TORONTO, July 24 (UPI) -- An embattled prime minister and an ailing pontiff shared more than just a stage this week; they faced similar questions about their on-the-job performance and their future.
Pope John Paul II offered observers a surprising sign of strength by walking off his airplane.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien didn't exactly overwhelm the pundits, though. In fact, he refused to say this week if he plans to retire -- or at least announce his plans to retire -- before his Liberal party has a mandatory leadership vote next winter.
Trouble is, a growing number of party members think it's time for him to step down. They feel 10 years on the job is quite enough, thank you. But Chretien says he isn't about to call it quits.
"They can say whatever they want," the prime minister said this week.
"The problem is I am the leader of the party and I led my party to three consecutive elections. So I've proved quite effectively that I can do my job."
Chretien may not admit it, but he's been sideswiped by an unofficial leadership campaign and, as fate would have it, his main challenger used to work for him.
Former Finance Minister Paul Martin was lying low this week, avoiding any public appearances while the pope visited Canada.
But Chretien was dogged by suggestions he's been forced by Martin to launch a campaign of his own -- to save his job.
"I'm not campaigning for my job," Chretien quipped in reply. "I'm doing my job."
For the rest of the summer, the prime minister has a full schedule crossing the country, attending government events and partisan functions.
Liberal supporters in the Eastern province of Newfoundland are still reeling from an embarrassing by-election loss this week.
Beaton Tulk, a staunch Liberal who once served as premier, was trounced at the polls Wednesday by his Conservative opponent -- a fish plant manager.
A healthy 77 percent of eligible voters in the riding of Gander-Grand Falls showed up to cast ballots. Observers take that as a sign the provincial Liberals are passé after 13 years in power.
And finally, a bizarre internal skirmish is causing a rift in the Canadian Alliance.
A former Alliance Member of Parliament, now considered a dissident, accuses party leader Stephen Harper and party executives of covering up a sexual harassment incident involving another MP.
Among his allegations are tales of sexual harassment and frozen bank accounts.
So far, Saskatchewan MP Jim Pankiw isn't naming names. His critics say he's just bitter he wasn't allowed back into caucus.
