The next NDP leader

[betsy]

Watching the funeral this afternoon, as the screen shows a dignified, solemn woman walking behind the hearse, the NDP speaker being interviewed by CBC (or CTV?) spoke of Layton's widow, Olivia Chow, as a strong politician in her own right. That she was Layton's sounding board with his policies, that Chow shares the same passion....and that she is the "female version of Layton."

I can't help but think: Is she being groomed for leadership?

How many widows - some with no political experience - ended up winning and acquiring the seat of their late husbands, simply because of their husband's popularity? Corazon Aquino comes to mind (who toppled down Marcos).

Then during the service, the anchorperson mentioned the "passing of the torch."

Michael Layton - a councillor - gave a nostalgic father/son biking trip story that showed both are from the same mold. It shows he is his father's son.

I wonder, does that torch be also that as leader of the NDP - to continue his father's work?

I don't know if the funeral was exactly as Layton had wanted it to be - a lot of politics in it! In a way, it smells like a propaganda that can be used later.

But we do know that Layton couldn't have known that Harper would offer a state funeral held for him.

It's just this thing seemed to be so excessive.

Layton must've been a truly nice, caring gentleman - but they've turned him into a folk hero or a martyr (can't think of the appropriate word).

If I'm not mistaken - pls correct me if I'm wrong - one of Layton's expressed wishes is for Mulcair and Davis not to run for leadership. To give others a chance at it?

Will Mulcair accept that without a fight? In the past, Craig Oliver and other pundits have hinted at Mulcair's political ambition to be the next leader....and how Layton keeps careful watch.

For Jack to stipulate such clear wishes - clipping the wings of two hopefuls - there's more here than meets the eye. Possible storm brewing in that party.

Do you think Chow or young Layton will run as leader?

Edited August 28, 2011 by betsy

[Evening Star]

If I'm not mistaken - pls correct me if I'm wrong - one of Layton's expressed wishes is for Mulcair and Davis not to run for leadership. To give others a chance at it?

Cite?

Davies would be a disaster. Mulcair or Paul Dewar seem like the strongest choices to me.

[betsy]

Cite?

I'm not sure about it. I've heard the middle of an interview with the President (?) of the NDP (Anne McGrath) and the way I understood it Jack had expressed those wishes.

Now, were they rehashing his words and retelling the incident when he appointed the interim leader? I don't know.

Edited August 28, 2011 by betsy

[punked]

Layton would never wish for such an Anti democratic thing.

[capricorn]

I'm not sure about it. I've heard the middle of an interview with the President (?) of the NDP (Anne McGrath) and the way I understood it Jack had expressed those wishes.

Now, were they rehashing his words and retelling the incident when he appointed the interim leader? I don't know.

Layton never said he wished Mulcair or Davies be excluded as potential party leader should he not return. He recommended Nycole Turmel as interim leader in order to level the playing in the event a leadership race became necessary. Of course, Turmel had no intentions of running for the leadership or Layton would not have recommended her as interim leader.

Cancer-stricken NDP Leader Jack Layton recommended rookie Quebec MP Nycole Turmel as the party’s interim leader in part to avoid giving an advantage to a field of MPs who are making it clear behind close doors that they want to one day succeed Mr. Layton, a senior NDP MP says.

New Democrat Joe Comartin told The Hill Times on Tuesday, in the midst of a controversy over the disclosure that Ms. Turmel (Gatineau, Que.) once joined the Bloc Québécois, that Mr. Layton’s selection of Ms. Turmel was based not just on the question of choosing one of his two deputy leaders over the other, one being ambitious Montreal MP Thomas Mulcair (Outremont, Quebec), but also because other MPs in the party’s 103-member caucus also have their eyes on the party helm.

http://www.hilltimes.com/dailyupdate/view/layton_wanted_turmel_to_level_playing_field_more_ndp_mps_interested_in_leadership_down_the_road_08-02-2011

[scouterjim]

Will the NDP abandon their "No healthy straight white male need apply" platform?

[Remiel]

Is Stoffer not going to make a run for it? I remember a time when he seemd the natural alternative to Layton.

[Newfoundlander]

Ian Capstick has said he doesn't believe Mulcair or Daviees should run for the leadership because they already have important roles.

Davies wouldn't stand a chance anyways but it would be a major shock if Mulcair didn't run.

The party needs to try and separate themselves from Layton, to an extent, moving forward. Trying to find the next Layton or having a leader that tries to be like Layton won't work. It will be like the Liberals trying to find their next Truduea, and look how that has turned out. People shouldn't just vote for the NDP because they think Layton was a nice man, or any party just because they think the leader is nice.

[capricorn]

Ian Capstick has said he doesn't believe Mulcair or Daviees should run for the leadership because they already have important roles.

Wouldn't it be interesting to know Mulcair's and Davies' reaction to Capstick's opinion in this regard?

The party needs to try and separate themselves from Layton,

I doubt very much that will happen. In fact, I think the very opposite will happen.

It's widely accepted that the NDP's rise to official opposition status came about because of the number of Quebecers who voted for "Le Bon Jack" rather than individual NDP candidates. Layton went into the May elections with a number of advantages in Quebec. Among other elements, he steadily built a reputation of being a good guy on the side of the underdog, he appealed to anti-militaristic Quebecers and, he was born and raised there. The fact that Quebec is the most left leaning jurisdiction in Canada also played in his favour. So why would the NDP attempt to diminish "the Layton factor"? That's what got them into the official opposition slot. I foresee a ton of tributes.

[Newfoundlander]

Wouldn't it be interesting to know Mulcair's and Davies' reaction to Capstick's opinion in this regard?

I doubt very much that will happen. In fact, I think the very opposite will happen.

It's widely accepted that the NDP's rise to official opposition status came about because of the number of Quebecers who voted for "Le Bon Jack" rather than individual NDP candidates. Layton went into the May elections with a number of advantages in Quebec. Among other elements, he steadily built a reputation of being a good guy on the side of the underdog, he appealed to anti-militaristic Quebecers and, he was born and raised there. The fact that Quebec is the most left leaning jurisdiction in Canada also played in his favour. So why would the NDP attempt to diminish "the Layton factor"? That's what got them into the official opposition slot. I foresee a ton of tributes.

There is no other "Jack Layton", trying to persuade people to vote NDP because you're the party of Jack Layton won't work. The party needs to try and focus on Layton's policies, and not just on the man himself. I've seen comments whereby people have said they should choose Paul Dewar because they can make him seem the most like Jack, or they can choose this person because him and Jack shared these qualities, etc. etc.

The Liberals thought they had the second coming of Pierre Trudeau in Michael Ignatieff and look what happened. The NDP cannot create Jack Layton 2.0.

[Remiel]

Davies is kind of a fruitcake. She would be an unmitigated disaster for the NDP.

Of others not mentioned so far, I have always kind of liked Charlie Angus.

[Topaz]

A group of us were talking about this and it was pointed out that, it may not be a good idea for the "Mrs" to be leader because if she did become PM, China could have power over her by threatening any family she has in China. Also, we don't know if she would want it and how Quebec would react. It hard to say who would be leader.

[cybercoma]

This isn't a country where leaders get their authority from lineage. Olivia Chow and Michael Layton are the most ridiculous suggestions I've hear to date. That's not to say they couldn't lead the party some day. However, Mike is doing a fine job on city council in Toronto right now. He may get into federal politics eventually, but it's too soon and it would look too much like opportunism right now. In any case, do you really want someone completely inexperienced at the federal level stepping into the role of opposition leader?

I'm thinking there's a high likelihood of it being Thomas Mulcair; however, I would love to see Stephen Lewis get back into politics. His foundation probably takes up all of his time, not to mention he's probably no longer interested in that lifestyle any more.

[capricorn]

There is no other "Jack Layton", trying to persuade people to vote NDP because you're the party of Jack Layton won't work.

I'm not disagreeing with you. What I'm saying is that the NDP will rely heavily on Layton's name and the glow created by his state funeral to sustain what they have gained.

[capricorn]

In any case, do you really want someone completely inexperienced at the federal level stepping into the role of opposition leader?

You mean like newly elected Nycole Turmel?

[Newfoundlander]

This isn't a country where leaders get their authority from lineage. Olivia Chow and Michael Layton are the most ridiculous suggestions I've hear to date. That's not to say they couldn't lead the party some day. However, Mike is doing a fine job on city council in Toronto right now. He may get into federal politics eventually, but it's too soon and it would look too much like opportunism right now. In any case, do you really want someone completely inexperienced at the federal level stepping into the role of opposition leader?

I'm thinking there's a high likelihood of it being Thomas Mulcair; however, I would love to see Stephen Lewis get back into politics. His foundation probably takes up all of his time, not to mention he's probably no longer interested in that lifestyle any more.

Olivia Chow's name being brought up wouldn't be that ridiculous if it were being brought up for other reasons than her being Jack Layton's widow. I would find it very odd if Chow, or anyone really, would even consider wanting to be leader of the party their spouse led just months after their death.

[Argus]

You mean like newly elected Nycole Turmel?

If they want to hold onto many of those Quebec seats the next leader should be a Quebecer. Certainly the next leader has to be bilingual. I don't know if the likes of Chow or Angus are bilingual - english-french bilingual.

[Remiel]

A quick but by no means extensive search turns up the fact that Angus used to be in a band called L'Etranger, but that is indirect evidence and the only evidence of any kind I found...

[cybercoma]

You mean like newly elected Nycole Turmel?

She's an interim leader that cannot run for the party leadership. She also was the head of the largest public service union in the country. It's not the same thing at all.

[cybercoma]

If they want to hold onto many of those Quebec seats the next leader should be a Quebecer. Certainly the next leader has to be bilingual. I don't know if the likes of Chow or Angus are bilingual - english-french bilingual.

Chances are it will end up being Thomas Mulcair, but I would like to see Stephen Lewis get back into the game. The latter isn't going to happen though.

[Guest Peeves]

Chances are it will end up being Thomas Mulcair, but I would like to see Stephen Lewis get back into the game. The latter isn't going to happen though.

Chow can't speak French. Half the party is French, at least for a few years.

It will be a free for all. I hope it doesn't turn into a donnybrook.

There is bound to be a Quebec factor.

[Guest Peeves]

She's an interim leader that cannot run for the party leadership. She also was the head of the largest public service union in the country. It's not the same thing at all.

The baggage she carries would negate any chance.

[Guest Peeves]

If they want to hold onto many of those Quebec seats the next leader should be a Quebecer. Certainly the next leader has to be bilingual. I don't know if the likes of Chow or Angus are bilingual - english-french bilingual.

Thomas Mulcair's comments on the Osama/USA/Obama issue might do him in as irrational. Davies is an anti-Semitic big mouth.

It will be fun to watch.

I have my thoughts, but that matters not a hoot. I know it won't be Rae or Iggy.

Edited August 28, 2011 by Peeves

[punked]

The baggage she carries would negate any chance.

The fact that she is 72 years old and would be going into the next election at 76 is what negates her nothing else.

[Guest Peeves]

The fact that she is 72 years old and would be going into the next election at 76 is what negates her nothing else.

Nothing else? You thing the NDP base would accept her former (Quebecois) card carrying memberships? I don't.