The judgement of the party is clear. He can go down in flames kicking and screaming or go down with dignity.

It's not enough to thumb your nose at the rest of the country (and) to say 'in 1980 it was like this,' .

He's pre-empting any opponents by saying he's already leaving.

If George Bush can't get along with Stephen Harper, he can't get along with any world leader. They're ideological cousins, if not twins.

Nobody needs to be holding a raffle for Anne. With a resume like hers, she can write her own ticket.

The storm clouds had been building. Mr. Klein is a great reader of the political signs and he must have known in his heart it was time to go. He has a chance to go out on his own steam or be pushed out.

And there's the Manning name.

Whoever wants to push him out would embarrass themselves.

All of that was a toxic political brew and ultimately it exploded in his face.