What's not being said?

This article talks about Finance Minister John Manley hinting that Jean Chretien may step down earlier than Feb., 2004.

Here are some questions that I wondered while reading the article:

1. Why did John Manley drop out of the leadership race when he did? He says that the numbers didn't support him. But, frankly, they never supported him. I've been to a party candidate selection convention, and I'm familiar with the weird vying-for-power games that take place. A candidate with no chance of winning can get a "good" position under the new regime if he or she throws support behind the favourite (and, of course, brings his or her supporters along too).
   
2. Is Manley trying to gain favour with Martin by applying pressure to Chretien to leave early? Let's face it: Martin and Chretien aren't friends by any stretch of the imagination. It helps Martin look good if it appears that the Liberal party is turning against the Prime Minister.
   
3. What role does Manley hope to play in the new cabinet? Is he hoping for a cabinet position? (Who wouldn't?)
   
4. What hints has Chretien made that he might leave early? The article makes this claim but doesn't back it up.
   
5. Why has the article's author, Alexander Panetta, not pursued any of these questions? Can he find no political commentators to ask these questions of? Did they not occur to him? Is it politically inconvenient to ask such questions?
   

I wonder if there's a good forum for critiquing the press.