Canada's Liberal Party named a new leader who it hopes will help it take power in a nationwide election next year. Whether the choice will pay off isn't clear -- and most U.S. media didn't bother to even hazard a guess.
Most U.S. newspapers covered the election of Montreal academic Stephane Dion with a few words from a newswire. The Seattle Times gave it three digest paragraphs (below a train accident in India).
In the only full story in a major paper, The Washington Post credited the former environment minister's pledge to work on "sustainable development" for his win. The Liberals oppose the ruling party's reluctance on global warming issues and its conservative social and fiscal policies, such as cuts to government programs.
In addition to the environment, Dion made vague pledges to fight for economic prosperity, social justice and environmental sustainability, according to the CBC's account of his press conference.
Closer to home, The Tyee pointed out that Dion is a well-connected Liberal who won the backing of the powers that be in British Columbia. The next several months will reveal what Dion can do with the win.