2012 NDP leadership convention

[DL]

OK, I checked with Statscan - 0.07% of tax filers in Canada have incomes of over $250,000. So that means that 99.93% of Canadians will NOT pay anything more in taxes under Topp's plan. I'm thinking 250,000 is too high a level to set the new bracket at - why not $200,000??

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Those 99.93% of Canadians have 49.99% of the power

[DL]

If people vote their self-interest, the NDP will get 99.93 % of the vote and the Tories will get the other 0.07%

[lilTommy]

My opinions:

We all knew it was a love-in, the NDP is not in the habit of being brutal to each other, and i don't think they should be. In the end they all have to work together as MP's and hopefully cabinet ministers. the last thing you want is an enemy behind you and worrying about the knife that might come..

I liked what Topp was saying but i found his attack on Dewar pretty distasteful, it degenerated into something petty. I like how open and honest he is about the need to creating a fair tax system, even if its not popular.

Saganash was disappointing in the English debate (which i hear he chalked up to bronchitis) be he was vague and i found it hard to see him as inspiring.

Singh more than impressed me in how eloquent he was, hes definitely a one-issue pro-business candidate, and i think he did a very good job of expressing that from a progressive point. I hope he decides to run the next election, hes not my choice for leader but i think he would make a good MP.

Cullen was hilarious, he had the best jokes-one liners during the English bedate; he came across as the most relaxed and laid back, most common-folk fella.

Mulcair showed hes not an angry man, he came across as warm but also the most intelligent with very detailed comments on the need for sustainable development, he impressed me with his deep knowledge and ability to communicate that in sound bites.

Aston to me came off aggressive, not sure why but i just kept saying to myself "calm girl". She passionate i will give her that, but i didn't find her very likeable (even thought i do indeed like here a lot!)

Nash was confident and again i liked what she had to say, Leader I'm just not being swayed yet... top 3 vote for me... her Union ties will hurt her during the hustings as leader... like it or not many Canadians aren't fans of unions (i can see it, but disagree wholeheartedly).

Chisholm, I'm happy hes in the race, but i think he will be one of the first to drop out.

Dewar was actually came off as stiff to me, presented some good ideas and some that i might not support (like keeping the GST as is) but good on him, hes going to need to learn how to back up his positions and not say "were not talking about this right now"

All in all a good start, the candidates are starting to stake ground on issues and positions and directions... i was very impressed with the diverse group.

 

[DL]

If ever having had tied to a union is such a disadvantage - how is it that the former leader of the Manitoba Government Employees Union - Gary Doer - won three terms in Manitoba and is now Canadian ambassador toi the US. Its not as if MB is some uniquely pro-union province by any means.

[lilTommy]

If ever having had tied to a union is such a disadvantage - how is it that the former leader of the Manitoba Government Employees Union - Gary Doer - won three terms in Manitoba and is now Canadian ambassador toi the US. Its not as if MB is some uniquely pro-union province by any means.

Good call, so there is precident... anyone know if his union ties were used against him in 99?
I want to make it clear I DON'T think it is personally but if were looking to grow the party past the base..."progressive" and moderate friends and family members show an odd distain for unions... otherwise some of these guys would vote NDP. It would be great to hear how one can counter attacks. I'm sorta thinking ahead to see not only who best can represent the NDP but who can grow it.

[lilTommy]

news on endorsements:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Mulcair+gains+steam+leadership/5825297/story.html

Mulcair just picked up a big one, former MP, GG and MAN premier Ed Schreyer. BIG for Mulcair who needs big western support to get his name out there.

Anyone know if all the candidates will be at the BCNDP convention this wknd?

[DL]

The fact of the matter is that if the Tories really wanted to go on a "union bashing" frenzy - they could find ways to attack virtually ANY of the leading NDP leadership candidates:

Topp - a union boss if ever there was one - he is executive director of ACTRA whihc represents freelance actors, artists and technicians
Mulcair - was once an officer in the union representing Quebec public service employees
Nash - long history with the Canadian Auto Workers
Dewar - was formerly a regional VP with ETFO Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario
Chisholm - formerly a regional VP with CUPE

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The sort of people who might react in horror to the prospect of a party leader with union ties are the sort of people who will not vote for a social democratic party under any circumstances. End of.

[RogueBeaver]

Nash picked up Savoie's endorsement this week, so another big name for her.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

The sort of people who might react in horror to the prospect of a party leader with union ties are the sort of people who will not vote for a social democratic party under any circumstances. End of.

I disagree. PEI especially is a place where this is untrue. In PEI a "Social Democrat" is a "really really left-wing person but someone I might stomach if I REALLY have to..." where as a Socialist is a "COMMUNIST OMG STALIN! STALIN!!! ARREST HIM!!!" and a Union Man is a "COMMUNIST OMG, STALIN! OR WAIT IS IT HITLER? OMG"

[RogueBeaver]

Sibboleth is right. Except "those people" will determine OO in 2015 and who will form government when the pendulum swings in '19 or '23.

[Linus Van Pelt]

Sibboleth is right. Except "those people" will determine OO in 2015 and who will form government when the pendulum swings in '19 or '23.

I'm surprised you of all people would say this, given your knowledge of your home province; I take it you don't think the people who gave 50+ seats repeatedly to a party led by Gilles Duceppe think that a union past is a major negative. And regardless of what the Anglo soft Liberal voter thinks of unions, it will be exceptionally hard for the NDP to be in third place in the absence of a major swing away from it in Quebec.

[RogueBeaver]

On another note, did anyone catch Dewar's idea to restore the subsidy and use it on a "nominating female candidates" curve? Wonder what resident Dippers think.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Nominations happen at the riding level. I think it's wrong to tell voters in those nomination meetings that they are somehow "bad people" - and that's the implication - for voting for a man. In fact, if Dewar is serious, he should drop out and endorse Ashton or Nash.

[RogueBeaver]

Nominations happen at the riding level. I think it's wrong to tell voters in those nomination meetings that they are somehow "bad people" - and that's the implication - for voting for a man. In fact, if Dewar is serious, he should drop out and endorse Ashton or Nash.

Agreed. You can extend this "logic" to other ID groups as well. Say, you get more tax dollars for LGBT, handicapped, aboriginals, etc. The whole thing is moronic, especially since the NDP already nominates the most female candidates of all the parties due to internal rules. If you want an affirmative action nomination process that overrides a local one, then use party rules and not taxpayer money, thanks.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The sort of people who might react in horror to the prospect of a party leader with union ties are the sort of people who will not vote for a social democratic party under any circumstances. End of.

I disagree. PEI especially is a place where this is untrue. In PEI a "Social Democrat" is a "really really left-wing person but someone I might stomach if I REALLY have to..." where as a Socialist is a "COMMUNIST OMG STALIN! STALIN!!! ARREST HIM!!!" and a Union Man is a "COMMUNIST OMG, STALIN! OR WAIT IS IT HITLER? OMG"

PEI matters to the NDP as rural Devon matters to the Labour Party.

[MaxQue]

Nominations happen at the riding level. I think it's wrong to tell voters in those nomination meetings that they are somehow "bad people" - and that's the implication - for voting for a man. In fact, if Dewar is serious, he should drop out and endorse Ashton or Nash.

I'm opposed to all quotas or incitatives to select or favor someone according to its race, gender, etc.., in all spheres of public live.

That is including nomination meetings.

[lilTommy]

The only way i will support a quota system would be under a PR list say if canada wakes up and adopts MMP... whereas my preference would be "man/woman/man/woman" etc... as well as in the top ten have at least one slot for the highest vote getter (by party members) for minority and youth. These are the under-represented groups under FPTP.

I fully support the current NDP selection process where they actively search for women, minorities, etc to encourage them to participate. I don't support the BC model where retiring members have to be replaced by women (correct?) and certain nominations being female only.
Its a fine line here.

[Peter the Lefty]

The sort of people who might react in horror to the prospect of a party leader with union ties are the sort of people who will not vote for a social democratic party under any circumstances. End of.

I disagree. PEI especially is a place where this is untrue. In PEI a "Social Democrat" is a "really really left-wing person but someone I might stomach if I REALLY have to..." where as a Socialist is a "COMMUNIST OMG STALIN! STALIN!!! ARREST HIM!!!" and a Union Man is a "COMMUNIST OMG, STALIN! OR WAIT IS IT HITLER? OMG"

Almost as bad as the US! 

[RogueBeaver]

The sort of people who might react in horror to the prospect of a party leader with union ties are the sort of people who will not vote for a social democratic party under any circumstances. End of.

I disagree. PEI especially is a place where this is untrue. In PEI a "Social Democrat" is a "really really left-wing person but someone I might stomach if I REALLY have to..." where as a Socialist is a "COMMUNIST OMG STALIN! STALIN!!! ARREST HIM!!!" and a Union Man is a "COMMUNIST OMG, STALIN! OR WAIT IS IT HITLER? OMG"

Almost as bad as the US! 

Were that the case there would be no NDP.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

The NDP probably can find enough areas not scared off by union men and socialism to patch together a majority, but it is of course easier otherwise.

[Hatman 🍁]

The sort of people who might react in horror to the prospect of a party leader with union ties are the sort of people who will not vote for a social democratic party under any circumstances. End of.

I disagree. PEI especially is a place where this is untrue. In PEI a "Social Democrat" is a "really really left-wing person but someone I might stomach if I REALLY have to..." where as a Socialist is a "COMMUNIST OMG STALIN! STALIN!!! ARREST HIM!!!" and a Union Man is a "COMMUNIST OMG, STALIN! OR WAIT IS IT HITLER? OMG"

Almost as bad as the US! 

Were that the case there would be no NDP.

Which is true in PEI.

Anyways, Im against quotas as well, I think the way the party does things now is good.

[adma]

PEI matters to the NDP as rural Devon matters to the Labour Party.

Could Charlottetown be a Plymouth or Exeter equivalent in utero?

[lilTommy]

I just wanted to throw that out there about the Unions, i think its a legitimate concern having worked as a union steward i know, people have no understanding what Unions do, how they work and what they fight for... anywho, thats only one part of the NDP, i find some canadians vote based on only one of two policiy ideas (that affect them) or the leader themselves.

Charlottetown is probably the only PEI target in "play"... If they win that in 2015, i'd say they would also be picking up other urban/rural ridings that they need to win (especially in Ontario) like Brant, Peterborough, Chatham-Kent-Essex, etc