i love mulcair's approach to this whole thing. the guy is totally right that it would be nuts not to seize the opportunity to boost membership and raise profile across the country and especially in quebec. and he's also right to take it to layton's team of backroom dealers trying to hold onto the reins.
I do think it was a bit of a gaffe for Mulcair to say he would not run at all unless the vote was set for later. It makes it sound like he isn't confident enough of his ability to attract votes from NDP members outside Quebec.