Federal Liberals gain

[Michael Hardner]

Sure I can, he's a member of the Federal Liberal Party of Canada.

And that makes him a poor candidate for leadership of said party ? Excuse me...

[Guest Derek L]

He has pretty much ruled it out though.

Yeah, in a way, that’s a good thing, I hope with a backroom apology and a cabinet appointment, he’d rejoin the “dark side”.

[cybercoma]

This makes sense. Political engagement falls between elections. The strength of the NDP lies entirely with how well they can get people to the polls that don't usually vote.

[Guest Derek L]

Former member of the PCs being a leader of the Liberals? Jean Charest doesn't want any of that?

I think they'd stand a better chance with Bob Rae.

Bob Rae? A Former provincial NDP leader and Premier?

How would Rae shift the LPC towards the center and appeal to moderate (and younger) voters?

[Boges]

Bob Rae? A Former provincial NDP leader and Premier?

How would Rae shift the LPC towards the center and appeal to moderate (and younger) voters?

How would a former member of the PCs appeal to voters that might otherwise vote NDP?

Edited November 28, 2011 by Boges

[cybercoma]

Charest was always on the progressive side of the Progressive Conservatives.

[Guest Derek L]

How would a former member of the PCs appeal to voters that might otherwise vote NDP?

Electability..........He’s young, fiscally conservative, well socially moderate/liberal, articulate and doesn’t have a record of running a critical, vote rich province into the ground etc

[Boges]

Electability..........He’s young, fiscally conservative, well socially moderate/liberal, articulate and doesn’t have a record of running a critical, vote rich province into the ground etc

If he wins the CPC will be breaking out the Flip Flops for election time.

[Guest Derek L]

If he wins the CPC will be breaking out the Flip Flops for election time.

I don't follow?

[Boges]

I don't follow?

I know he didn't officially change parties but he was a PCer that went to the Liberals. He'll hear about that in an election campaign.

I've only ever heard of Brison being a realistic option in this thread though.

[Guest Derek L]

I know he didn't officially change parties but he was a PCer that went to the Liberals. He'll hear about that in an election campaign.

I've only ever heard of Brison being a realistic option in this thread though.

And what of Rae?

[olp1fan]

The next Liberal leader must be younger, active on social networking, affluent in english and french, personable

not willing to kowtow to the US or Europe or Asia.. not an idealouge

[Newfoundlander]

I'm a big fan of Scott Brison and think he could be a good Prime Minister, however I think his best hope is being Finance Minister. He's still young enough however that if the Liberals manage to get back in power over the next decade he could eventually be a strong leadership candidate, after a stint as a high profile minister.

[Topaz]

The next Liberal leader must be younger, active on social networking, affluent in english and french, personable

not willing to kowtow to the US or Europe or Asia.. not an idealouge

Dominic Le Blanc?

[Newfoundlander]

Dominic Le Blanc?

Where is he to though?

I think I'd still prefer Ted Hsu over most of the bunch, though I'd need to learn more about him.

[cybercoma]

The more I think about it, Charest is looking better and better. He could rob the NDP of their support in Quebec, while appealing to the old progressive half of the PCs if they're clining to the CPC for lack of a better option. I could easily see Charest as the next PM, sweeping the Maritimes due to old connections, rebuilding Quebec's relationship with the LPC and picking up Western CPC supporters that are more socially liberal.

[Newfoundlander]

The more I think about it, Charest is looking better and better. He could rob the NDP of their support in Quebec, while appealing to the old progressive half of the PCs if they're clining to the CPC for lack of a better option. I could easily see Charest as the next PM, sweeping the Maritimes due to old connections, rebuilding Quebec's relationship with the LPC and picking up Western CPC supporters that are more socially liberal.

To bad he sucks as premier. People think McGuinty has a bad record, what has Charest done?

[Shwa]

The more I think about it, Charest is looking better and better. He could rob the NDP of their support in Quebec, while appealing to the old progressive half of the PCs if they're clining to the CPC for lack of a better option. I could easily see Charest as the next PM, sweeping the Maritimes due to old connections, rebuilding Quebec's relationship with the LPC and picking up Western CPC supporters that are more socially liberal.

Charest is the smarmy turncoat is he not? It is one thing to go from feds to provincials, but quite another to come back with his record of flip-flopping. Even though he was a decent PC. Leblanc would mop the floor with him. Enough of the old boys, let's move along into the newer generation at least. Charest can be a senator.

[Smallc]

Charest would be a very good PM I think...but the corruption of the people around him pretty much rules that out.

[olp1fan]

the politicians you people are throwing out there for liberal leadership would surely kill the party once and for all

you are all obviously out of touch with reality

[punked]

Considering at the moment they have 60,000 less members then the NDP they got a large hole climb out of.

[olp1fan]

Considering at the moment they have 60,000 less members then the NDP they got a large hole climb out of.

I don't know anyone who is a card carrying member of any political party

I think its lame to belong to a political party unless you're a politician

Edited November 29, 2011 by olp1fan

[punked]

I don't know anyone who is a card carrying member of any political party

I think its lame to belong to a political party unless you're a politician

That is fine but your volunteer base is your membership so when the NDP has 3 times as many members they can do much much more then you. That was the Liberals undoing in the first place they have no structure and it cost them twice as much to run the same organization the Cons and NDP run with more volunteers.

[olp1fan]

If Libs can gain the voters who haven't voted in the last 5 years they'll win in a landslide

that is the key..to get them to vote and to vote for you

[punked]

If Libs can gain the voters who haven't voted in the last 5 years they'll win in a landslide

that is the key..to get them to vote and to vote for you

You mean the whole 100,000 more who voted in 2006 then in 2011? Yah maybe or maybe you are making a simple situation out a much more complex situation. Like Liberal memberships in free fall, ridding associations having to be run from Ottawa by paid workers because there is not one engaged volunteer in the ridding. It is going to take them more then 100,000 more people voting.