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Bad boy fiddler Ashley MacIsaac wants to trade in performing for politics.
The 31-year-old, Juno-winning Cape Breton musician, notorious for his entertainment and real-life antics, plans to leap from the musical to the political stage with a run for the Liberal leadership. And he's not a bit nervous about the long-shot prospect of becoming prime minister.
"That's ultimately the plan," the recording artist told Sun Media.
"At this point, I'd be a crazy dark horse to pound my chest. But I don't see any reason not to say that I am serious and there's nobody in the face of this great country that Stephen Harper would prefer less to have to deal with on a day-to-day basis."
MacIsaac said he's a life-long Liberal who's pictured himself in Ottawa. The gay, Celtic-punk musician has written about trying to sell his beloved fiddle for crack and meeting the Queen while stoned, but said he's serious about uniting Liberals to fend off a potential rise in support for Quebec separatism.
"I'm very good at listening to how people want to move forward with things or I wouldn't have been able to continue to make records. That's how that business works," he said.
MacIsaac, whose album Pride is being released in the U.S. today, denied the political bid is a publicity stunt to sell his music. However, he acknowledged his celebrity status could give his campaign a boost, and said he's already brushing up on French and rallying support.
MacIsaac joins Ontario lawyer Martha Hall Findlay and Toronto MP John Godfrey as the first declared candidates for Liberal leader.
Findlay announced she was running in February, while Godfrey, 63, declared yesterday.
"I want (the Liberals) to be known as the party of environmental sustainability, but also sustainability in the largest sense: Economic, social, cultural," said Godfrey, describing himself as progressive.
Vancouver MP Hedy Fry said she intends to seek the leadership, providing she can raise the money to run. She said it's time for a female PM from B.C., but is also prepared to lead the party in opposition.
"I think a leader must be somebody who has had strong roots in the party and who understands what it means to be a Liberal and how to translate that into the 21st century," she said.
Fry said the party has "drifted" for too long and that it needs time to rebuild so that it stands for something "clear and strong."
Denis Coderre is wrapping up his executive MBA and will decide on a potential bid in coming weeks. He said his experience as a cabinet minister would make him a strong candidate, and he's confident the Grits can earn back voter support.
"We have all the tools and ingredients to get back to power but this is not a property right, this is a rite of passage," he said.
"We had a message from the last election -- we've been paying for our arrogance. We've been in the penalty box and now we need to find a way to prove to Canadians that we've earned their trust."
Harvard academic and rookie MP Michael Ignatieff said he will be making his decision on whether to run for leader within 10 days.
-- With files from CP
THE MACISAAC FILE
Born Feb. 24, 1975, in Antigonish, N.S. Took up the fiddle at age 9.
- Albums: Close To The Floor (1992)
Hi! How Are You Today? ('95)
Fine! Thank You Very Much ('98)
Helter's Celtic ('99)
Ashley MacIsaac ('03)
Pride (released in U.S. today)
- Memorable moments: Performed in a kilt on Late Night With Conan O'Brien in 1997 and exposed more than his fiddle.
Hurled obscenities during a 1999 New Year's Eve gig in Halifax. Filed for bankruptcy four months later.