http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/kevi...nier-1.4086583
This is as close as it's getting anywhere in the world to installing a libertarian in charge of a major political party. I can't tell you how excited I am and I received my ballot today! The vote in person is on May 26-27.
Kevin O'Leary is dropping out of the Conservative leadership race and will endorse Maxime Bernier.The businessman and reality TV star is ending his campaign only hours before the last leadership debate in Toronto, and two days before party members can start casting their votes. O'Leary's name will remain on the ballots as they've already been printed and mailed, the party said Wednesday.
O'Leary and Bernier are holding a press conference in Toronto to discuss the developments. CBCNews.ca will carry it live.
O'Leary said Wednesday he was confident he could win the Conservative race, but raised doubts we could defeat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the next election. He cited his failure to gain traction in Quebec and his poor French-language skills as reasons for dropping out of the leadership race.
"The Liberals politically own Quebec. Without growing the Conservative base in Quebec, beating Trudeau in 2019 would be a huge challenge," he said in a statement sent to reporters.
- Watch tonight's Conservative leadership debate
- 259,010 eligible to vote in Conservative leadership race
- Conservative rivals O'Toole, Leitch following divergent paths
- Bernier, O'Leary still have edge in Conservative race
Kevin O'Leary, left, is dropping out of the Conservative leadership race and will back Maxime Bernier instead. (Canadian Press)
"I have extremely high likelihood of winning the leadership race, but no way to win the election because of Quebec," he added in an interview with the Globe and Mail. "You have to win 30 seats. So, who can do that? It's Bernier."
"He's a front-runner," O'Leary said. "I like Max. I can work with him."
'Worked like hell'
O'Leary told reporters he has "worked like hell on this campaign."
"This was not an easy decision for me to make but after much thought and deliberation, it is the right one for the Conservative Party and the country," he said. "I want the DNA of my policies and objectives to survive into the general election. The candidate that best mirrors my policies is Maxime Bernier."
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