Bob Rae has seen the writing on the wall, and given the choice I talked about yesterday - between withdrawing or fighting his own leader during an election or coalition government - he has decided for the non-self-destructive alternative.There are two things about this that I find amazing.The first is that I called it!  I can't believe that.  I never call anything. :)Second, that he didn't even wait to make his case to caucus and the rest of the party that the interim leader should not be a leadership contestant.  I expected it later this week, not today.I have always questioned whether or not Bob Rae was really interested in the well-being of the Liberal Party, or if he was only interested in his own leadership of the party.  Those questions have been answered.  Whoever you support in the leadership race, Bob Rae is the man of the hour.  He deserves heaps and heaps of credit for making the right decision here.Also, the members of the Liberal Party of Canada have every right to be extremely disappointed with this turn of events.  We, as party members, have a very few powers.  We choose the leader, we choose the candidates, we choose the constitution, and we choose the policy (for whatever that's worth).  Here, it feels as though the constitutional processes are totally overtaken by results, and we don't get any direct say in the leadership.Usually, I would be livid, but I have come to agree with those who say that the political situation demands that we have a permanent leader now.  And Dominic LeBlanc and Bob Rae have made personal sacrificies in order to see that happen, but so have the members.Party unity is going to be the big challenge now.  But based on the behaviour of the leadership candidates, there is a real hope that people can see the big picture.  Michael Ignatieff looks to be appointed as interim leader tomorrow, and confirmed as permanent leader (as soon as the party can engineer the passing of the candidate nomination deadline).As the Oilers said about their recent game against the San Jose sharks... "A win's a win.  We'll take it."