NDP Leadership

[j44]

I guess "assume" is the wrong word: I conclude that he's a moron based on the ideas that he has presented so far and as a result, I tune him out.

The Liberal co-operation? Anything else?

[cybercoma]

The duty of the Opposition is to oppose, after all.

That's a very Conservative way of thinking. The Opposition isn't obliged to oppose anything.

[cybercoma]

His half-baked (I call it that because it's anything but fully-formed) plan for cooperation deserves the utmost condemnation. In fact, the only reason Peggy Nash is my second choice is that she has been brutally deriding him for that stupid idea.

[Evening Star]

The Liberal co-operation? Anything else?

I was posting drunk and was being meaner than I really should. But yes, that's primarily what I was referring to: I see that as the one challenging idea that has been presented on which there is significant disagreement and I do think it's completely foolish, for reasons I (and cybercoma) have already given. (Otherwise, I have trouble taking seriously debates about the ideological differences between the guy who worked for Romanow and the guy who served in Charest's cabinet [and was Layton's co-deputy]. Nor am I very moved by questions about the centrist intentions of the guy who led the fight against corporate tax cuts and who's probably the most prominent cap and trade advocate in Canadian politics.)

I also think it's a little dumb to advocate lowering the voting age, as Cullen did. (Are Grade 11 students really demanding this en masse? Do we have any real plan to motivate 21-year-olds to vote before we worry about extending the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds?)

Edited March 14, 2012 by Evening Star

[Smallc]

Nope. New poll out last suggests the NDP is back out front, albeit in a tight 3 way race between the Dippers, the Grits and the Bloc.

That's good. That's a far more healthy way for Quebecers to be looking at things.

[TheNewTeddy]

That's good. That's a far more healthy way for Quebecers to be looking at things.

Even at 15% the NDP would likely take a half-dozen seats in Quebec, which is in-line with their take in other provinces when they are not sweeping to the Official Opposition. The NDP is in Quebec to stay.

[Newfoundlander]

Even at 15% the NDP would likely take a half-dozen seats in Quebec, which is in-line with their take in other provinces when they are not sweeping to the Official Opposition. The NDP is in Quebec to stay.

They only narrowly won 1 seat in Quebec in 2008 with 12%.

[punked]

They only narrowly won 1 seat in Quebec in 2008 with 12%.

There is a tipping point in all provinces where you go from no seats to around the right seats per percentage of the vote you get. It is usually 20% give or take.

[TheNewTeddy]

Look at the ADQ vote. Once you've won seats, you tend to keep a few.

[cybercoma]

Even at 15% the NDP would likely take a half-dozen seats in Quebec, which is in-line with their take in other provinces when they are not sweeping to the Official Opposition. The NDP is in Quebec to stay.

What's going to be awesomes is when Ruth-Ellen Brousseau retains her seat because she's the hardest-working, most constituent focused MP on the Hill.

[TheNewTeddy]

What's going to be awesomes is when Ruth-Ellen Brousseau retains her seat because she's the hardest-working, most constituent focused MP on the Hill.

Actually her's is one of the most vulnerable in the province.

[PIK]

What's going to be awesomes is when Ruth-Ellen Brousseau retains her seat because she's the hardest-working, most constituent focused MP on the Hill.

If true that is good to hear that she is serious about her job. Now I am thinking dewar could pull a dion and come out of nowhere and win this thing. Edited March 14, 2012 by PIK

[j44]

Singh just said on CBC that Mulcair is his second choice and then with a straight face said that accusations by other candidates that they were in cahoots are false.

[cybercoma]

I believe him when he says it. His position is closer to Mulcair than anyone else, so of course it's going to seem as though they're in "cahoots". However, you don't see people saying Peggy Nash and Niki Ashton are in cahoots.

[j44]

I believe him when he says it. His position is closer to Mulcair than anyone else, so of course it's going to seem as though they're in "cahoots". However, you don't see people saying Peggy Nash and Niki Ashton are in cahoots.

Did Ashton openly back Nash?

[Newfoundlander]

I now think Mulcair has to much momentum to lose. He continues to announce high profile endorsements and the majority of people don't seem to bothered by him wanting to modernize the party. With the remainder of the leftier candidates still being 4 it will probably be to hard for one to come out on top, especially with Cullen's support building. I had thought and hoped Peggy Nash could narrowly defeat him on the last ballot but she doesn't seem strong enough anymore.

[Newfoundlander]

The NDP say they're unlike other parties and that everybody will be happy after the convention no matter who's leader but I am think they could be in for a fright.

[cybercoma]

This would be an excellent outcome, imo:

But let’s assume, for the sake of discussion, that the smart money is correct, and Mulcair wins. And let’s further assume he names Cullen, a fellow centrist and a popular British Columbia MP, as his deputy in English Canada, perhaps with a strong female Quebec MP — foreign affairs critic and former diplomat Helene Laverdiere has been mentioned — as Quebec deputy. What then?

Full commentary: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/15/michael-den-tandt-thomas-mulcair-would-bring-harpers-dream-of-liberals-demise-a-closer-to-reality/

[UofGPolitico]

So Ed Broadbent in multiple interviews today went on a tirade warning against a Mulcair victory citing his temperament, the fact that the majority of seasoned MPs have not supported him in this race and that he will move the party too far to the centre. Clearly Broadbent is throwing a hail mary for his little pet project, Brian Topp, but what will this do IF Mulcair is victorious? Setting the party up for some pretty divisive times me thinks. Broadbent's public comments today are just a Tory attack ad waiting to happen.

[cybercoma]

So Ed Broadbent in multiple interviews today went on a tirade warning against a Mulcair victory citing his temperament, the fact that the majority of seasoned MPs have not supported him in this race and that he will move the party too far to the centre. Clearly Broadbent is throwing a hail mary for his little pet project, Brian Topp, but what will this do IF Mulcair is victorious? Setting the party up for some pretty divisive times me thinks. Broadbent's public comments today are just a Tory attack ad waiting to happen.

Ed Schreyer supports Mulcair. Sure it would be nice if Tom tout "My Two Eds", but one will do.

[Newfoundlander]

It was mentioned early in the race and I'm thinking it will definitely be true, Mulciar/Topp will be the Chretien/Martin of this decade.

[UofGPolitico]

It was mentioned early in the race and I'm thinking it will definitely be true, Mulciar/Topp will be the Chretien/Martin of this decade.

There definitely is an environment being created that could be ripe for a whole host of problems. Mulcair will have some work to do to make sure the party is behind him.

People like Libby Davies are probably having strokes over the possibility of a Mulcair NDP. I use her name because she I think definitely is the face of the radical left in that party.

Edited March 16, 2012 by UofGPolitico

[capricorn]

I couldn't believe my ears listening to Broadbent go on about Mulcair. Why didn't he just wait for the leadership convention to take sides. I guess he figures he still has enough weight within the party to influence the outcome of the leadership vote.

[Newfoundlander]

I couldn't believe my ears listening to Broadbent go on about Mulcair. Why didn't he just wait for the leadership convention to take sides. I guess he figures he still has enough weight within the party to influence the outcome of the leadership vote.

Well I believe in only one case the establishment candidate didn't win.

[Topaz]

I think if Quebec doesn't have a leader from Quebec, the NDP will be back to third place. On the other hand, if the Liberals pick someone that Quebec supports, they could be back in opposition or PMO in the next election.