[ssiguy]

prentice could have been a successor but unfortunately for him Harper knew it and this is why he was sent to the Ministry of Indian Affairs.............the graveyard of all portfolios. It's the no-win Ministry where both politicians are sent to die a slow death. Also after the incredibly sleazy manoeuver he made recently in Alberta by resigning his seat immediately lost the election in Alberta pissed off a lot of Albertans of all stripes and showed his complete antipathy towards his constituents, party, and the entire democratic process.

Oliver is a right off. He is offensive, unlikeable, and has the charisma of a cockroach. He is completely unelectable as a PM.

MacKay? Maybe but he had his kick at the can and decided to give Harper the leadership with his little note is scratched on the back of a napkin at the Conservative convention. He also proved himself to be pretty incompetent as Minister of both Defence and Justice and he carries with him a lot of baggage.

Jason Kenny seems to be the favorite but not because of him specifically but just that he's the best of a bad lot. Harper excelled at getting rid of any potential competition and anyone who was not a complete yes-man. It left him with complete control but consequently few with any star power.........the competent ranks to choose from in the Tory caucus are pretty thin.

Myself, Kenney will definitely try for the job but I wouldn't be surprised if Baird comes back from the shadows and throw his hat in the ring. Baird was actually quite competent, socially more centrist, and has fighting spirit that serves him well in the rough and tumble game of politics.