Conservative leadership

He’s the charismatic candidate who’s supposed to be most electable, carrying name recognition and the promise of centrist appeal. But some Conservatives are not without worries.

Philippe J. Fournier: Short of a massive first-ballot lead, Peter MacKay is vulnerable and, without support from social conservatives, could lose the leadership

Andrew MacDougall: While the world is shutting down to fight a pandemic, why is Peter MacKay plowing ahead with his Conservative leadership bid?

Andrew MacDougall: Fundraising emails, pledges to remove the carbon tax. The Conservative Party needs to rethink its leadership race amidst the coronavirus crisis.

Stephen Maher: Jason Kenney’s endorsement of Erin O’Toole is unusual, but could also deliver a powerful boost to a campaign already on the upswing

Philippe J. Fournier: Who is leading the party won’t matter as much as who can get the vote out in the next general election

Stephen Maher: Erin O’Toole is a well-respected, serious and thoughtful politician. But that’s not what will win over the Conservative base.

Andrew MacDougall: It wouldn’t be easy, but Baird’s entrance would give a stale Conservative leadership race the shakeup it so badly needs

Politics Insider for Feb 10: John Baird dances around the leadership question, Trudeau’s tricky African sojourn and the aftermath of Flight 752

William Pristanski has been a key MacKay backer and strategist. He was also one of the lobbyists seeking to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a criminal trial.