Don't Underestimate Duceppe Published in the National Post 15 June 2005

It surprises me how much today's editorials misapprehend Gilles Duceppe's decision not to lead the PQ. Clearly, a leadership race at the national and provincial levels (with a looming federal election) will scatter sovereigntist forces, which makes Duceppe's decision sound strategy.

More important, however, is the misunderstanding of Gilles Duceppe and the sovereignty movement that these editorials reflect. Unlike other leaders of the opposition, Duceppe has made very thoughtful decisions about how to manage best his party's future, and this decision is just one more example.

Maybe it's his Maoist background, but Duceppe is a more disciplined politician and a more strategic thinker than much of the BQ/PQ leadership has been in the past. And in fact, slow, steady positioning and growth is what the sovereignty movement needs to ease the rest of Canada into the thought of a separate Quebec.