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NDP leadership thread - part 1 of many
Sat, 2011-08-27 11:51
#1
Lou Arab
NDP leadership thread - part 1 of many
Sat, 2011-08-27 11:58
#2
Sunday.
Sat, 2011-08-27 12:06
#3
I can't deny that I've been thinking about this...but I'll withhold until after the funeral today.
Sat, 2011-08-27 12:46
#4
knownothing
They just showed Rockburn covering the 2003 leadership race. Was it ever amazing! Layton looks like such a genius now. Everything he was saying came true and will come true.
Sat, 2011-08-27 14:48
#5
Boom Boom
Watching the state funeral for Jack Layton - no one can make the Conservatives squirm like Stephen Lewis! I wish he'd return to politics.
Sat, 2011-08-27 14:51
#6
knownothing
Boy he really gave er didn't he?
Although I wished someone would have thanked Harper personally for this honour, knowing how hard it must be for them to sit through this.
Sat, 2011-08-27 16:28
#7
Boom Boom
The Rev. Brent Hawkes is an amazing speaker. Stephen Page was great, too - I've never seen him perform solo before. Harper looked really uncomfortable through all this.
Sat, 2011-08-27 18:46
#8
Sunday.
Sat, 2011-08-27 19:42
#9
I'd much rather see Stephen Lewis run in the Danforth byelection than Brian Topp.
Sat, 2011-08-27 20:42
#10
Lou Arab
For those who say 'Sunday'
I look forward to your contributions tomorrow.
Sat, 2011-08-27 20:42
#11
Boom Boom
The funeral coverage will hopefully have been seen by the entire country, and the inspiring words of Stephen Lewis - and others - have the potential to make this start of a historic movement for progressive change. I sincerely hope the NDP seizes the opportunity.
Sat, 2011-08-27 20:43
#12
The Rev. Brent Hawkes is an amazing speaker. Stephen Page was great, too - I've never seen him perform solo before. Harper looked really uncomfortable through all this.
Page was great, I thought. He was a little shaky in certain parts but there were some parts that he sang just amazingly. That's such a beautiful song that's had so many great renditions. Obviously the original Leonard Cohen version but I love Jeff Buckley's version and I thought that KD Lang nailed it when she sang it at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.
Sat, 2011-08-27 20:44
#13
Boom Boom
And Rufus Wainwright did an amazing rendition as well - in the Leonard Cohen tribute movie I think.
Sun, 2011-08-28 00:45
#14
dacckon
Peter Tabuns- Could run for NDP federally in Layton's riding, he's currently an mpp in Toronto Danforth. Former City councillor and head of Greenpeace Canada. Backed by Ed Broadbent in ondp's leadership election. Not sure if he speaks French.
Brian Topp- A true moderate, a brilliant stratagist, and fluently bilingual. Doesn't hold a seat in the house. Biggest problem is being a David Lewis. No matter how brillant he is, I worry over the formation of a waffle that nearly crushed the NDP last time. That is if Brian Topp is well known for silencing radical opinions(I may be mixing him with Brad) I'm not sure how charismatic he is. Union background is great for progressives, but will be used against him by the cons.
Stephen Lewis- brilliant in English, but not known for speaking French. If he could only speak the way he does in English in French. Charisma is the #1 trait im looking for in a leader. Hes a bit old(I think a while back when he ran for leadership he was considered young)
Gary Doer- Too centre to hold party together, not known for French, but a nice popularity rating in Mantioba and widely respected there. Reportedly doesn't want to run. Would make a great deputy/finance minister in order to quell fear spread by the tories.
Libby Davies- Smart and a true progressive, but too left to appeal to all of Canada and lack of French.
Thomas Mulcair- Brilliant, Intelligent, highly capable of building on Quebec. Would help increase membership in QC. Problem? He's the opposite of Jack. He has a short fuse that could burst at any minute. Fluently Bilingual. Leans centre and fights with the more left leaning wing. He fights as opposed to negociate as I've heard.
Mike or Sarah Layton- Many political parties have great linages, aside of their eulogies (which were good), they are a bit young.
Anne Mcgrath- Chief of Staff to Jack Layton, I believe she is fluently bilingual. Only problem is that she ran as a communist canidate in Alberta which the media will have a field day with.
What do you guys think about Karl Belanger? I think he's fluently bilingual.
Peter Julian- fluently Bilingual, progressive. Executive Director of Council of Canadians(I'm not sure what he did there/ what he approved there, it may come back to haunt him if the tories dig something up about him campaigning against something that never happened but anyways I think its great that he was there). United Church of Canada member.
Paul Dewar - Very modern, doesn't run into controversy. That being said, some activists on the far left may try to stir some shit up. Bilingual. Tv friendly, but he looks very very timid.
What about Charlie Angus? It'd be nice to see a rural leader. Some other mps include...
Don Davies?
Bruce Hyer? Ecologist, small buisness owner. No idea if he speaks french.
Matthew Kellway - New mp in east york but he is an economist.
Jack Harris- former ndp nfld leader. Smart, progressive. Unknown if he is bilingual
Jamie Nicholls I think is bilingual, from QC
Dennis Bevington- I think he's bilingual, a buisnessman. From NWT
Is linda Duncan bilingual?
John Rafferty- (another buisness owner)
Kennedy Stewart (phd in economics, from london school of economics)
Guy Caron(Qc) - economist, worked in unions, council of canadians.
The reason I'm bringing up economists/buisness owners is because the tories will try to paint the NDP as fiscally incapable(which we all know is false, the NDP is the best at balancing budgets, and we all know about the strength of the Nordic Model in Scandinavia)
What my requirements are->
1. Charisma
2.Progressive yet pragmatic aka the social ideals of the CCF mixed with the economic pragmatism of today's modern social democratic parties.
3. fluently Bilingual
4. Able to control factions
5. Ability to grow party membership and reach out to all canadian social democrats to join in. Make us a big progressive tent party.
6. strategic focus
Sun, 2011-08-28 01:25
#15
I could get really excited about Roméo Saganash. I don't know enough about him but here is what I like:
1) He is perfectly fluent in French and English (and two FN languages)
2) He comes across as a nice guy, with some charisma
3) He has tonnes of political experience as an elected official and spokesperson with the Québec Cree
4) He knows a lot of practical things about the economy as a key negotiator on many natural resource development files and has run his own businesses
5) He would be very difficult for the Tories to attack (a likeable visible minority success story?)
6) If he were able to inspire people, he could become like a Canadian Obama, the analogy would not be so far flung
7) He strikes me as a leftist, but a practical one, just like Jack; which might help to keep the party together
My default choice is Mulcair, IMHO he is hands down the best "known" quantity the NDP has right now, but I would be interested in learning more about Saganash, who hasn't received the same national level scrutiny.
Sun, 2011-08-28 01:46
#16
I'm looking for someone who can maintain our support in Quebec and grow it outside Quebec specifically in Ontario and the West. That means they need to truly understand the nature of Quebec and Quebec politics like Jack did.
I noticed someone mentioned that Mulcair for example is the "opposite" of Jack and that's a problem. We can't go into a leadership campaign comparing candidates to Jack or pick a leader hoping they continue Jack's "legacy". I'm going to miss Jack but as a politcal party, we need to evaluate the candidates on their own merits and whether he or she can bring the party even further than Jack did.
Sun, 2011-08-28 01:54
#17
Here’s an interesting possibility: Guy Caron, Quebec Caucus Chair
Interesting suggestion, Wilf. Does he have "it"? Some MP's are great politicians with great resumes but whether they have the gravitas to be leader and seen by voters as a potential Prime Minister is another question.
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:01
#18
Here’s an interesting possibility: Guy Caron, Quebec Caucus Chair
Unlike some we could name, he has done nothing in the last week to make himself visible. I have no information as to whether he might run. Would he just support Mulcair, or (if he runs), Brian Topp?
I can see some Quebec caucus members feeling Quebec should not tie its star to one man only. Another Quebec candidate could have many merits. Caron is the logical person for that role.
Guy Caron was born May 13, 1968 in Rimouski. He worked with radio stations CKLE and CKMN-FM, and with the newspapers Progrès-Écho and Rimouskois, while studying science at the Cégep de Rimouski. Caron got a Bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Ottawa in 1992, and served two terms as president of their student federation. He was president of the Canadian Federation of Students in 1994-5.
He worked for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. He worked for the Council of Canadians where he was a media relations officer, then the Campaigner on Canada-U.S. Relations, and then the Healthcare Campaigner. He is the author of Crossing the Line: A Citizens’ Inquiry on Canada-U.S. Relations. He also got a Master's degree in economics from Université du Québec à Montréal in 2001.
He then joined CEP (Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union) as a researcher and economist, most recently as Director of Special Projects.
Caron ran in Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques in three federal elections (2004, 2006 & 2008) unsuccessfully before being elected in 2011.
He lives in Gatineau with his wife Valerie Stansfield and their son Dominic born in February 2009.
Caron must be perfectly bilingual. He sounds perfectly open and optimistic in French:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FXNinmUY8k
Does anyone have any English video of him?
He has a two-year-old son. If the last election had been two years ago, would he even have run? How would he and his wife feel about family priorities and a leadership bid?
[img]http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/16239_311430115526_8...
But as Jack said:
Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again.
. . . we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
Nos rencontres du caucus ont toujours été le moment fort de ma semaine. Cela a été mon rôle d’exiger le plus possible de votre part. Et maintenant je le fais à nouveau.
. . . nous avons enfin un système de partis politiques fédéraux qui nous offre de vrais choix; où notre vote compte; où en travaillant pour le changement on peu effectivement provoquer le changement. Dans les mois et les années à venir, le NPD vous proposera une nouvelle et captivante alternative. Mes collègues du parti forment une équipe impressionnante etdévouée. Écoutez-les bien, considérez les alternatives qu’ils proposent, et gardez en tête qu’en travaillant ensemble, nous pouvons avoir un meilleur pays, un pays plus juste et équitable. Ne laissez personne vous dire que ce n’est pas possible.
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:05
#19
Caron has a weakness in that he represents Rimouski but hasn't lived there in years (he lives in Gatineau)- IF I am not mistaken. In the last campaign, local mayors were writing to the newspapers complaining that he wasn't campaigning (surely an exaggeration). For many years now Caron has been a "name-on-ballot" in Québec, appearing on the ballot four times and typically receiving 7-10%
He also has no profile, either inside or out of Québec. That being said, he is one of the caucus's great hopes.
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:09
#20
Here’s an interesting possibility: Guy Caron, Quebec Caucus Chair
Interesting suggestion, Wilf. Does he have "it"? Some MP's are great politicians with great resumes but whether they have the gravitas to be leader and seen by voters as a potential Prime Minister is another question.
Indeed. I'd love to see Peter Julian run, but that question might be asked about him; I'm unsure of the answer at this early point.
As for Caron, did you watch that video? What do you think?
Caron has a weakness in that he represents Rimouski but hasn't lived there in years (he lives in Gatineau) . . . That being said, he is one of the caucus's great hopes.
I read that he has set up a Rimouski residence; He, Valerie and Dominic will live there whenever they can, he said. This in turn will depend on Valerie's job; she has a contract, he said.
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:20
#21
I haven't seen much of Julian over the years. He seems to be a low key caucus member. I listened to a speech he gave that was online and seemed good on the stump. He's likable, fluently bilingual, and was provincial secretary in Quebec during the 90's.
I wish Stephen Lewis was at least 10 years younger and fluently bilingual. I love that man.
I don't get all this talk about Brian Topp. He's a good strategist... not a politician. Honestly, why Brian Topp? Is it because he was close to Jack? If so, wrong reason.
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:31
#22
Boom Boom
I'm a bit confused - didn't Layton himself suggest January for the leadership convention? If so, that's four months away. Is this debate going to on that long?
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:36
#23
Think people are just speculating about possible candidates. Is there a specific date when that should start? :)
If it is in January, you're going to see candidates start organizing in the next couple of weeks.
Sun, 2011-08-28 02:47
#24
Boom Boom
I wonder if the performance of NDP members in the House will be under intense scrutiny when Parliament resumes with the purpose being to see obvious candidates who really stand out - we already know who they are from previous House sittings and elections, but there could be outstanding candidates especially from the new Quebec contingent as well. The party has to work with what it has, but, darn, I wish Pierre Ducasse was one of those new Quebec MPs! He would be a natural.
Sun, 2011-08-28 07:00
#25
To make full disclosure right off the bat I am strongly inclined to support Thomas Mulcair. I will list a few reasons here and will look forward to participaing in this debate further.
1. The party must consolidate its hold on Quebec. Mulcair is the obvious choice to accomplish this. I think he may be able to extinguish the lingering Liberal hold on the West Island in particular. Although Jack was mostly responsible for the Quebec breakthrough we should not underestimate Mulcair's role. Dianne Ablonszy (sp?) congratulated Jack on the Quebec result and he magnanimously said"I had a great Quebec lieutenant." Let's not forget this.
2. The next election will be the best chance the NDP has ever had to take power. We should not blow this chance by giving in to the the old NDP propensity to be ideologically pure and play identity politics. We should all remember what happened when we picked Audrey McLaughlin for similar reasons. I think Mulcair offers us our best shot at power. He may be a lapsed Liberal and that may eliminate him in the eyes of some. But he is our best prospect to consolidate the progressive vote, partly because of his Liberal background. As Mike Layton quoted his father, you make the best with what you have at hand.
3. If Mulcair runs he is likely to have near unanimous support from Quebec. The mathematics of the leadership leave him at a distinct disadvantage. The unions (with whom he has no particular ties) have a guaranteed 25%. The rest is a one member one vote system. The Quebec membership has always ben very low although I expect it has recently grown. Saskatchewan, on the other hand has always had a high membership, sometimes even greater than Ontario in years past. So we may have the anomaly that Saskatchewan with no NDP MPs has a greater say in the leadership vote than Quebec which has almost 60% of the caucus. If Mulcair is defeated in this landscape it will inevitably be seen as a repudiation of Quebec.
4. I have only seen Mulcair on television, as have almost all Canadians. He is formidably smart and forceful, in my view a formidable political talent. The Conservatives obviously fear him in Question Period. The point has been made that Mulcair does not have Jack's sunny image of conciliation. It will be a grave mistake to look to find a duplicate of Jack because we will never find him. We can expect of a certainty that whoever we pick as the next leader will be met with a massive Conservative ad campaign to define his or her image pejoratively like they did Dion and Ignatieff. Jack was able to escape this because he came in under the radar until the last couple of weeks of the last campaign. He had also been around long enough to define his own image. As the best known of the contenders, especially in Quebec, Mulcair may be best able to weather this inevitable storm. I also think that unlike the last two hapless Liberal leaders Mulcair has the sheer political talent to counterpunch his way out of the Conservative attempt to kneecap him from the outset.
So there are some preliminary thoughts. I am sure there will be much more to consider as the campaign progresses and I look forward to what my fellow Babblers will contribute.
Sun, 2011-08-28 08:11
#26
great post, Nicky:
and remember, winning Outremont (I lived there when it swung Tory in 1988, after a century-plus being pure Liberal) was the spark for that whole election swing -- a big riding in the big city set the tone for a breakthrough later
Sun, 2011-08-28 08:12
#27
So we may have the anomaly that Saskatchewan with no NDP MPs has a greater say in the leadership vote than Quebec which has almost 60% of the caucus. If Mulcair is defeated in this landscape it will inevitably be seen as a repudiation of Quebec.
Please note that the votes of Saskatchewan NDPers were what put Jack over the top on the first ballot in 2003, even though he was criticized by some as being a Toronto candidate or too slick and urban. A candidate who is willing to do what Jack did in the run up to the leadership vote, which was to go around the country and meet the NDP members in different regions, listening to their concerns, should be able to win the same support. In fact, if he or she can't win support from the different regions, then that would be a demonstrable weakness which would cause legitimate questions about that person.
Sun, 2011-08-28 08:13
#28
How is Olivia Chow's french?
Think about it!
The widow of Jack Layton, who's name would resonate with Quebec voters in 2015. (Shades of Cory Aquino in the Phillipines?)
A 'visible minority' leader, in a country that is rapidly becoming more and more culturally diversified in it's population.
A female politician, with parliamentary experience.
Olivia would be my first choice!
Sun, 2011-08-28 08:22
#29
I'm a bit confused - didn't Layton himself suggest January for the leadership convention? If so, that's four months away. Is this debate going to on that long?
Sun, 2011-08-28 09:18
#30
Thomas Mulcair is my top choice. What I don't know is whether he is a good leader of people.
The whole thing about Brian Topp bothers me. Topp has been writing for G&M I believe, and I'm sure the media people know him. But the average voter does not know him. Why then is the media crowning him as one of the "top contenders"? He has never been tested as a candidate (and with apology to ACTRA members I don't count your internal votes as "elections".)
Boom Boom & the grey: Layton didn't suggest a particular time, but rather as soon as possible in the new year.
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:10
#31
Not about the leadership, but a sincere prayer nonetheless:
Lord, if it be your will, please tell Brent Hawkes to run in Toronto Centre.
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:30
#32
Layton didn't suggest a particular time, but rather as soon as possible in the new year.
He wrote "I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003." That was January 25, 2003.
To make full disclosure right off the bat I am strongly inclined to support Thomas Mulcair. . . Mulcair does not have Jack's sunny image of conciliation. . . He may be a lapsed Liberal and that may eliminate him in the eyes of some.
Good summary of the case for Mulcair. Is he in fact a lapsed Liberal, federally? I don't know what party he voted for in 2004, but I have always read that he was not active in any federal party. Does anyone know? A search of political donation records would be helpful. As for his image being forceful (as was Jack) but not as sunny, I think he is a very capable performer who could turn on his sunny side as effectively as his irascible side, if he wanted to.
You might have added one more point. What's the rush? January is in fact the earliest possible date, due to political donation limits. In fact campaign organizers will have trouble collecting money, since many people will need to give pledges or post-dated cheques for January 1 if they gave their limit in 2010. We have, after all, three years. The Liberals are waiting for contenders to emerge. Was Jack saying, in effect, "Mulcair's ready, Charlie Angus is hot, and if anyone else wants to run they can jump in fast. Let's go."
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:33
#33
I will weigh in at greater length later but a few random thoughts and responses to others' comments:
1. FYI: Olivia Chow speaks a bit of French but not enough to have ever spoken it in public and in any case I am sure has far too much personal grief to deal with to even think of the leadership. It's not like Jack died the day an election was called and the party desperately needed someone to carry the torch. We are talking about a leader for a election four years from now.
2. Everything about Brian Topp is perfect for a leader EXCEPT that as others have said, he has no experience as a retail politician. It's not to say he would be good or bad - just that we don't know. One thing for sure about him is he has an impressively pan-Canadian resume: born and raised in Quebec with a francophone mother and speaks PERFECT French, was Chief of Staff to Romanow and lived in Saskatchewan for many years, lives in Toronto and is ED of ACTRA, is close to Adrian Dix and currently slated to manage the BC NDP campaign.
3. Mulcair has many assets that have been listed, my only concern about him is whether he has enough of a grasp of Canada outside Quebec and I hear he rubs some caucus members (ESP. Some women) the wrong way.
4. I hope that there is more than one serious candidate from Quebec and I hope to see at least one woman run and hopefully also someone under 30 and someone First Nation.
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:38
#34
FYI donations to leadership campaigns are NOT tax receipt able and have nothing to do with the limits on federal political donations. You can donate as much as you want to a leadership candidate but you get no rebate.
Layton didn't suggest a particular time, but rather as soon as possible in the new year.
He wrote "I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003." That was January 25, 2003.
To make full disclosure right off the bat I am strongly inclined to support Thomas Mulcair. . . Mulcair does not have Jack's sunny image of conciliation. . . He may be a lapsed Liberal and that may eliminate him in the eyes of some.
Good summary of the case for Mulcair. Is he in fact a lapsed Liberal, federally? I don't know what party he voted for in 2004, but I have always read that he was not active in any federal party. Does anyone know? A search of political donation records would be helpful. As for his image being forceful (as was Jack) but not as sunny, I think he is a very capable performer who could turn on his sunny side as effectively as his irascible side, if he wanted to. You might have added one more point. What's the rush? January is in fact the earliest possible date, due to political donation limits. In fact campaign organizers will have trouble collecting money, since many people will need to give pledges or post-dated cheques for January 1 if they gave their limit in 2010. We have, after all, three years. The Liberals are waiting for contenders to emerge. Was Jack saying, in effect, "Mulcair's ready, Charlie Angus is hot, and if anyone else wants to run they can jump in fast. Let's go."
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:45
#35
What about international issues? Mulcair is sweet on Israel (because of his riding?). What about militarism? Canadian mining? Free trade?
And Topp? And Caron (my favourite)?
Is there a summary anywhere of potential candidates' positions?
It would be very helpful.
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:46
#36
Northern Shoveler
What my requirements are->
1. Charisma
2.Progressive yet pragmatic aka the social ideals of the CCF mixed with the economic pragmatism of today's modern social democratic parties.
3. fluently Bilingual
4. Able to control factions
5. Ability to grow party membership and reach out to all canadian social democrats to join in. Make us a big progressive tent party.
6. strategic focus
Given your list I would suggest Bob Rae as the new NDP leader. He might just be pragmatic enough to know it is his only chance at the brass ring he has been chasing. He has always promoted the concept of a big progressive tent party.
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:52
#37
Northern Shoveler
Denise Savoie and Nathan Cullen would be good candidates but since they are not from Upper or Lower Canada they do not have the "national" profile.
Sun, 2011-08-28 10:59
#38
knownothing
Strategically, I am leaning towards Mulcair as well. I think he would sell a gazillion memberships in Quebec and the NDP would be entrenched there forever. I think the new leader has to come from Quebec. That is where we need to build out of. Sure Mulcair is scary and that is a good thing. We don't want someone trying to be JACK2.0. The only knock on Mulcair will be his bin Laden comments (which I thought was awesome!) but I don't think a little suspicion of the Americans is such bad thing for a modern Canadian PM. He is super-charismatic, brilliant, perfectly bilingual.
But I don't know much about him. I think his stances require serious scrutiny. No one can accuse him of being a seperatist. Keep Libby Davies Deputy leader to balance out the left-right east-west balance.
The big question is whether he can appeal to the west. The media will be all over us about Quebec, so who knows?
Sun, 2011-08-28 11:08
#39
FYI donations to leadership campaigns are NOT tax receipt able and have nothing to do with the limits on federal political donations. You can donate as much as you want to a leadership candidate but you get no rebate.
Sorry, I was thinking of delegate fees. January is fine, to avoid people giving more than the limit in 2011.
Sun, 2011-08-28 11:41
#40
dacckon
Lol i don't think my requirements lead to Bob Rae. Why would the NDP ever take him back? He is the reason the party suffers/is feared in Ontario. I don't think he's charismatic or has the societal ideals of old CCF'ers like MJ Coldwell. Some people who vote liberal are progressive, Look to people like Jean Lesage in QC as an example of this. Lets capture whats left of the "liberal left" and rename them into centre-leaning social democrats. Better to be a centre-leaning social democrat than a liberal. Alot of the voters in canada can be described as "Soft liberals", why shouldn't we try to capture their vote and relabel/lead them to a truely progressive party.
I also think that Layton's deputy structure should remain. If someone centre leaning is elected as leader, than he/she must have 2 deputies that lean left. Vice-Versa, in order to stop any infighting. Althrough I highly prefer someone in the middle of the party, much like Layton and Broadbent.
I'd also like to see where they stand. In the UK, leadership canidates wrote fabian essays. I highly suggest they do this in here in Canada. http://www.fabians.org.uk/publications/extracts/the-labour-leadership-es...
Sun, 2011-08-28 11:42
#41
Sun, 2011-08-28 11:52
#42
An open spirited leadership race would be good for the party. Candidates should run for more than one reason: to represent their ideas, or solidify their standing in the party, as well as to win.
My preference would be to see a range of opinions expressed; this necessitates a variety of candidates. In order to sign up members, and win support, an NDP leadership candidate has to convince people they have something substantive to offer Canada. I would hate to see a coronation.
The divisions within the party about where we need to go as a country need to be regularly aired in public debate so as to give a sense of direction to the parliamentary wing.
What makes an open race important is the winning candidate is going to have to garner support and gain the trust of the party base, its grass (and net) roots.
The world economic crisis is real. Being able to think big thoughts about how to transform how we do things in Canada should be an important part of what candidates offer the party membership as a vision for the future under their leadership.
Sun, 2011-08-28 11:58
#43
None of my opinions are set in stone at this point, and I hope there is an active campaign that allows a full exploration of a wide range of possible candidates.
If there is one name less often floated by pundits I would like to see actively explored right now, it would be Charlie Angus. He brings a very interesting package - represents a rural northern riding, but his history as a musician in Toronto also offers a more urban appeal. At 48, he would present a youthful energetic contrast to the other party leaders. I'm under the impression that he is fluently bilingual - and that his upbringing in a bilingual northern Ontario town means that it a very natural comfortable bilingualism, not the kind of classroom French that we sometimes see in national political figures .
He has been quite impressive in his work as critic on digital issues and now on ethics. He's done some great work on aboriginal issues. He's been an MP since 2004, so he's not an untested newbie. He's smart, good in the media, and can give a decent speech. He has solid ties to labour (representing a pretty heavily unionized area and growing up in a northern mining town). My sense is that he may be the kind of leader who could span the various tendencies within the party - labour, environmentalists, cultural progressives, urban, rural, youth, Québec, ROC, etc and that he could campaign credibly in every part of the country.
Not being an Ottawa or party insider, I'm not familiar with what his potential drawbacks may be, but I've been impressed with what I see.
I like the suggestions from people here of both Roméo Saganash and Guy Caron. Their biggest drawbacks seem to be that they are both first term MPs, and that limited experience would be a drawback.
I've seen Caron in action a little bit over the years, and think he could have what it takes - while not extremely charismatic, he is earnest and serious without being a boring wonk, he is very comfortable and effective in both languages, and he has good group leadership and consensus building skills.
My familiarity with Saganash is much more limited, restricted to media coverage of his activities over the years. He is truly impressive and has great potential for leadership - if not as party leader now, certainly in a high profile senior critic/cabinet role. The one area where I think he would need to work is to reign in some of what comes across as a free-wheeling, casual style and come across as more focused and more like a potential PM. (And yes, I fully understand that he DOES have a record of serious accomplishments as the results of his focus and hard work, and that there are cultural issues about dress and leadership styles that play into this - I am simply trying to imagine how he would play in a national campaign). But he is clearly charismatic, has a great story, is extremely smart, meets the linguistic test, and would present a bold exciting image to the country.
There are lots of other names that should be considered - Peggy Nash is bilingual, has great labour ties, and clearly has the policy and political chops to do this. At 60, she is about at the upper age limit I'd like to see in a new leader. I've been impressed with Hélène Laverdière and wonder if she has leadership potential. Peter Julian clearly is interested and interesting, and a bilingual BC leader with significant history in Québec has lots of political potential. His identification with social movements and the generic "left" might not thrill some of the more traditional labour and Prairie base of the party, but he might have the skills to overcome those issues.
Finally, I have my doubts about either Thomas Mulcair or Brian Topp that make me seriously wonder if they are the right candidate at the right time.
Mulcair's was my MP until a move last month, and there is a lot I like about him. Yet I have serious qualms about making someone leader who joined the party 4 years ago, who considered an offer to run for the Conservatives instead, and who was part of Charest's government. My first preference in terms of party leader would be to see someone who is more steeped in the history and core beliefs of the NDP, and I have yet to be convinced that Mulcair gets that part of the deal -- and as a result, I am fearful about exactly how much he would be willing to trade off in exchange for what he perceives as a shot at power. Is Mulcair a socialist, a social democrat, a progressive, or even a small l liberal? He can be a little mercurial in his behaviours and my sense is that he isn't great at inclusive leadership and building consensus - much more of a "my way or the highway" kind of guy. And he is known to commit the kind of gaffe that could be damaging in opposition or in a campaign. That all said, the guy is a skilled political operative and he may have the package that would be needed to carry the party forward.
My experience of Brian Topp is more limited -- I knew him back at McGill 30+ years ago, and other than a few interactions with him working on the Phil Edmonston campaign 20 years ago, haven't seen him in person since. Like others, I wonder if he could successfully make the transition from back room strategist to party leader, and it isn't clear to me what his core political values or policy positions are. That said, he is clearly someone with a life-long commitment to the NDP, a very smart political strategist, and his history of campaign work in different parts of the country is a real plus. My visceral reaction to the idea of party insiders attempting to install another unelected insider as leader is partially balanced by the fact that clearly he had the complete trust of Jack, and that no one can question Brian's political smarts or his NDP bona fides.
At least in the early stages of the campaign, I hope that we see a wide open consideration of the real pool of talent that the party has, and that a full range of potential candidates are seriously looked at, lots of names I haven't mentioned -- including folks from outside of current MPs, women, visible minorities, younger candidates, and folks across a full geographic and ideological range. I hope that honest examination of leadership options takes place before the party coalesces around a single candidate or a couple of candidates.
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:19
#44
" My bet is Mr. Mulcair, as his televisual personality often portrays, has no interest in anything that doesn't benefit Thomas Mulcair. NDP support of a budget means a longer wait for Mr. Mulcair to have a title shot. Patience doesn't seem to be his strong suit. "
I think that whole "Mulcair is trying to undermine Layton by pushing for an early election" story line was always total bullshit. Its now pretty common knowledge that Jack and those around him made up their minds that they wanted an Spring election long before the budget was presented. If Mulcair made some sabre-rattling comments about bringing down the government - it was 100% part of an intentional strategy by Jack to send out mixed signals about the NDP's intentions.
There may be legitimate things to criticize about Mulcair - but that absurd media fantasy narrative that he was somehow undermining Jack when he talked about the looming budget vote is total CRAP. There is a reason why Mulcair snapped at Brian Lilley when he was asked about that - Mulcair and Layton were very close friends and I think Mulcair was genuinely offended that anyone would think that he was cynically pushing Layton into an election Layton didn't want to advance his own ambitions and then have to answer a "when did you stop beating your wife?"-type question.
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:25
#45
knownothing
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:26
#46
Can we keep the regional antagonisms to a minimum? Much of the NDP membership is in the West, so that is profile enough for a Western contender. As people have noted it is often membership from the West that puts candidates from the East over the top (against Western competitors). Similarly, I would be absolutely shocked if the membership elected anyone leader who wasn't bilingual. I expect every candidate in this race will have good French and English. Lastly, have some faith in NDP members, they are smarter than Liberals 
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:33
#47
If there is one name less often floated by pundits I would like to see actively explored right now, it would be Charlie Angus. He brings a very interesting package - represents a rural northern riding, but his history as a musician in Toronto also offers a more urban appeal. At 48, he would present a youthful energetic contrast to the other party leaders. I'm under the impression that he is fluently bilingual - and that his upbringing in a bilingual northern Ontario town means that it a very natural comfortable bilingualism, not the kind of classroom French that we sometimes see in national political figures .
I wondered about that myself but I'm told that his French actually not all that good.
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:35
#48
" My bet is Mr. Mulcair, as his televisual personality often portrays, has no interest in anything that doesn't benefit Thomas Mulcair. NDP support of a budget means a longer wait for Mr. Mulcair to have a title shot. Patience doesn't seem to be his strong suit. "(Tim Powers, G and M, March 2011) That's my perception of Thomas Mulcair too. Pompous, abrasive, self-aggrandizing, 'socialist' or social democrat in name only but not in his heart imo, divisive of cultures (Quebec vs the west) and genders.
Let's hope the NDP can do better.
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:46
#49
If there is one name less often floated by pundits I would like to see actively explored right now, it would be Charlie Angus. He brings a very interesting package - represents a rural northern riding, but his history as a musician in Toronto also offers a more urban appeal. At 48, he would present a youthful energetic contrast to the other party leaders. I'm under the impression that he is fluently bilingual - and that his upbringing in a bilingual northern Ontario town means that it a very natural comfortable bilingualism, not the kind of classroom French that we sometimes see in national political figures .
I wondered about that myself but I'm told that his French actually not all that good.
Last time I heard Charlie Angus speak French (several years ago in QP), it was quite weak but at least he had it. The same goes for Nathan Cullen. They may have improved since, but at the time I heard them, they did not have the French to be leader. Both of them are great MPs.
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:47
#50
1. FYI: Olivia Chow speaks a bit of French but not enough to have ever spoken it in public ...
Never in public? I could have sworn that I watched her appear on Tout le monde en parle with Jack. That said, I agree that her comfort level in French is low.
Sun, 2011-08-28 12:51
#51
" My bet is Mr. Mulcair, as his televisual personality often portrays, has no interest in anything that doesn't benefit Thomas Mulcair. NDP support of a budget means a longer wait for Mr. Mulcair to have a title shot. Patience doesn't seem to be his strong suit. "(Tim Powers, G and M, March 2011)
Let's hope the NDP can do better.
So let me get this straight - you are saying we shoudl shy away from Thomas Mulcair as leader because a CONSERVATIVE spin-doctor tried to cast aspersions on his motives in a panel discussion??? So, are you saying that we need to ask Tim Powers whether or not he approves of each prospective candidate for the NDP leadership?