7Ssdv" class="">bit.ly/YTHoO0</a> #cdnpoli #LPCRodger Cuzner

Bob Rae's poltical career has spanned 5 separate decades. He had all the highs & lows but still earned the respect of his peers. Thanks Bob.Paul Szabo xmp

In HofC-QP, galleries are fuller than I've seen in a long time - here to salute @bobraemp's final day in Parl as LibLeader #cdnpoliRalph Goodale

@PMHarper thanks @bobraeMP for bringing his intellect, his patriotism and his tenacity to the #HoC." #cdnpoli #sayinggoodbyeJoan Crockatt MP

House of Commons: today is Bob Rae's last day in Commons as Liberal interim leader. Anyone who can should watch this real leader in action.Wayne Easter

Cheers across the benches for @bobraeMP in honour of his last #QP as leader of the #lpc (in a good way #tweeps, sheesh! ;-)). All the best.Michelle Rempel, MP

Nice standing ovation in the #HOC today for @bobraeMP for his last set of questions as Interim Leader of the Liberal Party.Brad Butt

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