2012 NDP leadership convention

[Holmes]

I'd love Angus, of course. But I don't think he has "it". The issues he's most passionate about - first nation rights, net neutrality, anything pro-Northern Ontario - not many in Canada actually care about. Especially the last one.

[Holmes]

It's not just about how Canada views the new leader that matters. Without Jack, the NDP caucus is weaker. It is a relatively inexperienced caucus. Not less united, but more vulnerable to attacks and provocations that may cause in-fighting, especially between the Quebec and non-Quebec members. And I'm sure Harper and the Conservatives will bring up sovereignty and federalism issues eventually, especially after the Nycole Turmel incident. Not just the party, but the caucus needs a strong leader that can keep everyone grounded and focused, at least until they've matured politically.

[Holmes]

I'm leaning Mulcair. And where are these Brian Topp rumors coming from? I don't know if I could get behind him.

[Holmes]

Chow really should prioritize getting her life back in order after this whole ordeal. She looked horrible this past week, really different from how we're used to seeing her. I wouldn't see her running in a better circumstance either, though. As for her unilingualism, she also speaks Cantonese, and I believe Mandarin? Not that it would really help much outside her riding, and some in Vancouver.

[Holmes]

You're not feeling Topp either, Hatman? I dunno. I think he rubs me the wrong way, leader-wise. How much do we even know about him? And he's been behind the scenes for so long... hasn't even held office. This whole Brian Topp thing seems like it came out of nowhere.

[Holmes]

Oh! Leslie was raised in Kirkland Lake.

Also, notice that the NDP numbers didn't go up, just that the Tories went down... I think the more important numbers will be after the new leader is chosen. But if the numbers in Ontario are 34 Conservative - 30 NDP, that's goodbye Liberals. Even more.

[Holmes]

Quebec wing, Topp: delay the vote. Layton's letter seemed to indicate a late January timetable. My take is that this means they're aiming for a free-for-all like the Grits had in 2006.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ndps-quebec-wing-urges-delayed-leadership-convention/article2149384/

Ah, I'm just loving the comments section.

A later leadership convention would make me sad, only because I would have to wait longer, but I do agree that it's best to do as much membership drives as possible - not just in Quebec, but everywhere. I was surprised to see that BC has more NDP members than Ontario!

As much as that article and other media sources are teasing at a Charlie Angus run, I don't think it'll happen.

[Holmes]

It would certainly take a fighter to take on Harper. Dion and Ignatieff were much too gentle and let him steamroll them.

[Holmes]

Excellent news. Central Canada means I will probably be able to go (although having a convention in Vancouver didn't stop me this year). Maybe I will be able to meet Holmes!

April would be exam time! January would've been much more doable for me, tbh, but oh well. I prefer the convention a bit later in the year.

[Holmes]

437 is also coming up in a few years for Toronto as well.

[Holmes]

Toronto, on March 24.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ooh that's the weekend of the Toronto Comic-Con though. I could just go Sunday but all the good stuff happens on Saturday. Hmm! I don't know what to do.

[Holmes]

Of course no one knows who he is. He's a backroom strategist who's only been spotted in youtube videos and some press conferences. I don't see why he would be leadership material when we don't really know much about him, compared to the other probable candidates, in the first place.

[Holmes]

Charlie doesn't seem to wanna run, no matter how much I bug him.

I want Leslie to run! Especially since Mulcair vs. Topp might get ugly and personal. I want her to get more exposure!

[Holmes]

That's 2 - 0 Québec MPs supporting Topp over Mulcair, yes?

[Holmes]

Mulcair has been acting like a baby today, apparently. According to the media, anyway. Says he sees no hope of winning the leadership if the party doesn't do membership drives in Quebec. He should look into broadening his appeal outside of Quebec, otherwise I wouldn't want to see him run a federal campaign.

[Holmes]

I want to see him succeed. He seems so passionate and great when things are going his way, but when they're not, well... I'll definitely look into other candidates who are not named Topp in the meantime.

[Holmes]

uugh.

Might be looking into supporting Dewar, depending on how Mulcair runs his campaign.

[Holmes]

Do you agree or disagree with Rex?

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/rexmurphy/story/2011/09/22/thenational-rexmurphy-110922.html

A+++

I admit that Mulcair has his faults. But the treatment he's been getting lately is a bit too much. Before the election, he was a beacon. Now that the party has 59 seats in Quebec, it's as if he's been tossed aside. Especially with Jack gone now.

[Holmes]

On one hand, the vast majority of recent party leaders didn't and don't speak French well at all (in fact, I cringe when they do... embarrassing). Duceppe did obviously, and Dion, but other than that... however, it's not like their French-speaking ability really did them any good in Quebec in the long run, eh?

[Holmes]

Julian out, Mulcair in.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/julian-bows-out-but-mulcair-will-be-running-for-ndp-helm/article2190641/

It's between Cullen and Mulcair for me at the moment.

[Holmes]

What, exactly, is up with Mulcair's "temper"? Is it akin to McCain's, where we never really saw it, only heard anecdotes about it?

[Holmes]

I'm looking to support Cullen or Dewar. So this might be the first time someone I vote for doesn't win.

[Holmes]

There are been (relatively) left of center and right of center federal Liberal governments, and (Progressive) Conservative governments, just as there have been provincial NDP gouvernments. The federal NDP has never held federal gouvernment, so it's a bit silly to discuss exactly how they should lead, ideologically. If 2015 yields a Prime Minister Mulcair, he can run a moderate gouvernment if he wants, and still instill NDP policies. Realistically though, and NDP government would be more left of center than not.

[Holmes]

Ruth Ellen for leader, plz.

http://www.985fm.ca/national/nouvelles/ruth-ellen-brosseau-hesite-a-choisir-son-camp-101844.html

[Holmes]

Not related to the leadership race. But it's sad to see Dan Heap in such a state.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1069890