Mulcair's success is a most rational choice for the NDP and the country. His uniquivocal support for Israel against blind anti-Semitism and the idiocy of Israel Arpartheid Week helps put him in the centre of the policital centre. It may well split the centre left between the Liberals and NDP to allow the centre-right Conservatives to continue to win elections. The difference between Rae and Mulclair is dwiddle dum and dweelde dee. Unlike Americans, most Canadians are not divided by their political allegiances. In fact what unites us, aside from hockey is our passion for shopping. So get used to it. The NDP voted for what Canadians want, someone not too dissimilar form either Harper or Rae. All want to continue with medicare in one way or the other (unlike our Americana brothers.) Most do not want to abandon NATO or Israel (unlike Ron Paul and many isolationists in the States.) No Canadian politician wants legislation to touch the abortion laws as they currently stand, unlike half the politicians the States. In fact, as the old saying goes, the only thing that separates the NDP from the other parties is about 1 or 2 points in the deficit, except it is precisely excessive spending that many taxpayers see what got the US into so much trouble.
