From 1969 to 1989, Bryden held a number of positions as a journalist at several Canadian newspapers including the Hamilton Spectator, The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
He supported Deputy Prime Minister John Manley to succeed the retiring Jean Chrétien.
This brought an end to his political career, as Manley was unable to make much headway against front runner Paul Martin, who not only had a large lead in polls but also controlled much of the party machinery.
Bryden's electoral district was abolished, forcing him into an uphill battle against a Martin loyalist.
Bryden was unable to gain the Conservative nomination for his riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale in the 2004 federal election, and he retired from politics.