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Apologies I haven't read through all the threads. Not surprising that Olivia's not running though. Quiet foolish for the media to just assume Jack's wife was a candidate. I wouldn't be surprised if Mike ran in Jack's old riding though.
I see Megan Leslie as the left's best option now (I don't know how her french is) but I don't think Libby would be a very good leader. She's great and all, but not a leader. As far as Mulcair goes, there would definitely be an anti-Mulcair crowd from the left as he is to the right of the party. I would expect him to be a terrible PM, we would be fighting him from day one in the labour movement and social movements. I'll definitely be in the anti-Mulcair crowd. I don't see any other potential candidate having an anti-crowd. A Mulcair bid makes me think of a Gerard Kennedy bid for the Liberal Parties (with less resistance from the party establishment).
Seems like Topp is Layton and the establishment's pick if I'm not mistaken? I'd give him pretty good odds as I don't see anyone else capable of getting above the fray. But it's still plenty early and things can change.
Perhaps you could learn to spell his name properly before trashing him. It's MuLcair.
I've seen a lot of this, mostly from the media, but a little from NDP circles too.
The only thing Libby lacks to become leader is French. Admittedly, that is a crucial trait. But in a hypothetical situation where she was fluent in both languages, Libby would be a great leader. I lived in her riding for a few years in my BC days, and I was struck with the support and respect she had from New Democrats from across the spectrum. She's from the left, but I always saw an ability to work within the rather big tent that is the BC NDP.
She has experience, political smarts, strong speaking skills, and an ability to build consensus. People who meet her, like her.
What else do you need to be leader?
Other than French that is.
"Perhaps you could learn to spell his name properly before trashing him. It's MuLcair."
Thanks, I spelled Gerard's name wrong too. Drinks discussing this topic-home-check rabble-rambling post.
Hey don't get me wrong I think Libby's great. But yes French is an issue and I don't think she knows Quebec that well. In all honestly there are just little things that stick out, like flip flopping over the Israel/Palestine comment on that ridiculous video. I find her indecisive. I know it's all silly and I would never bash her or anything, I just don't think she'd be a great leader for the party. MuLcair I'm happy to "trash" though.
Come bury us with praise. I smell a troll.
That is what I heard too.
Neither the NDP nor Canada are good enough to have Libby as leader. "Indecisive." What claptrap. There are few people, let alone MPs, who have been as committed and driven as Libby on the issues she takes up. I suppose she's not as "decisive" as "strong" leaders like Bush--but then "indecisiveness" is a feminine trait, isn't it?
Bingo, Catchfire.
Globe's view
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ndp-solidarity-cracks-over-role-of-unions-in-picking-leader/article2153405/
The internal tussle comes as the Conservative Party is accusing the NDP of breaking fundraising rules at its party convention in Vancouver by accepting union sponsorships. The governing Conservatives and the opposition NDP have already faced off over major labour disputes this year, which shows the importance of the next NDP leader's position on the role of organized labour in the party and the economy.
Mr. Mulcair, who comes from the provincial Liberal party in Quebec, is stating that union members should be treated like everyone else at the convention. His statement signals a desire to expand the NDP's reach beyond its traditional allies in the labour movement and into other progressive elements of Canadian society.
"Why unions and not environmental groups?" Mr. Mulcair asked about the leadership rules. "If [unions] want to help sell cards to their members, that's fine, but I don't think there should be a reserved number of delegates for unions."
During the Outremont by-election I spoke with a law student from McGill who was campaigning for the Liberals. I asked him about the prospects and he predicted Mulciar's victory long before the polls indicated he would win. He gave a number of reasons as I remember:
1. Mulcair was very respected as a provincial cabinet minister, particularly when he resigned on a matter of principle when Charest was pushing a condo develoment in a provincial park.
2. The team he had assembled. Mulcair had great support amongst my friend's classmates at McGill. He said "they love him and will do anything for him."
3. "He is a real thoroughbred." Very smart and presents himself very well in the media.
4. "His opponents are afraid of him."
After Mulcair's impressive win I paid closer attention to him and all these assessments have been born out. Look at some of his clips on Youtube. There was a half hour interview on more personal matters that Catherine Clark did on CPAC ( I can't find it now) but it shows a warmth and charm completely out of sync with the recent smears against his character. He can be magnificent in question period. You can see the Cons run for cover.
Two more anecdotes. I spent some time in Outremont in the last week of the spring campaign. I wore a Jack Layton button into a cafe in Mile End. People in tables to either side saw it and engaged me in discussions about the election. They all loved Jack but they revered Mulcair at least as much.
I also visited Mulcair's campaign office twice. I didn't meet him but the loyalty of his team was palpable. I met a young woman who turned out to be a candidate in one of the suburban ridings. She is now an MP. I asked her why she wasn't campaigning in her own riding. This was at the point when the party was soaring in the Quebec polls and when she had obviously had a chance to win. It was also when a local poll showed Mulcair 22 points ahead with no prospects of losing. She said, "It is so much more important to elect Thomas than to elect me."
I agree with Jan and Stockholm and others that the smears are really indicative of the concern his opponents in the media and other parties have for the prospect of his leadership. (Indeed I started the thread "Kneecapping the next leader" a month ago in response to this media campaign) They see what we should see beyond their swiftboating. That he is the NDP's best hope of taking power.
Good post. I have nothing against Mulclair, au contraire, and Outremont truly was the beachhead for the 2011 breakthrough by the NDP ...
but, every profile/article has some aside about his temper/ abrasiveness/ lack of Jack's charm, etc.
in mass politics, personality and charisma count, and I don't know how T.M. will come over to a general public dependent on TV, basically, for its political news.
At this point, the English-language media will never admit that Mulcair has charm or charisma, so people will have to make their mind up on that count for themselves. In the early days of his leadership, and even as time went on, the media often slammed Jack as well (too urban, too slick, too much like a used car salesman; he was also attacked for his lack of clarity on the Clarity Act, and for his "homeless" comment on Paul Martin). For a long time, many in the media wouldn't admit that he had charisma or strength as a leader (especially in contrast to various lackluster Liberal leaders).
This last point will be a convenient stick to beat many a leadership candidate with, and eventually the leader. No one will ever be seen as having it and any lack of success will be explained as being the result of a lack of it.
I haven't made my mind up about the leadership question or Mulcair, (or any of the candidates, in fact, since the leadership race is not yet underway), but there is no evidence so far that Mulcair lacks the ability to connect with people or that he is an unpleasant person. This is all media spin.
For instance, some people have implied that it was "arrogant" of Mulcair to suggest that he had anything to do with the NDP's success in Quebec, which was apparently all Jack and Jack's personality. I don't think so; I think Mulcair shares some of the credit for raising the party's profile, enabling them to attract some good candidates and being the public face and voice of the NDP in Quebec in the years since he was elected.
That doesn't mean that there aren't good leadership candidates out there aside from Mulcair. But it's wrong to dismiss one of the strongest contenders before the race has even begun. It's especially troubling that the English media has begun doing just that. I don't even think that this is entirely intentional; it's just that journalists and spin-doctors are always looking for a narrative (and, in some cases, one that is unfavourable to the NDP), and raising complications or problems about Mulcair's potential leadership (since he is a strong contender) will provide just that opportunity.
you are certainly right about the early, 2004 vintage Layton; he was not seen as very accessible, and his debate reports were pretty negative .... including at babble
nicky, thanks for the CPAC tip... Here are links to interviews of many current leadership contenders with Catherine Clark on Beyond Politics. Most of the interviews are about their family life growing up, nice to get to the know the MPs better.
Thomas Mulcair: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&hl=e&clipID=2690
Meagan Leslie: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&h...
Peter Julian: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&h...
Paul Dewar: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&h...
Charlie Angus: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&h...
and a wonderful interview with Jack from 2008: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&h...
CBC Newsworld had a short clip this morning of Peter Mansbridge interviewing Olivia Chow - full interview will be shown tonight. Olivia looks very elegant and thoughtful.
Doesn't Mulcair usually go by "Tom"?
I wish the leadership race would officially get started - I'm tired of it already.
NOT.
Whoa, a Sara Mayo and a meades sighting. What a treat! It feels like 2007. Thanks for these interviews, SM.
ETA. And, I just noticed this, but it would be really helpful if babblers kept the troll hunting to the mods. Please don't assume new posters (or old posters) are trolls. Thanks.
Not like Harper is "Steve", I suppose.
Anyone have more info on Romeo Saganash?
How is his English? How long has he been a member/voter/supporter of the NDP? Where does he stand in the party?
He looks like a candidate that would be more attack ad proof.
Dacckon, you could try and look up his speeches in the House of Commons and watch them on ParlVU. He has very good credentials, but obviously would probably have preferred more time as an MP first.
But I would really encourage you not to think defensively about Conservative attacks, or be deterred by what you imagine them to be. We can't let that dictate our choices, though we must deal with them if and when they come.
His English and French are both great, and he also speaks Cree and Anishinabe.
http://federales2011.canoe.ca/infos/quebeccanada/federales2011/archives/...
I think my membership renewal cost me all of $5.00.
Does that entitle me to a vote?