Jeff Itcush Mount Royal NDP

15 posts / 0 new

Thu, 2011-04-07 13:19

Elvi

Last night I was at the campaign office launch of Jeff Itcush

Itcush is running for the NDP in Mount Royal. There was standing room only. After the first wave of people started to trickle out, a second wave seemed to come in. There were several cultural community representatives present. Thomas Mulcair also spoke.

It seemed like his campaign team was experienced and talented. The office was a suite of rooms that looked like a political "war room". Itcush spoke about the budget, refugie and immigration issues and youth.

I've met Itcush before and was pretty impressed. There was a cadre of his former students who were swarming him. I have to admit, its kind of exciting to see a bunch of young people wanting to do politics on a Saturday night. As I said in another post, I like this synergy in a political movement so I'll volunteer with him. It was all really positive for a cynic like me. He drew from all over the demographic pyramid.

If this is how the NDP is shaping-up in Quebec it could be exciting. Not being much of a political hack, I'd like to know what's happening with the NDP in other Quebec ridings,

Elvi

Issues Pages:

Elections

Regions:

Sun, 2011-03-27 14:56

DaveW

I e-mailed with congratulations and best wishes at [email protected]

and the mail bounced back as Unreceived ...

anyway, hope he does better than usual, in a very difficult riding; despite the proximity to Outremont, it is a world removed.

Sun, 2011-03-27 21:49

West Coast Greeny

Strangely, I heard the Conservatives were targeting Mount Royal this election. They're think is literally, 30% of the riding is Jewish, we support Israel, ergo, the Jews will vote for us.

Tue, 2011-03-29 01:09

Lord Palmerston

The only foreign policy difference between Harper and Ignatieff is that of Canada's failed s bid for the UN Security Council...I don't see how many extra votes Harper can get because of that.

Tue, 2011-03-29 21:14

Anonymouse

Itcush is a committed Zionist and committed NDPer and social democrat. Irwin Cotler is also a Zionist. So any attempt by the Conservatives to herd people into a pro-Israel/anti-Israel vote represents a stroll into a crowded field.

Wed, 2011-03-30 09:23

The Woolfman

Seems pretty well all mainstream politicians are committed Zionists.

Wed, 2011-03-30 12:00

Stockholm

I don't know how many mainstream politicians are "Committed" Zionists. I think a lot are just passively pro-Israel and don't think about it much.

Fri, 2011-04-01 00:05

RevolutionPlease RevolutionPlease's picture

Stockholm wrote:

I don't know how many mainstream politicians are "Committed" Zionists. I think a lot are just passively pro-Israel and don't think about it much.

It's definitely the safe political stance, isn't it. god help us if people started voting for politicians with non-conformist leanings.

Thu, 2011-04-07 22:10

Anonymouse

I didn't knpw much about the Con candidate but this article makes him seem very well connected and well-known. Being a Lubavitcher will also help. Mont-Royal could be a more competitive race than usual.

Fri, 2011-04-08 02:38

#10

Stockholm

I don't see how being a Lubavitcher would be any help. The vast majority of Canadian Jews regard the Lubavitchers and some kind of crazy cult of religious freaks. It would be like saying that so and so would sweep the "Catholic vote" in downtown Montreal because they were part of Opus Dei!

Fri, 2011-04-08 09:05

#11

Anonymouse

Meh. The Lubavitcher's are a big, growing, and mobilised group. They have emerged as a major political force in Israel despite being a Brooklyn based movement. If there is going to be a bloc vote, I would expect it to come from a group like them. But yeah, they may/should turn off some Jews: link

Fri, 2011-04-08 10:56

#12

Stockholm

Jews are 30% of Mount Royal and I would estimate that at most 10% of them would have any connection or sympathy for a radical extremist group like Lubavitch (ie: 3% of the riding)

Fri, 2011-04-08 11:33

#13

Anonymouse

I would call them evangelical, (socially conservative,) but not radical extremist. They have a lot of mainstream acceptance around the world these days.

Sun, 2011-04-10 23:36

#14

Lord Palmerston

From the CJN article:

Quote:
In Outremont riding, the Chassidim were noticeably absent at Liberal Martin Cauchon’s campaign launch. The former cabinet minister is trying to take back the seat he held for 11 years from Mulcair.

Chassidic community members did attend Harper’s speech to 750 across town in Dollard des Ormeaux March 30, his first campaign stop in the Montreal area.

Harper said there: “Our party has and always will stand beside our Jewish friends…”

This sounds like good news for Mulcair!

Sun, 2011-04-17 16:39

#15

Lord Palmerston

Apparently this Zajdel character is this really strong candidate who is giving Irwin Cotler a run for his money...though I just think this just the Tories blowing smoke. Even if Chantal Hebert thinks Mount Royal is a riding to watch.