What's Next?

With the death of popular NDP leader Jack Layton, one can't but wonder what will be next for the Loyal Opposition in the House of Commons.

With a gang of little known MP's riding around, it's hard to say what the new focus will be. Stay strong in Quebec? Strengthen ties out West? Try to make headway in vote-rich Ontario?

Whoa, slow down.

There's no reason for these folks to rush things. And they shouldn't.

Right now, the NDP without Jack Layton are a little like the NFL's Indianapolis Colts without Payton Manning. With him, they are perennial Superbowl contenders, but without him, they are merely a bunch of role players without common direction.

My suggestion? Take a page from sports marketing guru's. When your favourite team isn't doing well, you market one player (someone who's under contract, and is palatable to consumers) and you sell the fans on their past glory.

The NDP should select a leader who is palatable to consumers, er voters, and sell them everything Jack said in the past.

Think that's preposterous, or morbid?

The NDP have been quoting Tommy Douglas ad nauseum for years. And he's been dead since 1986.

As far as who the leader should be, I don't really know. I mean, I couldn't pick Nycole Turmel out of a lineup if I tried. Thomas Mulcair is equally as qualified and easily as forgettable.

But don't get discouraged New Democrats, you have 3-and-a-half years to find someone who is as likeable and has as much clout as Jack Layton had.

Should be easy enough. Ask the Liberals.