Sigh...

Former deputy prime minister John Manley won't seek Liberal leadership at 0:17 on January 26, 2006, EST.

OTTAWA (CP) - Former deputy prime minister John Manley won't seek the Liberal leadership, The Canadian Press has learned.

Manley sent a letter late Wednesday night to friends and supporters informing them that he won't be a contender in the race to succeed Paul Martin, who announced his plan to step aside after leading the Liberals to defeat in Monday's election. "(Manley) is basically going to tell them, after thinking about it, he's not going to pursue the leadership of the party," a source close to Manley said. "He's got a life now. He's very much enjoying the work he's doing."

He couldn't be reached for comment late Wednesday.

Manley ran against Martin for the leadership in 2003 but pulled out of the race early when it became apparent that Martin could not be stopped. Martin made it clear Manley would not be welcome in his regime, offering him the plum assignment of ambassador to Washington.

Manley declined the offer and retired from public life, joining the law firm of McCarthy Tetrault as senior counsel.

The source said he's enjoyed being involved in major business deals and sitting on the boards of a number of corporations.

Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna took the Washington post after Manley turned it down. McKenna, now perceived to be the frontrunner to replace Martin, cleared the way for a leadership bid Wednesday, announcing that he's offered his resignation as ambassador to Stephen Harper, the Conservative prime minister-designate.

The source said Manley was not daunted by the prospect of facing McKenna in a leadership contest. Rather, at 56, Manley simply felt the time was not right for him to attempt a political comeback.

Another political ally said Manley made up his mind not to run some time ago, adding the newspaper article outlining his intentions had been written before McKenna offered his resignation.

Among other things, Manley had to consider the possibility that the next leader of the Liberal party could be sitting on the opposition benches for years to come.

Manley was frustrated during the 2003 leadership contest by what he considered the party brass's attempts to rig the rules to ensure a Martin coronation. Some Liberals suspect the party is now attempting to do the same thing again, preparing to set an early fall date for the leadership convention, something that would favour McKenna.

McKenna is likely to inherit Martin's political machine.

Some Liberals have argued that the next leader needs to be someone who was in no way involved with the 10-year civil war between Martin and his predecessor, arch-rival Jean Chretien. Manley served as deputy prime minister, industry minister, foreign affairs minister and finance minister under Chretien and has clashed with Martin in the past.

However, the source said Manley has built bridges to both camps since leaving politics and did not feel his association with the Chretien regime would be a liability.