2012 NDP leadership convention

[Holmes]

No, it's true. He's really soft-spoken and friendly. Answered all the questions asked, didn't shy away from any (then again, he was surrounded by NDP supporters, so yeah). Poked fun at the media back calling him right-wing (back then), and at the Liberals and Conservatives. He was nice.

So I don't believe the "he's too angry" complaints. Or rather, I think he can control his anger? At least, if it comes out against Harper, I won't mind.


http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/01/17/liberals-fear-mulcair-leadership-of-ndp/

[Holmes]

Why is dual citizenship bad now? You'd think it'd help with relations with the country in question...

[Holmes]

I just don't understand the outrage against dual citizenship. Sounds very much like a redneck sort of thing. Coming from the guy from Northern Ontario, here.

[Holmes]

I'll try to make it to the Jack Layton tribute on March 23rd, Earl.

[Holmes]

What kind of show is that? Doesn't exactly seem designed to make its guests look bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17eBELp8tEA

[Holmes]

I have class in a bit so I don't have time to type much. But it's the issue of human rights, not just same-sex marriage, that is the so-called "litmus test". The NDP caucus and membership is diverse in its beliefs, but when it comes to human rights of any kind, they're kept in line. If you don't like that, tough. But an NDP caucus ensures and an NDP government would hopefully ensure that human rights are respected.

[Holmes]

I wouldn't vote for an NDP candidate who opposes SSM either, but that's pretty obvious.

[Holmes]

Kathleen Wynne, as annoying as she is, was also fear mongered too, tbf. And don't forget that anti-LGBT PC pamphlet thing that was going around in the 905.

[Holmes]

Ugh, I know. We need Tom now.

[Holmes]

Saganash and Mulcair are going to be on 22 Minutes tonight at 8:30. Of course, I have a lab to go to. sigh.

[Holmes]

Barf. I'm tired of Topp. I'm ready for this race to just be over.

[Holmes]

Of course you do.

I'm sure it would be interesting to have a dinner conversation with any MP, even backbenchers. I'm sure they all have interesting and juicy things to say. Whether or not they would say it, whoever...

[Holmes]

Charlie robocalled me today about his support for Dewar. The only other call I've gotten was a personal one from Mulcair's people.

[Holmes]

Good, good.

Also, NDP, I get it. I've gotten three calls in the past two nights past 8 regarding the leadership race, some automated and some personal. And a poll last night. "Press 1 for Nathan Cullen, press 2 for Nikki Ashton..." Gah.

[Holmes]

I'd prefer e-mails, anything is better than starting a conversation with a stranger near 9 o'clock about beating Harper.

[Holmes]

Hey, Charlie is a fine man.

[Holmes]

Might as well ask it here. I finally got my NDP card in the mail, and Horwath is on it. So I'm assuming other provinces have their provincial leader on the card as well. So what's on Quebec's card?

[Holmes]

If forced to choose between Nash and Mulcair, where would BC go?

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Mulcair%2Bleadership%2Bfront%2Brunner%2Bmembers%2Bhold%2Bcards/6182285/story.html

Stopped at the first sentence. Mulcair isn't "mainly about Quebec" and doesn't promote himself that way. He does say he'd be best at holding Quebec. And that's true.

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No.

I'm impressed by Saskatchewan. The NDP ought to gain a number of seats there.

"Ought to", yes. But...

[Holmes]

I got a(nother) telephone poll last night, asking me who my choices are. I wish they would say who commissions these polls. Anyway, here's my list at the moment.

1. Mulcair
2. Nash
3. Ashton
4. Dewar
5. Cullen
6. Singh
7. Topp

Of course, anything after Nash is irrelevant.

[Holmes]

Run from the center and bring people to the right is what the Conservatives have been doing, and it has succeeded. Even if they screw up their mandate (as they seem to have been doing, little by little), they'll have had >4 years to do whatever they want.

[Holmes]

Quoi?

[Holmes]

Je parle le français. C'est bien. Le débat à Montréal est bien. Ma réponse est bien. C'est bien.

[Holmes]

From the Lib who brought us Vikileaks?

https://twitter.com/#!/kNOwMulcair

[Holmes]

Well, I cast my ballot.

1. Mulcair
2. Nash
3. Ashton
4. Dewar
5. Cullen
6. Singh
7. Saganash
8. Topp

Yup, Saganash was still there. Which is good, any reason to rank Topp lower is welcome.

[Holmes]

Whoa, what a badass. I'm sorry we're not drinking your kool-aid and we're actually choosing a candidate with the experience and credentials, not some backroom strategist that you're totally in love with.

I got a letter from him pleading me to vote for Topp, too. The request was denied.