Self-focused

Once again, the federal Greens are in the news - this time over the resignation of David Chernushenko as the party's senior deputy. And once again, it's hard to see how Elizabeth May's reaction could reflect much worse on her as a leader:

Ms. May, reached in Nova Scotia where she is challenging Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay in his Central Nova riding for the next election, reacted calmly to Mr. Chernushenko's comments. She acknowledged she does play a large role in the party, but insisted it is not affecting her health. She acknowledged she has dominated news coverage, but added the Green party has "a strong team," and sharing media attention is "always the struggle when you have a high-profile leader."

I'll grant that it's understandable that May felt a need to start the damage control fairly quickly, particularly when Chernushenko wasn't the only high-ranking official expressing concerns about May's management style.

But it's nonetheless remarkable that May apparently went directly into a defensive mode rather than even mentioning Chernushenko's departure - either based on his history as a relatively high-profile candidate, her main competitor for the leadership, and a much-trumpeted federal appointment to an advisory panel just last year, or even based on the possibility that he might return as a candidate in the future. And May's complete unwillingness to discuss anything but herself has to leave other Greens wondering whether any of their own contributions or efforts will be recognized as long as she's in charge.