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[i]This post redacted to comply with the Patriot Act[/i]
BC NDP leadership - New Thread March 18
Fri, 2011-03-25 09:40
#52
Snert
Fri, 2011-03-25 15:27
#53
However, I don't think that having taken psychedelics should disqualify someone from running for public office.It's certainly had no impact at the federal level.
Better that anyone infused with the teachings of the Chicago or Austrian School be disqualified. 
Sat, 2011-03-26 14:11
#54
In the video posted up above it sure looks like you are driving after taking LSD
Yes as you light up your "last joint" for the road!
It would be silly to think you were not still under the influence of something
Just the fact you were under the influence of that idiot emery says volumes to any real cannbais people
How much a month were you taking for yourself as you too pretended to be working the issue as emery took close to $40,000 a month and supported 4-5 wives?
He is a joke and a fool
Sorry but Horgan gets my support as he is an MLA and as such has credility
Sat, 2011-03-26 21:26
#55
Actually, the clip states he took DMT and then was "later" seen driving a car. I haven't seen the original broadcast so I can't say how much later, but I can tell you that DMT is not like acid, which will seriously fuck you up for 2-3 hours and leave you reasonably impaired for another 4 or 5 after that, even if you're used to it. DMT, by contrast, has an extremely intense high for a very short period of time, and then lingers with a mild psychedelic effect for maybe another hour. He could very well have been free of the drug by the time he was driving. Of course, he was obviously smoking a joint while driving, which nobody should ever do.
Attacking him for being involved with Emery is just silly, though. Emery has a lot about him to criticise, but he's a major player in all forms of drug activism, financially and organisationally. Anyone involved with that will eventually be involved with him. It's unavoidable.
Tue, 2011-03-29 00:20
#56
That last statement of yours is not even close to true to me
Please mention anything accomplished politically in canada by emery
Even when some one else got the Green party to say they would re legalize cannabis emery banned that news from all his web sites
He purchased business cards for the ndp once but they were really for himself what with a cannaibis quote on them I think
Any way please educate me
I would have left it at emery has a lot about him to criticise
And if you go up you can see the original news release in a you tube video I posted which shows larsen with a "" lit""" joint saying he saved it for the drive home
Dont take my word for it look at it yourselves
Tue, 2011-03-29 21:43
#57
Horgan is the only leadership candidate commenting in the media about Cummins running for the BC Conservative leadership. It almost seems like Horgan is leader already. Not that I'm objecting.
Tue, 2011-03-29 21:59
#58
I hope that Cummins can lead the BC Conservatives to capture 25% or so of the vote
Sun, 2011-04-03 13:19
#59
I hope that he and the BC Conservatives do that at the expense of the BC Liberals, as I'm sure there would be some current NDP supporters that would go to the Conservatives in that scenario.
In any case, [url=http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Election-Central/2011/04/01/CorporateTax... is interesting.[/url]
While candidates vying to lead the British Columbia NDP agree on much, they part ways on the question of whether or not to roll back corporate tax cuts.
At a March 31 debate in Victoria, Vancouver-Kingsway MLA Adrian Dix said he would cancel corporate tax cuts going back to 2008 and use the money to fund priorities like action on climate change, promoting public transit and "increasing tax fairness."
It was a position Dix outlined Feb. 2, and that Port Coquitlam MLA [b]Mike Farnworth[/b] declined to comment on in a Feb. 8 scrum with reporters at the legislature.
"We're going to have a fair taxation system that's progressive," Farnworth said yesterday, when asked again about Dix's position. [b]"Everybody pays their fair share. The era of corporate tax cuts is over."[/b]
Before considering rolling back corporate tax cuts, however, the province has to resolve the issue of the HST, which is a $2 billion tax shift onto consumers from corporations, he said. Until that's decided in a June 24 vote it makes no sense to take a "piece meal" approach, he said.
Similarly, Juan de Fuca MLA [b]John Horgan[/b] has said he would strike a fair tax [b]commission that would [b]look[/b] at "the total impact of the HST, provincial taxation, user fees, licences, natural resource royalties and the range of other government imposed costs on citizens and businesses ."
It's not enough to promise to consult, said Dix. "I think what the voters want is to know what you're going to do before the election," he said.
"When you hide your light under a bushel, then you don't have a mandate to do things," he said. "If you're going to make the real changes the province needs on health care, on education, on taxes, on the environment, you need to have a mandate to do it, and that's what I intend to get from the people of British Columbia."
I think this is pretty clear. Dix is willing to take a strong, but credible stance on this issue. It may not be politically popular right now, but it's the only way to move on this issue. Horgan and Farnworth, may be trying to use more finesse and may be open to changing things for the better, but who really knows. Horgan wants a 'commission' to 'look at' things first (as if there hasn't been a lot of studies already), whereas Farnworth wants to wait as well.
Sun, 2011-04-03 15:36
#60
I attended the Sustainability debate in Vancouver yesterday. I though Larsen and Simons were both great, in their own styles. I thought both Dix and Horgan made a good showing for themseves, again different. It seems like of those two Dix is more likely to be bold about policy. Horgan did impress me though. For me Farnworth was a distant fifth. Maybe I was already disinclined to like him, but it seemed like he was providing more patitudes about his direction (ie. lots of talking about "policies that put british columbians fir" rather than talking about how he would get things done). Farnworth did seem to get lots of cheers.
If Dix is saying now that he'd roll back the corporate tax cuts and Horgan would set up a committee to examine it then that would likely put Dix at #3 (after Larsen and Simons) for me.
Sun, 2011-04-03 18:53
#61
In the News today - Jenny Kwan is endorsing Farnworth.
Here`s a link:
http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/207016--kwan-backs-ndp-candid...
Sun, 2011-04-03 23:43
#62
*deleted due to placement in wrong thread*
Mon, 2011-04-04 11:26
#63
I'm not sure if being endorsed by Jenny Kwan is necessarily good news for Farnworth. A lot of people may take the view that if Kwan is jumping on the Farnworth bandwagon - its time for them to jump off!
Mon, 2011-04-04 12:58
#64
Which makes them pretty shallow voters, huh Stock?
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:07
#65
remind
That is good news for the rest of the candidates Stock, she just took Farnsworth out of the equation.
Go Dana, go John.....
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:17
#66
Northern Shoveler
Either shallow or racist misogynists. I haven't met many NDP members in BC who would fit your bill Stock. Tell me where is the evidence for this nasty statement? Do you at least have anecdotal evidence that some of your friends think like that or are you just making it up whole cloth?
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:22
#67
Uh oh....
shovel, meet hammer
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:28
#68
This has nothing to do with race or gender. Jenny Kwan is now a very divisive figure in the BC NDP because of the gratuitously vicious role she played in destroying Carole James. There are people who will think twice about backing a candidate who has her in their camp. That's all I'm saying.
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:49
#69
Northern Shoveler
This has nothing to do with race or gender. Jenny Kwan is now a very divisive figure in the BC NDP because of the gratuitously vicious role she played in destroying Carole James.
Bullshit, she is still attacked by the same racists that have attacked her throughout her career.
I gather I was right that you don't even have anecdotal evidence for your viscous gratuitous attack on her. You just make things up and throw it at people and the fact that they are women or POC is irrelevant. Show us some proof for your vile statements.
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:53
#70
Northern Shoveler
In fact, much to the disappointment of the usual NDP-bashers who were expressing such schadenfreude over the schism leading to Carol James quitting - the BC NDP leadership race has turned out NOT to be particularly divisive at all.
Except for Jenny Kwan. Why her as the exception Stock?
Mon, 2011-04-04 13:59
#71
Northern Shoveler
Some interesting developments in the BC NDP leadership. The "baker's dozen" seem to be all over the map in terms of who they are endorsing. This week Lali announced for backing Horgan and Horgan already Had backing fro dissident Claire Trevana. Farnworth got endorsed by Corky Evans as well as Lana Popham and Guy Gentner - all dissidents. Adrian Dix has no backing yet from any of the dissidents, but Michelle Mungall announced her support for him and he seems to have a lot of the brass behind him as well.
So, there seems to be little real cleavage between the candidates - it doesn't seem to be a right/left battle or a Vancouver/interior battle or a James loyalist vs. dissident battle.
So compared with the others in the bakers dozen who supported Farnsworth only Jenny is hated and will have a negative effect on his vote. Your analysis leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Mon, 2011-04-04 14:06
#72
Northern Shoveler
Remind nice stab in the back to a woman of colour in politics. I guess this feminist friendly site makes exceptions for some women even ones who have been elected many times. Some women deserve no respect and can be trashed by all and sundry both male and female. Pretty typical analysis though. A woman gets deposed and her supporters place the most blame and reserve the most venom for the women involved. Even better if the scapegoat is a from a minority then we the majority can feel superior and more moral.
Mon, 2011-04-04 14:13
#73
remind
This has nothing to do with race or gender. Jenny Kwan is now a very divisive figure in the BC NDP because of the gratuitously vicious role she played in destroying Carole James. There are people who will think twice about backing a candidate who has her in their camp. That's all I'm saying.
Agree with you here, but I am saying more. Given that it was misogyny and racism that were the underlaying factors in Carole's destruction and this stupid leadership race.
That Kwan jumped on the band wagon to try and prove otherwise, just made her an even bigger millstone around the neck of the person she endorsed.
ETA: Kwan should have kept her nose out of this race and had she been a honest broker in the whole affair she would have, IMV.
Mon, 2011-04-04 14:19
#74
If you haven't received your voting package yet, I suggest looking into it ASAP. Based on what happened with my voting package, there are clearly database problems. I think you have until the 17th to correct them.
Mon, 2011-04-04 14:20
#75
remind
Shoveller, I have made no secret about how I felt about Kwan's stab in the back of Carole, from the very beginning, and you can think what you want but my feminist perspective of Kwan's actions, leave no room for her to have put her nose back into the frey.
As for your insinuation I am racist, you can shovell that shit somewhere else.
Mon, 2011-04-04 14:28
#76
Make no mistake about it, the party establishment is still seething with anger over James. Its not really about James though. Party insiders are simply reacting to their own personal political power getting eroded. Most of these have never stood for public office and have simply risen within the ranks of the party and related unions. They live in a bubble.
Mon, 2011-04-04 14:44
#77
remind
BD, your description of what you think is me is inappropriate, wrong and lacking any accurate or truthful perceptions in respect to why I am angry about this leadership race.
Moreover, do you realize how offensive it is to state it is not about James??? You are actually attempting to take ownership of my sentiments, and that is fairly patriarchial of you.
Mon, 2011-04-04 15:24
#78
Northern Shoveler
Remind that was not directed at you directly it was a comment about our society. No matter what, even on the left, if a dozen people do something the woman of colour gets to wear it. "She should know better," is about the nicest that people throw around in that kind of situation. I'll bet you dime to donuts you and Stock seldom see eye do eye on gender equity issues and it was his vicious attack I responded to.
Mon, 2011-04-04 15:25
#79
remind, My comment wasn't necessarily personally directed at you...or even any individual posters here. I'm hearing a lot of bitterness in "real life" off the internet too.
People need to get over it. Jenny Kwan isn't going away. If she didn't announce her choice, no doubt rumours would fly and may even be incorrect.
But on a personal level, your concern about ownership of sentiments should mean you wouldn't object to Kwan or anyone else declaring who they support.
Mon, 2011-04-04 17:29
#80
Jenny Kwan is and has been a hard working MLA since the Clark years. She and the other dissidents did the party a service by percipitating the removal of Carole James who was beyond her prime as leader (in fact probably out of her league), had lost the confidence of a significant portion of her caucus (no doubt more than just the 13 who went public), and was probably heading the party toward another defeat.
Most of the members that I know thought that she needed to step down, and most of the public that might vote for us that I know said not as long as Carole was leader.
That the caucus now seems to work together again and that those from both sides of the Carole issue are supporting each other tells us that perhaps there was more theatre than real disagreement in the events that removed her.
Had there been a vote of confidence called on the leader at the 2009 convention it is likely that Carole would have lost it, and it would have been over ability.
Mon, 2011-04-04 21:44
#81
I've been a Horgan booster and supporter since prior to his announcement but the Ipsos poll released today on Global BC is a game changer for me.
According to Ipsos, the results of a hypothetical race between Christy Crunch versus the top three NDP candidates:
1. Clark - 38%; Farnworth - 32%; (6% spread in favour of Libs)
2. Clark - 44%; Dix - 25%; (19% spread in favour of Libs)
3. Clark - 41%; Horgan - 22%; (19% spread in favour of Libs)
That's why I'm now switching my first ballot preference to Farnworth, then Horgan for 2nd. I just don't want the NDP to be stuck out in the wilderness again for the next election, which will likely be after Labour Day.
Mon, 2011-04-04 22:35
#82
Don't you think that the only thing that poll is measuring is name recognition? Farnworth has been an MLA since 1991 and occupied several cabinet portfolios and was NDP house leader - so he is the closest thing there is to a known quantity among the three. In fact, I'm disturbed that he's 6% behind Clark when he is actually a known commodity.
Horgan was first elected in 2005 and quite frankly unless you live in his riding or are a very, very close observer of BC politics - you simply wouldn't know who he was - so voters are reacting to having to choose between Christy Clark and "that guy from Vancouver Island". If I were a BC NDP member, I would ignore polls like this and instead I would make my own subjective judgment of how I think each candidate will "go over" with the BC public. If I think that people will like Horgan once they are introduced to him - then I would support him.
Mon, 2011-04-04 22:44
#83
Really?
I get wanting the leader that has the best chance to beat Clark but do you honestly think that a poll at this time tells us that? The media is famous for pumping up party leaders with positive press and positive polls just before tearing them down. Most people aren't even paying attention. One of the problems with the nicey nicey style campaign we've seen from the BC NDP is that we have no idea how well these guys can really take a punch. We can get a bit of an idea from how they've handled themselves, from what I've seen Horgan has miles more charisma than Farnworth, I think he'd have a better shot.
Tue, 2011-04-05 10:59
#84
For Dix, this poll is very bad. For Farnworth concerning. For Horgan, wait and see. I'm leaning to Horgan right now.
Tue, 2011-04-05 11:22
#85
According to Ipsos, the results of a hypothetical race between Christy Crunch versus the top three NDP candidates:
1. Clark - 38%; Farnworth - 32%; (6% spread in favour of Libs)
2. Clark - 44%; Dix - 25%; (19% spread in favour of Libs)
3. Clark - 41%; Horgan - 22%; (19% spread in favour of Libs)
Just as a point of information, this was NOT a question on vote intention. This was a question on "best person for premier" and needless to say an incumbent Premier will almost always have a big edge over an unknown hypothetical opposition leader here. Campbell would routinely lead Carol James by 20 points on "best premier" but then the BC Liberals would only beat the NDP by 3% in the popular vote. Again, I stress that this question mostly just measures name recognition. If I'm Horgan, I say "at this stage no one knows me so i have no where to go but up. Farnworth is actually very well known, yet trails Clark and Dix is pretty well-known too - and yet he seems to drive up Clark's numbers"
Tue, 2011-04-05 13:59
#86
I agree with Stockholm. Do not let polls influence you.
Many polls are push polls which are trying to make you do stuff that you would not otherwise do.
This is the "fog of war". Polling companies are businesses.
A right wing owner of a polling company can easily doctor the questions or conduct the poll at a time when working people are away.
Because he wants a lame duck leader.
So, conduct your own little poll among neighbours and friends and pay as much attention to them as to the really political people that you know.
And listen to the candidates debating the issues.
Tue, 2011-04-05 17:32
#87
Here is the link to the Ipsos-Reid poll:
Tue, 2011-04-05 20:10
#88
Does anyone know the candidates views on democratic/electoral reform?
So far it seems that only Farnworth has come out with a strong position on democratic reform:
Farnworth's plan will reduce the influence of big money-backed special interests in elections, move towards electoral reform, empower individual MLAs and citizens, and support more meaningful debate in the Legislature.
Farnworth committed to:
- Taking big money out of politics by banning corporate and union donations as one of the first bills passed by a Farnworth-led government;
- Taking the first steps toward a more equitable electoral system such as Mixed Member Proportional Representation;
- Creating an all-party committee system in the Legislature to allow private member's bills meaningful consideration and progress;
- Empowering individual MLAs through a revamped and restructured committee system that promotes meaningful involvement in legislating;
- Making the Legislature the People's House by sending bills to committees after first and second reading for detailed review, public input and expert advice;
- Moving future set election dates to the Fall to allow full examination of the budget by the Auditor General; and,
- Enhancing Freedom of Information (FOI) through routine disclosure and by ending the practice of making FOI requests overly expensive and inaccessible.
Farnworth also promised to reform how elections are fought and financed at the local government level.
If Horgan or Dix can't match or better Farnworth's strong promises on democratic reform, especially supporting MMP, my vote will be for Mike Farnworth.
Fri, 2011-04-08 00:05
#89
Simons is out. He's backing Horgan.
Horgan said Simons has spoken passionately about the issue of poverty reduction throughout the leadership race."His participation ensured that this issue remained front and centre throughout the debates," said Horgan in a statement. "I will carry his vision for poverty reduction forward if I am elected on April 17."
The more of Horgan I see, the more impressed I am. Here's hoping he finishes at least second on the first ballot.
Sun, 2011-04-10 02:20
#90
Former NDP premier Mike Harcourt has come off the fence to endorse Mike Farnworth as the best of four choices for the leadership of the BC New Democrats....
Mr. Harcourt, a former Vancouver mayor, said all of the three key candidates would make a fine premier, but Mr. Farnworth offers the BC New Democrats the best chance of winning the next election.
“Throughout this campaign, I’ve watched Mike demonstrate a leadership style that listens to all voices and brings people together,” Mr. Harcourt said in his statement.
“This approach will unite people across the province. That’s when New Democrats are at their best and can accomplish significant changes on behalf of the people of British Columbia.”
Sun, 2011-04-10 16:38
#91
I am still in this race to win, but I am endorsing John Horgan as my second ballot choice.
Since advance voting starts tomorrow I think this is the right time to make this announcement.
You can read about my decision here: http://www.VoteDana.ca/johnhorgan
If you are putting Dana Larsen as your #1 choice, please consider my suggestion to give John Horgan the #2 spot.
Sun, 2011-04-10 17:12
#92
I would not have gone for Horgan at the start of the campaign but I guess things change. He knows what privacy is, he does not want to lock up half the population, he did not seem to cheat on membership signups and he is not a total party stooge.
He seems to have grown over the campaign.
Sun, 2011-04-10 19:43
#93
Left Turn
John Horgan is Carole James v. 2.0, a candidate who is more concerned about compromising with business interests than he is about helping working class voters who have been under attack from the BC Liberals for 10 years. Mike Farnworth is to the right of Horgan. Adrian Dix is the candidate who is standing up for working class voters against the interests of business, and thus I will be voting for Dix.
Issues such as health care, education, the environment, homelessness and poverty, such issues matter. Who the party "establishment" is backing, and whether X, Y, or Z candiadate has stood up to the "party establishment" during the leadership campaign, are secondary matters.
Sun, 2011-04-10 20:19
#94
If Horgan wins, I hope he takes on the Farnworth MMP policy. That would insure a left of center government in the long term (NDP +greens) and in the short term it would almost certainly get most of the greens voting NDP in the next election.
If people do want to vote for Farnworth dispite the tough on crime nonsense, then the MMP thing is the deal maker. (I forgot about Farnworth wanting to introduce mmp). Wanting to introduce MMP is a very intelligent move in electoral terms. It would also remove a few dinosaurs from the NDP. So Farnworth or Horgan. Definitely not Dix. He has achilles heals, and trouble with dates.
Mon, 2011-04-11 03:50
#95
Farnworth's big plus for me is that he seems to be the most democratic minded of all the candidates. I think that's why Jenny Kwan is supporting him. She wants to have a leader who respects all MLA's including backbenchers. I disagreed with how Chan helped depose Carole James but I agree with Chan's overall belief that the grassroots must be respected.
The BCNDP should be more democratic and Farnworth seems to be the one best suited to accomplish that goal. We need much more democracy within and outside of the BCNDP.
If Horgan or Dix don't publicly support MMP, my vote will go to Farnworth.
Mon, 2011-04-11 12:15
#96
Agreed
If Horgan or Dix don't publicly support MMP, my vote will go to Farnworth.
Mon, 2011-04-11 15:29
#97
The correct link for winds of change in BC politics The one below didn't work for me. Required reading for Stockholm, I think.
The alternative to deposing Carole James was probably losing yet another election. Her leadership was failing, her caucus was split, and probably more than just the 13 publicly identified (I would not be surprised if some or all of the current candidates were only showing her support to position themselves for the leadership contest). It was not for lack of quietly trying to remedy this that the dissident MLAs went public. Carole was not responsive to caucus and the way that she handled Bob Simpson with apparent total disregard for caucus was the last straw.
Mon, 2011-04-11 18:00
#98
The alternative to deposing Carole James was probably losing yet another election. Her leadership was failing, her caucus was split, and probably more than just the 13 publicly identified (I would not be surprised if some or all of the current candidates were only showing her support to position themselves for the leadership contest). It was not for lack of quietly trying to remedy this that the dissident MLAs went public. Carole was not responsive to caucus and the way that she handled Bob Simpson with apparent total disregard for caucus was the last straw.
Mon, 2011-04-11 20:37
#99
I'm going to rank Horgan second after Larsen but I don't think he has much of a chance. He ran a really middle of the road platform without a lot of policy. When you're running a distant third, you can't let your campaign just slumber along. I'll be surprised if he can squeak into second, although if he does, he has a good chance of winning. When he speaks he does come off as the least 'politiciany' of the three. Farnworth had some good policies but his pandering to the 'tough on crime' crowd just isn't something I can vote for and Dix has the 'been there done that' team.
Mon, 2011-04-11 22:27
#100
Pogo
Voted: Larsen/Farnsworth/Dix/Horgan
Mon, 2011-04-11 23:55
#101
Shane Simpson has endorsed Horgan.