ONDP Leadership Fora
November 30, 2008 - 12:03pm
We've had dedicated threads for things like "Latest Polls". There were small parts of the ONDP Leadership threads that noted there was some Leadership Forum coming up or what had happened at a Forum. So, I'm starting a new thread solely for the Leadership Fora that will come up from time to time.
The Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale NDP's web site that the Leadership Canadidates were there recently there. I understand that the ONDP Women's Committee will include a Leadership Candidate Forum at their Annual Conference on Sat Dec 6 in Toronto.
This may be a daft question but is it ok for men to attend the Women's Committee debate?
I actually had to look up "Fora"... but I guess this is a good a place as any to mention we had the leadership contenders up for a Christmas Social fundraiser yesterday in Gravenhurst. It was great. Tabuns couldn't make it, and had sent Cheri DiNovo to pinch hit for him, but alas she came down with the flu. However, Tabuns did make a video address. It got good press (I think - the weekly regional newpapers come out wednesday).
Did anyone here go to the Women's Committee forum?
Mojo... I am confused. Was it great because Peter didn't attend (was the video at least auto focused properly) and that Cheri struck out at pinch hitting for him....
Or was great because there were actually high quality candidates who showed up to meet and greet your members no matter the weather conditions. Remember... 80% of this job is showing up.
I know you have mentioned that you are supporting Peter in past posts but a little detail about those who did attend would be helpful.
Here is an article about the Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale NDP's leadership forum from the weekly newspaper.
Mojo... I am confused. Was it great because Peter didn't attend (was the video at least auto focused properly) and that Cheri struck out at pinch hitting for him....
Or was great because there were actually high quality candidates who showed up to meet and greet your members no matter the weather conditions. Remember... 80% of this job is showing up.
I know you have mentioned that you are supporting Peter in past posts but a little detail about those who did attend would be helpful.
Oh c'mon PV, your contempt for Peter and Cheri is glaringly obvious. Getting the flu is not the same as striking out and no matter how you slice it its a cheap and gratuitous shot.
80 per cent of this job is just showing up????? How utterly simplistic and dismissive.
You're not confused and you're not looking for honest answers either, you're just firing cheap shots at people you clearly don't like.
Thanks Spincycle, I couldn't have said it better myself.
And PV, FYI the event was completely non partisan.
I will provide links to the weekly newspaper coverage (should be up later today)
BTW there will be video of the event speeches made by the all the candidates (including Peter's address). It will be posted on the riding association website soon.
While I am sure that the event was non-partisan unfortunately your discription was not. I was looking to hear about who actually showed up and what was said. Mojo, you originally just gave excuses as to why Peter wasn't there. I had hoped that this forum would be about various events across the province, was there a discussion, observations, was there a sighting of a jolly fellow with reindeers and sliegh, anything, especially from these non-partisan events. Some context was what I was looking for.
I appreciate that Mojo and Spin clearly have decided on the top of their ballot and that that person would be the same person who is at the very bottom of mine.
That said, I am paying attention to this forum to find out what people are thinking and doing around the province to engage in this historic moment.
Moreover, how I can engage in this process as one-member with one-vote on a preferential ballot. I want to hear what these contenders are saying about a range of issues and more about who these individuals are as people not just what they put on glossy postcards.
I want to know that when I look back on this in a few years, that when I cast my ballot, I made an informed decision about who is going to lead and why I wanted to follow.
Feel free to attack, but that is the honest answer.
... I had hoped that this forum would be about various events across the province, was there a discussion, observations, ... That said, I am paying attention to this forum to find out what people are thinking and doing around the province to engage in this historic moment...
I want to hear what these contenders are saying about a range of issues and more about who these individuals are as people not just what they put on glossy postcards. ... Feel free to attack, but that is the honest answer.
I agree with the bits I have quoted above. But they're hardly consonant with the tone of what you right in between the quoted parts.
If you really want to hear what people are saying, then I would suggest not name-calling people who have stated that they prefer a candidate that you put at the bottom of your list. Please don't treat people posting here like they are stupid / immoral / losers becuase they have made different choices than you about their leadership candidate preference. I am constantly amazed at how "tone deaf" posters on this board are (not unique to Babble, but nevertheless easily found here) about how strangers read their postings. How could anyone take your comments as anything but demeaning the intelligence of anyone who suports the candidate that you do not support?
I certainly support different opinions being expressed here, as I do in societal debate generally. But expressing one's own opinions need not questions the intelligence / morality / humanity of anyone with a different opinion.
Ok. PV et al.... www.ndpparrysoundmuskoka.ca
Videos are up.
Media Coverage (so far in the weeklies waiting for the bi-weekly)
Pre & Post Coverage.
Happy Holidays
Mojoroad
I attended the women's caucas, and we voted for a couple of resolutions, went to the coalition rally, had the 4 ONDP leader candidates talk and answer questions from the floor, and held elections.
I got elected as the Women's caucas communication coordinator ~ a position that had not been filled in a couple of years.
We took our women's caucas banner to the rally and got some great pics. It was a very fun, rewarding, but cold event. On the way back to our convention, we went by the conservative (no coalition rally). Now that was weird. Whereas at the coalition now rally there was lots of music, people, and BUSSES, at the latter, not one yellow school bus in sight (just big shiny cars) and under 500 people - what a dud of a con rally. I guess cons just send money and go shopping instead of coming out and giving face time.
______________________________________________________________________________________ Our kids live together and play together in their communities, let's have them learn together too!
Peterborough, having been left off the official list of debates, staged their own event Dec. 4. All four candidates showed up.
It was billed as a meet-and-greet with three minute speeches. Bisson went first, said "you can't be serious," and gave a rousing seven-minute speech. So the others were also given seven minutes each. All spoke well. Horwath was almost as lively as Bisson. Tabuns and Prue recited platitudes, I thought, but I may be biased.
Bisson's speech was the typical personal comments you would expect from a northern trade unionist: why his life led him into politics, spliced with references to what the NDP is all about. Great stuff. Horwath was similar, giving us some of the flavour of Hamilton labour politics, a tough battleground. She isn't quite as brash as Sheila Copps, thank heavens, but tougher than she sounds on TV where she must have been told to smile and tone it down for the cameras. Remember she had made such a name for herself on Hamilton City Council, a tough room to work, that when she went provincial she more than doubled the NDP vote share in six months. In 2003 we lost in Hamilton East with a percent of 29.42%. Six months later she won the by-election with 63.6%.
I would tell you what Tabuns and Prue said, but nothing comes to mind. Prue did not mention Catholic schools.
Thanks Wilf. Suspicions confirmed on Tabuns...and his supporters from headquarters.
HUH?
Thanks Wilf. Suspicions confirmed on Tabuns...and his supporters from headquarters.
Can you elaborate on this post?
The next few Leadership Candidate fora are:
January 10 • 5th Official Debate • Timmins • 2-4pm
Howard Johnson's Inn and Conference Centre
January 17 • 6th Official Debate Hamilton • 2-4pm
Hamilton Convention Centre, Albion Room
January 24 • 7th Official Debate • London • 2-4pm
Hilton London, Queen Victoria Room
January 25 • 8th Official Debate • Windsor • 2-4pm
U of W, CAW Student Centre, Commons Room
Anyone planning on attending?
As far as elaboration goes in regards to GV's post, I mean lets be honest the only person that has a clue what their message is, is Peter Tabuns. Right now everyone has been playing catch up to his ideas.
Peter has been on the 'cutting edge' of debate and has been providing real ideas for everyone. If fact you can tell by their websites, who are really in this game to win. There are only a few candidates that have a detailed platform on their website, and only one candidate that explicitly lays out his vision for Ontario.
You can't even find anything about ideas on Gilles Website. Michaels has some very focused ideas but none of them actually talk about vision for the future. All I see is the "Brutal Amalgamation comment" and the need for fundraising. Of course theres a need, but whats the plan of attack. I am tired of hearing just lip-service to the issues we need to have some follow-through. Looking at who walks the walk and talks the talk Peter is the only one that has even come close to delivering on that. None of the other candidates have been seeking input from the ridings, particularly ridings where we lose.Take it for what its worth, some will do the work and some wont, you pick who will do the work. I think that I have because its already been proved to me.
THe Leadership Forum in Hamilton yesterday was attended by about 300 people, with the applause distinctly loudest for Horwath -- not surprising given the location.
I heard nothing that I didn't hear at the first forum at Provincial Council in Toronto. Forgive my prediction, but I expect the future forums to be equally repetitive in terms of content. The question format was identical, and the chances of something different coming out are accordingly slim.
They're all running for leadership of the same political party -- I don't expect to hear policy differences among them (excepting Prue's decision to go down the separate school funding road -- though I did find it strange that he wants a debate within the party but pointedly refused to asnwer what his position in the debate would be).
In terms of communication/presentation skills, Horwath and Bisson were animated while Prue and Tabuns were remarkably flat. All come across as decent people, but Horwath did best in my opinion to "speak to the people".
Anyone else there with an opinion on the debate or if there was a winner.
I wish I read this post first. I caught a line from another poster about Mr. Prue's refusal to answer a question on the Separate School Funding issue.
Since I have heard that twice, was the highlight of the night?
Also, was there any other issue or topic that gathered support or applause?
Did the Local Paper cover the event? Was there anything on the Local Television Media?
THe Leadership Forum in Hamilton yesterday was attended by about 300 people, with the applause distinctly loudest for Horwath -- not surprising given the location.
I heard nothing that I didn't hear at the first forum at Provincial Council in Toronto. Forgive my prediction, but I expect the future forums to be equally repetitive in terms of content. The question format was identical, and the chances of something different coming out are accordingly slim.
They're all running for leadership of the same political party -- I don't expect to hear policy differences among them (excepting Prue's decision to go down the separate school funding road -- though I did find it strange that he wants a debate within the party but pointedly refused to asnwer what his position in the debate would be).
In terms of communication/presentation skills, Horwath and Bisson were animated while Prue and Tabuns were remarkably flat. All come across as decent people, but Horwath did best in my opinion to "speak to the people".
I wasn't there, but I can guess that the debates are pretty similar in content....up to this point at least (I've attended 2). I suspect that as the clock ticks down, things will start to change however.
Anyhow, for something a little different, check out this website made entirely by grass roots Tabuns folk....
http://meetpete.ca/Video-Journal/
The 1'st video is the campaign kick-off, but it's the other 2 that are very interesting. IMHO, it shows the other kinds of leadership qualities Tabuns has that you just can't get from a structured debate.
So, did the forum take place in Windsor yesterday? (I presume No, given who I saw on the NDP benches in news reports about the Sunday afternoon vote at Queen's Park.)
Does anyone have any feedback about the forum in London on Saturday? I'm curious to hear any feedback. (Hopefully, in a less petty-personal tone than has been too common in related threads...)
In was in London (and, yes, Windsor was postponed -- rather than cancelled).
School funding didn't come up, but other than that it could have been the Hamilton debate on repeat. Once again, the candidates agreed on almost everything, so it came down to who people liked. Unlike Hamilton, support for each candidate appeared to be pretty evenly divided between the candidates.
I'm partial to Andrea Horwath, and I've been quite happy with her performances in the debates so far.
I'm partial to Andrea Horwath myself. Forward thinking with a return to roots.
I gotta say Peter has the best vision for the party. Hes the ONLY one that has articulated a plan for the economy. All the others are talking about it but dont have solutions or directions for the future. Something to think about when the time comes to vote.
BTW when do the mail in ballots come in?
You should get your ballot package in the mail around mid-February.
Jamie, if I could make a small suggestion, it might help your cause if you didn't keep suggesting that Peter is the ONLY candidate to do something or say something. You don't have to knock down the very people who (whatever the result) he'll have to work with after March 7.
I was talking to a supporter of a different candidate yesterday who suggested that your campaign might even appreciate it if you dialed back the intensity of your postings here on babble. Enthusiasm is a great thing, but too much enthusiasm can turn people off.
On the other hand, wearing my Horwath-supporter hat, I probably should be telling you to please keep up the good work
There has been a tonne of mudslinging going on, on these forums. I have been taking a little bit of an "enthusiastic" tone, but that is certainly based on the fact that it hasn't been a very good debate. Some specific supporters of campaigns have been attacking my candidate for example, and a lot of my response has been based on defending my candidate.I don't think its fair to say that I am the only one being "enthusiastic" on this forum.
But I can certainly play ball. I just hope that the same gesture is extended.
With that said, has anyone heard if and when the Windsor Leadership debate is going to be rescheduled?That's a rather charitable reading of history, given that it's been your 'enthusiasm' for mudslinging that prompted supporters of the other candidates to sling back.
It might be convenient and expedient for you to say you were only 'defending' the candidate you support, but it's more than a little dishonest not to acknowledge that you were the one doing the attacking in the first place.
It might also be slightly amusing and effective to wonder aloud which candidate also likes to rewrite history to their own benefit, but I'd prefer to take the high road.
I've heard Monday, February 9 mentioned, but have yet to receive any official confirmation of that date.
And, I don't really care "who started it".
Certainly you are entitled to your opinion foxy.
Keep fighting the good fight
back at ya, and stay truthy!
Truthiness is in my blood.
(for all you Colbert watchers)
I'm having difficulty deciding whom to support. I think its great that the ONDP have four excellent candidates to become the next leader. I've worked for both Prue and Tabuns on election campaigns and there are things that really impress me about each candidate.
At the moment I'm leaning toward Horwath, but that could change. I like the idea of having a younger female leader, but that is definatley not a deciding factor. I like Andrea's fire. She catches the audience up and sweeps them along with her when she talks. She dissapointed me a bit by siding with Sid Ryan on the OMERS debate, but she's done enough subsequent good that I'm willing to let that one go.
Whoever wins, if they make good use of the other contenders the ONDP will have a strong team going forward.
As far as elaboration goes in regards to GV's post, I mean lets be honest the only person that has a clue what their message is, is Peter Tabuns. Right now everyone has been playing catch up to his ideas.
The NDP has had some excellent leaders of the party never win election. Ontarians have time and time again turned their backs on the NDP's message for social democracy and competitive economies in favour of "the Bay Street" message. The NDP is more than just one leader and one person. We wouldnt be electing just Peter Tabuns but a whole team of people with excellent ideas on how to turn this province around and create a competitive and green social democracy. Right now, Bay Street is represented by 22 percent of registered voter support in both Toronto and Ottawa. I think it's time to put someone with a real plan to unseat those pretenders to the throne in Toronto. McGuinty doesnt say much and is certainly not a master of debate himself. His Bay Street backers made sure that he never had to make more than a grand total of two public appearances leading up to the diversionary squabbling over school funding in the last week of the campaign. I think the time has come to create some excitment and to appeal to younger voters and the diseanfranchised voters across Ontario. People want reasons to vote. We have to get the message out and do what it takes to win. They're all good social democrats, Tabuns ideally but Prue especially. Yes we can.
Well I will say this, whoever wins (my hope is Peter) we will have a very strong team working around our leader. It is going to reinvigorate all Ontario New Democrats. I believe that this convention and new leadership will actually make some big changes in the organization of the ONDP and I think we are all welcoming of that.
Alert to Scarberians and others:
Scarborough Debate
Thursday, January 29 • Scarborough • 7:30 PM
Scarborough Civic Centre - Council Chambers
140 Borough Drive
Visit http://www.ScarboroughNDP.org for details.
Having attended some of the debates I have yet to hear Tabuns talk about a future plan for Ontario that is grounded in reality. To get the economy going again we need union jobs in manufacturing. An energy economy may appeal to a misguided green voter but it does not deal with the present.
There are few politicians with a clue about Manufacturing. As for getting those good union jobs. That will only happen when Union workers bother to help their unions grow. Manufacturing has been sacrificed by Consecutive Conservative and Liberal Governments. And the position of the Federal Government also aids in the de industrialization of Ontario.
I have no problem with going to a Green Economy. What I have heard past the noise of the School funding, is that both Tabuns and Horvath have identified that global corporations are purchasing and closing the Canadian operations in order to gain technology and contracts for their offshore operations.
I haven't heard Mr. Prue speak to this, (No clippings I have seen anyways), and I believe Mr Bisson has an understanding as many of the problems in Forestry are remarkable similar to manufacturing.
One thing is certain, only the NDP was aware of the manufacturing crises, and that was back in 2007 when other parties where still living in la la land.
The NDP's *finally* but the video of at least one debate online - last weekend's London debate.
I believe there will be a video of the Scarborough debate.
Does anyone have the details for the ONDP Windsor Debate rescheduling?
Monday, February 9 • 11th official debate • Windsor • 7-9pm
Place Concorde - Salon Richelieu • Reception at 6:30pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=52939390740