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Despite the public build-up, there’s no real choice to be made on Jason Kenney’s future in politics. The decision is obvious: if he wants to continue as an elected representative and have an influential voice in Conservative ranks, he should get out of Ottawa and start rebuilding the party in Alberta.

Reports suggest Kenney has decided to do just that. He won’t confirm it yet, but it’s the smart thing to do, and Kenney is a smart person. The only real alternative would be to quit politics altogether and take a job that pays better and is less stressful.

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His future as a federal politician holds little promise. Justin Trudeau continues to be wildly popular, and, barring some spectacular mistake or surprise scandal, looks well-positioned to continue sending hearts aflutter at least through the end of this term and into another. The Conservatives are in rebuilding mode, and 11 months away from a leadership convention. While Kenney’s name is on every list of potential leaders, pragmatism would seem to be against him. Why choose another right-wing guy from Alberta when you’ve just had your butt kicked because Canadians grew tired of the last Alberta right-winger?