Now Topp attacks Cullens co-operation plan, supporting what Mulcair said.
final ndp leadership debate - vancouver
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:10
#102
Boom Boom
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:11
#103
Boom Boom
Wow - Topp really scored against Cullen.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:12
#104
Ashton frustrates me. Her answers see so robotic. I really wanted to like her for the leadership. Damn-I wish Cullen's French was better and he did not hav this wacky co-operatin plan. It was interesting that Mulcair pointed out some legal problems with Cullen's plan.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:12
#105
And now Ashton attacks Cullen's cooperation plan.
I don't know what I hate more, the cooperation plan, or how much it sucks up half the air in every debate.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:13
#106
Boom Boom
"What is this 'Mr. Cullen' business, Niki? We go way back".
And Niki repeats "Mr. Cullen" again and again.
Nathan says he thinks he won't be getting any Christmas cards this year.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:14
#107
In agreement with others who are placing Topp and Nash as doing the best in this debate. Nash in particular is doing much better than last time.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:14
#108
Ashton really blew it on her questions to Cullen about his cooperation plan. Cullen came out looking and sounding grreat!
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:14
#109
Idealistic Prag...
You've got to admit it, though, Nathan's responses were good.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:14
#110
Good on Ashton for reminding Nathan that former NDP voters who vote to Conservative need to be brought back into the fold.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:15
#111
Ashton is giving a good point though, and something I know about the Prairies: a lot of voters swing between NDP and Conservative. (We don't just want to unify progressives. We also want to unify populists. We can't pick one or the other.)
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:15
#112
Thank goodness for Nathan - great new and attractive energy and not married to some party's name. How refreshing!
And he has great humour too.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:15
#113
Topp, Nash, Mulcair, Cullen having a good debate IMO. The others, not as much.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:16
#114
I'm debating who is having a worse debate: Singh or Dewar. Leaning heavily towards Singh.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:17
#115
If I'm an undecided at this point in the race (which I am), I'm starting to like Cullen a lot more (which I am), perhaps even in spite of his cooperation plan. His questions and answers have cut through a lot of BS. He also seems to have the most positive and unifying demeanor -- despite disagreement -- which matters to me considering some of the negativity we've seen in the campaign.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:17
#116
Boom Boom
Ashton is going an awesome NDP leader in the future - I have no doubt.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:17
#117
Oh I think Niki and Martin as well are doing just fine here today.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:18
#118
Local voices will win it for us.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:19
#119
Side note: Peggy Nash sometimes makes bitumen sound like bitchman.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:20
#120
I think it's been a good debate, although a lot of the candidates seem quite on edge. It's like watching a sports game as the clock runs out. Every team is anxious to score one more.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:20
#121
nash is doing well, topp is doing great, cullen is doing well, i wonder how his kookiness and populism play in central canada. he could do very well
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:22
#122
Topp pushes back on the localized messages strategy. It's a fair point: we need to look for common unifying themes to beat Conservatives.
1. Kick out Harper
2. Taxes
3. Climate change
4. Equality
Time to wrap this up.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:22
#123
If I'm an undecided at this point in the race (which I am), I'm starting to like Cullen a lot more (which I am), perhaps even in spite of his cooperation plan. His questions and answers have cut through a lot of BS. He also seems to have the most positive and unifying demeanor -- despite disagreement -- which matters to me considering some of the negativity we've seen in the campaign.
He uses a lot of alienating language vis à vis Harper: "boneheaded" "clear and present danger" "worst" etc
This is a concern for me as Cullen reaches out to current Conservative (or {baby blue} Liberal) supporters
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:22
#124
Boom Boom
Good closing statement by Nathan.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:23
#125
Final statements get emotional.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:23
#126
Idealistic Prag...
Cullen really is a terrific orator.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:23
#127
Cullen is awesome. I love his comment that Canadians aren't ragingly partisan and 10x more Canadians have MEC memberships than all political parties. I think that perspective is lost within the echo chamber of political geeks. I know lots of people my age who are smart, progressive, well-educated folks who might vote NDP, Green, or Liberal, or not at all. He could do a lot to convince those people to vote NDP.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:24
#128
Bravo to all the candidates. The have shown passion, emotion, dedication, compassion. #ProudtobeNDP
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:24
#129
I think in the next few days there will be some articles examining Mulcair's and Topp's concerns about Cullen's plan. If they are right and there are negative effects under the election act for a party that doesn't run a full slate that will be hugely problematic for Cullen.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:25
#130
Idealistic Prag...
Really liking these closing statements! Good job, candidates.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:27
#131
something in cullen sort of scared me, there's a preacher quality there. no question that topp won this debate, mulcair played it safe, nash did well but came off as only slightly less bland and old school, she's trying to fire people up with a barnburner here at the end, very laytonesque, sounds retro. dewar's rhetoric is even more empty than ashton's, singh isn't a good public speaker.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:27
#132
If I'm an undecided at this point in the race (which I am), I'm starting to like Cullen a lot more (which I am), perhaps even in spite of his cooperation plan. His questions and answers have cut through a lot of BS. He also seems to have the most positive and unifying demeanor -- despite disagreement -- which matters to me considering some of the negativity we've seen in the campaign.
He uses a lot of alienating language vis à vis Harper: "boneheaded" "clear and present danger" "worst" etc
This is a concern for me as Cullen reaches out to current Conservative (or {baby blue} Liberal) supporters
I see where you're coming from, but you have to remember: criticizing Harper isn't necessarily criticizing Conservatives, and a lot of Conservatives (and conservatives) have real concerns about Harper. I think Cullen has been careful about this.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:27
#133
Boom Boom
Singh: "God bless Canada".
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:28
#134
"God bless Canada!" Martin Singh. What a dork.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:28
#135
Candidates are blowing the closing statements. For a debate that was supposed to be about oppurtinities for new and young Canadians, very little focus on those issues.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:29
#136
I think in the next few days there will be some articles examining Mulcair's and Topp's concerns about Cullen's plan. If they are right and there are negative effects under the election act for a party that doesn't run a full slate that will be hugely problematic for Cullen.
All Mulcair said (on CTV Question Period) is that the number of candidates you run determines your party's national spending limit. I don't consider that much of an explosive observation.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:30
#137
Nash's final statement was very good. I have often thought she was a very dull speaker. Ashton's final speech was very good. I agree-collectively they make me very proud to be a NDPer.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:31
#138
That youthful energy is very stimulating - great debate.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:32
#139
After watching this final debate, I think Topp has sealed the deal for me.
Before, I'd been liking his substance but concerned about his presentation skills. But his improvement through the course of this campaign has been astonishing. And today, I'd say his presentation was the strongest of any candidate on the stage.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:32
#140
Before we get over-eager (and I'll probably get sucked in) and start ranking the candidates, I will say this:
This debate was far more interesting than the first one, and all the candidates have stepped their game up since the beginning. It only reinforces my notion that we have a great slate of candidates.
There were contrasts today, mostly on strategy, tone, and how to get it done. So that's good news in two ways: it means we have a legitimate choice in this race, and it also means we will ultimately stay united in principle and purpose after the race is done.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:33
#141
Idealistic Prag...
Yeah, it was just an excellent debate all around. A terrific finish to a race that hasn't always been terrific.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:33
#142
Nash redeemed herself today- she came across quite well.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:33
#143
Great closing statements overall. Topp shone today, Nash having a good day as well. Mulcair handled the interrogations fairly well, and Cullen's humour a breath of fresh air as usual. There was a too much topic drift away from new and young Canadians in the latter half but overall this was one of the more satisfying debates.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:35
#144
I think in the next few days there will be some articles examining Mulcair's and Topp's concerns about Cullen's plan. If they are right and there are negative effects under the election act for a party that doesn't run a full slate that will be hugely problematic for Cullen.
All Mulcair said (on CTV Question Period) is that the number of candidates you run determines your party's national spending limit. I don't consider that much of an explosive observation.
I didn't say "explosive". I said "hugely problematic". Why? Because he may have to spend a few days of the last two weeks playing defense. That is not an easy path to victory-playing defense.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:35
#145
I'll give Topp the win on this debate, followed by Nash, Mulcair and Cullen. Mulcair didn't distinguish himself much, but he was respectful and composed throughout the debate and didn't suffer any serious blows. Topp was thoughtful and at times charming. Nash was interesting and at times/often reassuring. Cullen was inspiring for his candour and ability to think differently, speak incisively.
Ashton was a disappointment. Way too much sloganeering. Singh missed a golden opportunity to scale back his rhetoric on Topp with at least a partial apology. Too bad. Dewar was really out of his element. Had trouble gaining traction through any distinguishing comments. Had a Rick Perry quirkiness about his on stage body language and reactions. And thus it ends...two weeks before a new leader.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:36
#146
About 1,000 people there today - wow!
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:37
#147
yeah, i'm feeling a lot more confident in my second choice support for topp, he has definitely raised his game. it would be unjust if he went out before dewar, and it's a shame that circumstances (and a certain government) conspired to keep him out of that danforth seat, though i'm immensely pleased about the candidate we have there.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:37
#148
I think in the next few days there will be some articles examining Mulcair's and Topp's concerns about Cullen's plan. If they are right and there are negative effects under the election act for a party that doesn't run a full slate that will be hugely problematic for Cullen.
All Mulcair said (on CTV Question Period) is that the number of candidates you run determines your party's national spending limit. I don't consider that much of an explosive observation.
I didn't say "explosive". I said "hugely problematic". Why? Because he may have to spend a few days of the last two weeks playing defense. That is not an easy path to victory-playing defense.
That makes sense.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:40
#149
And I think that sums it up, who performed best, quite well. Most did well, but these three stood out from the maddening crowd.
CBC: top twitter feeds are Mulcair, Ashton, and Cullen.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:41
#150
yeah, i'm feeling a lot more confident in my second choice support for topp, he has definitely raised his game. it would be unjust if he went out before dewar, and it's a shame that circumstances (and a certain government) conspired to keep him out of that danforth seat, though i'm immensely pleased about the candidate we have there.
The riding boundaries may change with the next redistribution. Topp would make a great MP for either a new area of High Park-Parkdale or Etobicoke Lakeshore.
Sun, 2012-03-11 16:42
#151
Boom Boom
CBC: top twitter trending feeds are Mulcair, Ashton, and Cullen.