From the you-knew-this-would-happen but it-doesn't-matter-anyway department

Last night: Liberal Party Announces Consultative Process to Appoint an Interim Leader

Liberal Party President Doug Ferguson announced Monday that the Liberal Party’s National Executive has approved a consultative process by which it will appoint an interim Liberal Leader ...

Consultative, not democratic, a process which regular members would have largely been excluded from.

“I first wish to thank Mr. Dion for the courage and passion with which he led the Liberal Party of Canada,” said Mr. Ferguson.

Mr. Ferguson may have also added: "Don't let the door hit you in the bum on the way out, Stéphane".

This morning: Rae bows out, Ignatieff secures Liberal leadership (CP)

OTTAWA — Michael Ignatieff has secured the federal Liberal leadership without a fight after his last remaining rival, longtime friend Bob Rae, bowed out.

Rae informed his supporters of his decision during a conference call this morning and is to make it official at a news conference later today. His decision came just hours after the Liberal national executive rejected his plea to find an expedited way of giving all party members a vote for Stephane Dion's replacement.

And no messy recriminations about party democracy.