Liberal caucus picks Bob Rae as interim leader

Bob Rae has been chosen as interim leader of the devastated federal Liberal party.

The much-diminished Liberal caucus tapped the Toronto MP today to take on the daunting task of rebuilding their once-mighty party until a permanent successor to Michael Ignatieff is selected.

The high-profile, former NDP premier of Ontario was chosen over Marc Garneau, a Montreal MP and one-time astronaut.

“The people of Canada gave the Liberal party a very clear and tough message in the last election,” Rae said. “It’s a message that we have received and understood.

“We know that we have a lot of rebuilding to do. We know that we have a lot of work to do.”

Rae had to give up his long-term leadership ambitions to take the interim post.

The party’s national board of directors — which hopes to postpone a vote for permanent leader for 18 to 22 months — quickly ratified Rae’s appointment after the caucus vote.

Ignatieff resigned after leading the party to its worst defeat in history in the May 2 election.

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