Friday, January 20, 2006

McKenna on the move!

Well, well, well, we have our first potential confirmed candidate! Mr. McKenna, [who perhaps read that he was the Next Face odds on favorite], resigned his post in Washington tonight and tried to build on the momentum that we have created here in our little blog. It seems that Next Face is both read and revered by at least one of the three favoured candidates.


His resignation letter is reproduced below :

501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
January 24, 2006
Mr. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister Elect
c/o The Conservative Party of Canada
1720 - 130 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON
CANADA K1P 5G4

Dear Mr. Harper,
I want to extend sincere congratulations on your success in today's election.
It was a hard-fought campaign and you have received a very significant vote of confidence from the Canadian public. I know the feeling of exhilaration when the people express confidence in your leadership and vision.
It has been a great privilege for me to serve as Canada's Ambassador to the United States throughout the past year. I was most grateful for your personal support and that of your Party during my Committee Hearing on the Appointment. It has also been a tremendous personal satisfaction to have been able to serve with the outstanding men and women of this Embassy and Consulates across the United States of America. Canadians may not fully appreciate the strength and commitment of these dedicated public servants who serve our country so proudly.
I've always placed great value on the importance of the Canada-U.S. relationship, and, in a short period of time, have learned much about how this critical link can be improved and expanded. In that regard, I would be pleased to offer my full co-operation in sharing insights on management of the many significant and crucial issues that we deal with on a daily basis.
However, I believe you would agree that the enormous value of a political appointment to this position is based on the ability to work intimately with the Canadian Government. It is this perception of closeness that provides a strong platform for the Canadian Ambassador to advance Canada's interest.
While I would have no difficulty working with you or your Government, it would be virtually impossible to establish the appearance of total confidence and support in a jurisdiction where political Ambassadorial appointees traditionally resign immediately after an election.
Consequently, it is in the best interest of our nation that I submit to you my resignation as Canada's Ambassador to the United States. I would be pleased to continue to serve until such time as a replacement is named or, I could depart more expeditiously if it is your wish.

With warmest personal regards and best wishes for a productive mandate.

Sincerely,
Frank McKenna
Ambassador

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could you add other candidates like Llyod Axworthy?

Anonymous said...

No.

At this time we are suggesting that only the three posted - Ignatieff, McKenna, and Dryden - are worthy of mention and are likely to succeed.

Having said that we are currently developing a 'dark horse' list of 2 or 3 more candidates that would have odds posted alongside their names. Mr. Axworthy will be mentioned in www.nextface.blogspot.com when one of two things happen:
1. He enrolls in speech therapy classes, or
2. We create a list of 'very very' dark horses to borrow a phrase from our former Prime Minister.

Anonymous said...

We are also considering Ms Sheila Copps who may deserve mention for no other reason than for the treatment she received at the hands of Mr. Martin.