Home » Babble » current events » canadian politics
babble-intro-img
babble is rabble.ca's discussion board but it's much more than that: it's an online community for folks who just won't shut up. It's a place to tell each other — and the world — what's up with our work and campaigns.

Who are u supporting for NDP Leader, how will u mark your ballot, and why? #7

108 replies [Last post]

Comments

NorthReport
Online
Joined: Jul 6 2008
March 2, 2012 - 7:32pm
#31

Too bad some NDP supporters here at babble don't do the same thing, which is quite pathetic, eh!

NDP leadership candidates defend competitor

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/02/ndp-leadership-candidates-defend-co...

 


Stockholm
Offline
Joined: Sep 29 2002
March 2, 2012 - 7:31pm
#32

Its a bit hypocritical for Dewar to try to sound like the boy scout in his message when just two weeks ago his campaign put out that mass e-mail full of not so subtle digs at other candidates who are "not real New Democrats" or who are planning secret purges at party HQ.


Howard
Offline
Joined: Aug 31 2011
March 2, 2012 - 7:33pm
#33

Stockholm wrote:

Its a bit hypocritical for Dewar to try to sound like the boy scout in his message when just two weeks ago his campaign put out that mass e-mail full of not so subtle digs at other candidates who are "not real New Democrats" or who are planning secret purges at party HQ.

Preach!


Howard
Offline
Joined: Aug 31 2011
March 2, 2012 - 7:36pm
#34

-


socialdemocrati...
Offline
Joined: Jan 10 2012
March 2, 2012 - 7:41pm
#35

I dunno, it seemed like almost everyone here thought it was a really lame ass smear attempt. Nobody thought it had any legitimacy.


flight from kamakura
Offline
Joined: Nov 24 2006
March 2, 2012 - 7:45pm
#36

i really like that dewar/cullen would do that, it helps us out long run, no matter who wins.  we can't let these cpc toads get into our discussion.  not cool for topp.


Brachina
Offline
Joined: Feb 15 2012
March 2, 2012 - 7:52pm
#37
NorthReport wrote:

Too bad some NDP supporters here at babble don't do the same thing, which is quite pathetic, eh!

NDP leadership candidates defend competitor

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/02/ndp-leadership-candidates-defend-co...

 

Anyone who believes team Harper needs to shake out the cobwebs. Not just on this issue, but as a basic general principle. As for Topp being vindictive I doubt it, for Brian this is just business, he desperately wants to win and so he does what he thinks will land him in the Prime Minister's chair. Its not personal, just the result of cold calucations. Topp isn't going to push away his best asset in Quebec, he'd try to ride Mulcair to victory in Quebec.

jill.inottawa
Offline
Joined: Feb 28 2012
March 2, 2012 - 8:05pm
#38

I have no idea who to vote for now. I was going to vote for Mulcair but i just can't get behind his position in the Middle East. I am seriously leaning toward Nash, even though I am not sure i would actually want her to win. Sigh.


jill.inottawa
Offline
Joined: Feb 28 2012
March 2, 2012 - 8:05pm
#39

I have no idea who to vote for now. I was going to vote for Mulcair but i just can't get behind his position in the Middle East. I am seriously leaning toward Nash, even though I am not sure i would actually want her to win. Sigh.


RevolutionPlease
Offline
Joined: Oct 15 2007
March 2, 2012 - 9:35pm
#40
Ashton Nash Mulcair

Hunky_Monkey
Offline
Joined: Jun 11 2004
March 2, 2012 - 9:47pm
#41
jill.inottawa wrote:

I have no idea who to vote for now. I was going to vote for Mulcair but i just can't get behind his position in the Middle East. I am seriously leaning toward Nash, even though I am not sure i would actually want her to win. Sigh.

What is his position on the Middle East and how is it different than the other candidates?

Hunky_Monkey
Offline
Joined: Jun 11 2004
March 2, 2012 - 9:54pm
#42
Stockholm wrote:

Its a bit hypocritical for Dewar to try to sound like the boy scout in his message when just two weeks ago his campaign put out that mass e-mail full of not so subtle digs at other candidates who are "not real New Democrats" or who are planning secret purges at party HQ.

Do you find it a bit hypocritical for Topp to bash Mulcair as a "Blarite" while wrapping himself in the Romanow Saskatchewan NDP flag?

janfromthebruce
Offline
Joined: Apr 24 2007
March 2, 2012 - 10:12pm
#43

just voting Topp. I don't have any 2nd or 3rd choices. I'll see what happens in "real time"


DSloth
Offline
Joined: Apr 26 2011
March 2, 2012 - 10:54pm
#44

Stockholm wrote:

Its a bit hypocritical for Dewar to try to sound like the boy scout in his message when just two weeks ago his campaign put out that mass e-mail full of not so subtle digs at other candidates who are "not real New Democrats" or who are planning secret purges at party HQ.

I don't think doing the right thing now makes him a hypocrite. He's a politician, every statement he releases to the press in the middle of a Leadership campaign is by definition "political."

In this case though it's smart politics and a classy gesture.  


philwalkerp
Offline
Joined: Feb 5 2012
March 3, 2012 - 1:02am
#45

I just want to clear something up.

Fair is fair, and I have been complaining here that the only things I've ever heard about Thomas Mulcair on proportional representation has been anectdotal heresay from someone whose "friend heard him say something at a pubic meeting somewhere" etc etc. Certainly not something you can take to the bank.

But now Thomas Mulcair has finally made a committment in a survey conducted on candidate positions on electoral reform:

Quote:

If elected Prime Minister would you, in your first mandate, undertake a process that includes public consultation to make the federal electoral system fairer and more proportional to the popular vote?

Yes.

 

It isn't the most stellar survey answer given by a candidate, but it's a start. Our ailing and abused democracy certainly needs all the help it can get right now, and I hope we can hold Thomas Mulcair to his commitment to help fix it. Remembering the NDP government in Ontario we may only get one chance at this.


Winston
Offline
Joined: Feb 17 2007
March 3, 2012 - 1:10am
#46

philwalkerp wrote:

Quote:

If elected Prime Minister would you, in your first mandate, undertake a process that includes public consultation to make the federal electoral system fairer and more proportional to the popular vote?

Yes.

It isn't the most stellar survey answer given by a candidate, but it's a start. Our ailing and abused democracy certainly needs all the help it can get right now, and I hope we can hold Thomas Mulcair to his commitment to help fix it. Remembering the NDP government in Ontario we may only get one chance at this.

First rule of interviewing: if you're looking for an elaborate response, don't ask a question that elicits a yes/no answer. :)


Idealistic Prag...
Offline
Joined: Aug 29 2011
March 3, 2012 - 2:33am
#47

jill.inottawa wrote:

I have no idea who to vote for now. I was going to vote for Mulcair but i just can't get behind his position in the Middle East. I am seriously leaning toward Nash, even though I am not sure i would actually want her to win. Sigh.

I am doing similar kinds of contortions. It's very weird that the "which candidates I like" and "which candidates I would actually like to see as leader" groups are not at all the same thing, but it's making me go cross-eyed.


Howard
Offline
Joined: Aug 31 2011
March 3, 2012 - 3:16pm
#48

-


doofy
Offline
Joined: Nov 11 2011
March 3, 2012 - 6:02pm
#49

jill in ottawa:

FYI: Brian Topp was asked directly during a townhall in Toronto on March 1 whether he would support boycotting Israel. He gave a very categorical NO. In other words, the same position as Mulcair. It would surprise me if any of the candidates differed on this.


philwalkerp
Offline
Joined: Feb 5 2012
March 3, 2012 - 8:09pm
#50

Winston wrote:

First rule of interviewing: if you're looking for an elaborate response, don't ask a question that elicits a yes/no answer. :)

 

I don't know who the interviewer was, but I'm quite satisfied with Mulcair's one word answer. Can't get much clearer than that. It is a refreshing change from most politicians answers to questions (after 500 words, you don't even know what they said...)


Aristotleded24
Offline
Joined: May 24 2005
March 4, 2012 - 11:49am
#51

Howard wrote:
I'm actually a bit worried about Topp winning. I think he has the capacity to be vindictive and he has certainly thrown elbows in this race. Topp also knows that once you've won, you've won, and I don't think he'd be shy flexing his power. Mulcair on the other hand has taken a lot of hits during the campaign from inside the party, from all directions. It seems to me that he would have the biggest team-building exercise on his hands and is probably aware of it. Evenso, he has been endorsed by more than 40 NDP MPs, including a former rival. Not bad for team-building. How he has campaigned seems to me indicative of how he would behave as leader. He hasn't tried to "crush" his opponents or intimidate candidates out of the race. He hasn't campaigned negatively with the exception of 1 comment about Topp not having lived in Québec in decades at the very beginning of the race. Nash has run a very positive campaign as well. With the exception of a few attacks on Dewar and Topp in the debates, she has publicly taken the high road. Nash also comes across as a genuine, nice person. I'm not worried about her ability to "play well with others."

I actually believe that the left flank of the NDP might be better off if Mulcair wins over Topp. At least in Mulcair's case, the left flank knows that Mulcair is not on "their team," so they can strategize around that, and Mulcair would have to reach out to them in order to do well. Topp, on the other hand, is clearly saying things he knows the left flank of the party wants to hear, but IMO he knows who he has to cater to, and the left could end up marginalized because they think he's "one of them." Topp was in high places under Romanow's government in Saskatchewan, and Romanow was no lefty.


DSloth
Offline
Joined: Apr 26 2011
March 4, 2012 - 11:58am
#52

philwalkerp wrote:

I don't know who the interviewer was, but I'm quite satisfied with Mulcair's one word answer. Can't get much clearer than that. It is a refreshing change from most politicians answers to questions (after 500 words, you don't even know what they said...)

Brevity from a lawyer is indeed a rare and beautiful thing.

I also like how Niki managed to answer the entire questionaire with three words. 


janfromthebruce
Offline
Joined: Apr 24 2007
March 4, 2012 - 12:25pm
#53

The left flank would not be better off with a leader who wants to move the party to the centre. And I do believe Topp is on the left and to suggest other wise is not have read anything he wrote before throwing his name into the leadership hat.

 

Aristotleded24 wrote:

Howard wrote:
I'm actually a bit worried about Topp winning. I think he has the capacity to be vindictive and he has certainly thrown elbows in this race. Topp also knows that once you've won, you've won, and I don't think he'd be shy flexing his power. Mulcair on the other hand has taken a lot of hits during the campaign from inside the party, from all directions. It seems to me that he would have the biggest team-building exercise on his hands and is probably aware of it. Evenso, he has been endorsed by more than 40 NDP MPs, including a former rival. Not bad for team-building. How he has campaigned seems to me indicative of how he would behave as leader. He hasn't tried to "crush" his opponents or intimidate candidates out of the race. He hasn't campaigned negatively with the exception of 1 comment about Topp not having lived in Québec in decades at the very beginning of the race. Nash has run a very positive campaign as well. With the exception of a few attacks on Dewar and Topp in the debates, she has publicly taken the high road. Nash also comes across as a genuine, nice person. I'm not worried about her ability to "play well with others."

I actually believe that the left flank of the NDP might be better off if Mulcair wins over Topp. At least in Mulcair's case, the left flank knows that Mulcair is not on "their team," so they can strategize around that, and Mulcair would have to reach out to them in order to do well. Topp, on the other hand, is clearly saying things he knows the left flank of the party wants to hear, but IMO he knows who he has to cater to, and the left could end up marginalized because they think he's "one of them." Topp was in high places under Romanow's government in Saskatchewan, and Romanow was no lefty.

______________________________________________________________________________________ Our kids live together and play together in their communities, let's have them learn together too!


JeffWells
Online
Joined: Dec 15 2003
March 4, 2012 - 1:14pm
#54

Aristotleded24 wrote:

I actually believe that the left flank of the NDP might be better off if Mulcair wins over Topp. At least in Mulcair's case, the left flank knows that Mulcair is not on "their team," so they can strategize around that, and Mulcair would have to reach out to them in order to do well. Topp, on the other hand, is clearly saying things he knows the left flank of the party wants to hear, but IMO he knows who he has to cater to, and the left could end up marginalized because they think he's "one of them." Topp was in high places under Romanow's government in Saskatchewan, and Romanow was no lefty.

In total agreement. IMO Topp has proven he isn't fit to lead the party.

Mulcair hasn't been pandering to the base, which actually makes me more inclined to trust that he means what he says. And as leader he won't be receiving a blank cheque from the membership. If he doesn't know that yet, he'll discover it.

I voted electronically yesterday, largely so I could get off the phone faster. My final ranking:

 

1, Saganash

2. Ashton

3. Mulcair

4. Nash

5. Topp

6. Cullen

7. Singh

8. Dewar


NorthReport
Online
Joined: Jul 6 2008
March 4, 2012 - 1:17pm
#55

Excellent ballot selection JW.


NorthReport
Online
Joined: Jul 6 2008
March 4, 2012 - 1:36pm
#56

So there you have it folks. Wink

Beginning of the End Games: Paths to Win in the NDP Leadership Race

http://www.punditsguide.ca/2012/02/beginning-of-the-end-games-paths-to-w...

 

 


Aristotleded24
Offline
Joined: May 24 2005
March 4, 2012 - 10:07pm
#57

JeffWells wrote:
I voted electronically yesterday, largely so I could get off the phone faster. My final ranking:

 

1, Saganash

We still have that option? If so, we should organize a write-in campaign! He can still win!


JeffWells
Online
Joined: Dec 15 2003
March 4, 2012 - 10:25pm
#58

Aristotleded24 wrote:

JeffWells wrote:
I voted electronically yesterday, largely so I could get off the phone faster. My final ranking:

 

1, Saganash

We still have that option? If so, we should organize a write-in campaign! He can still win!

 

I don't have any confirmation of this, but I suspect since he's withdrawn, his name won't go forward past the first ballot, no matter how many votes he gets.

 


Hunky_Monkey
Offline
Joined: Jun 11 2004
March 4, 2012 - 11:19pm
#59
janfromthebruce wrote:

The left flank would not be better off with a leader who wants to move the party to the centre. And I do believe Topp is on the left and to suggest other wise is not have read anything he wrote before throwing his name into the leadership hat.

Who wants to move to the centre? No one. I haven't heard any candidate say that. I've heard one candidate say that about another... doesn't make it so.

Aristotleded24
Offline
Joined: May 24 2005
March 4, 2012 - 11:34pm
#60

Hunky_Monkey wrote:
Who wants to move to the centre? No one. I haven't heard any candidate say that.

What makes you think a candidate who wants to move to the centre would say that?


Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Login or register to post comments