THE RETURN OF TOM RIDEOUT

There has been some buzz in the local media and on a few blogs with regard to former Fisheries Minister and Deputy Premier Tom Rideout running as a Conservative Candidate in the upcoming General Election.

This seems to be creating some excitement for the Danny haters, who think this might bring some heavy hitting to the contest and lead to some sharp exchanges between the two former allies.

From my perspective Tom Rideout would only further destroy his reputation by becoming a tool of the federal Conservatives. A Rideout run in either of the St. John's seats would be a play for future consideration by the Conservatives for some cozy appointment if they were to retain power in the future. It would be deemed self-serving.

Rideout was spurned by St. John's in 1989. That was the year he assumed the mantle of leadership from Brian Peckford. It was also the year that many seats in the St. John's area rejected him and the Liberal party won the government. Rideout won the popular vote but St. John's denied him his victory. Not much has changed. Despite his many accomplishments since his short stint as Premier, he does not have a huge personal following.

Rideout has no political roots in St. John's. He would face the same problem as chicken Hearn. The supply of Progressive Conservative polling captains, canvassers and volunteers has all but dried up. The debacle which led to his resignation as Minister of Fisheries and his eventual departure from the House of Assembly has left him with few friends in caucus. Even fewer in the cabinet. Considering that the PC machinery in St. John's - Mount Pearl is dominated by the Osbornes, Dave Denine, Shawn Skinner and Diane Whelan, the chances of finding some assistance is nil to none.

There is one possible route of political redemption for Rideout. He could run as an independent or federal Progresive Conservative in Burin-St. George's where his former provincial colleague Bill Matthews is retiring. It is a fairly safe Liberal seat but has been known to swing. The New Democrats placed second in the previous election and in the election prior to that an Independent placed second. That would set the stage for some interesting positioning. The ABCD crowd would have a way to vent, provide a viable option to the Liberals and create some excitement. Given a choice between Tom Rideout, a former party leader and Premier or Judy Foote, a liberal nemisis, Tom might be just what the doctor ordered!