Well let's not count the chicks before they're hatched Mr. Kaplan.  After all even a scholar like you should know this. But why are there so many candidates with such a divergent set of views in the Conservative party? Why? Because this party is the only one that doesn't silence opposing views with political correctness and calling others racists - that's why.  People, this is what democracy is about.  Compared to this race, the liberal leadership races have always been canonization events. Let's just hope a leader that is palatable to Canadians is selected and can beat the liberals who have no new ideas.  Oh wait, they decided to keep the FPTP system afterall.