The disclosure of Jean Chrétien’s behind-the-scenes lobbying in support of MP Bob Rae’s Liberal leadership ambitions follows suggestions by both of them that the Liberal Party should not rule out a merger with the NDP.

PARLIAMENT HILL—Former prime minister Jean Chrétien telephoned Liberal MPs who survived the May 2 Grit election massacre to seek support for Toronto MP Bob Rae as the party’s interim leader—signalling at the same time that Mr. Rae intends eventually to enter the race to become the party’s permanent leader.
The disclosure of Jean Chrétien’s behind-the-scenes lobbying in support of MP Bob Rae’s Liberal leadership ambitions follows suggestions by both of them that the Liberal Party should not rule out a merger with the NDP.

PARLIAMENT HILL—Former prime minister Jean Chrétien telephoned Liberal MPs who survived the May 2 Grit election massacre to seek support for Toronto MP Bob Rae as the party’s interim leader—signalling at the same time that Mr. Rae intends eventually to enter the race to become the party’s permanent leader.