Posted on 11/05/2003 5:44:11 PM PST by jodorowsky
OTTAWA -- Paul Martin's Liberals may have found just what they're looking for. Pop superstar Bono is expected to be a marquee attraction at the party's convention next week, adding glitter to what has been a lacklustre leadership race.
The U2 frontman is expected to make a guest speech at an evening party at which Liberals will celebrate the coronation of Martin as the federal party leader.
The Irish rocker was wooed by the Martin campaign in an attempt to spice up the victory celebration his organizers expect to hold a week from Friday.
Bono's appearance would add star power to an event that is seen as such a foregone conclusion, the Liberal party has had trouble attracting delegates to attend.
A Martin campaign source, who did not want to be identified, said Bono was expected to appear and could speak to the thousands of Liberal delegates.
The prospect of Bono, with the trademark bug's-eye sunglasses, attending a partisan political event in Toronto is not as implausible as it sounds.
The Grammy-winning singer has met with Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Martin in the past.
Also on stage, despite reports to the contrary, will be Sheila Copps.
The heritage minister dismissed a media report she'll withdraw from the Liberal leadership race.
"That story came as a complete surprise to me and to my organizers," Copps said. "I'm still campaigning and I still expect to be there, not only for the speech, but also for the vote."
She was responding to a story by CanWest News Service that said she would drop out of the race Nov. 14 so delegates at the leadership convention won't have to hold a recorded vote.
It quoted an unidentified senior adviser saying Copps would step aside in the interests of party unity by endorsing Martin's coronation.
Meanwhile, Chretien continued to play a cat-and-mouse game yesterday about when he's going to retire, hinting he's already moving into his new Ottawa home.
"You, you will be disappointed because you will have nothing to write about tomorrow," Chretien joked.
He denied yesterday was his last cabinet meeting, though cabinet ministers presented him with the flag that was flying on the Peace Tower.
"I've announced to you, remember in August, that I was leaving later on -- and I came with a big agenda that I am almost completed," said Chretien.
"Some day I will go. No doubt about it. The apartment is bought, the furnitures are moving and I bought an extra toothbrush."
Later in the day, South African President Thabo Mbeki took the opportunity to thank Chretien for his support, though Chretien is scheduled to travel to Africa next month.
"He's an ignorant, arrogant fool. The epitome of the limousine liberal."
Sort of like Chicago decided to stay "Capone" for a while, yes.
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