Questions for Brian Topp, NDP leadership candidate

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Tue, 2011-10-11 12:00

MegB

Hello babblers,

You've got lots of questions for NDP federal leadership candidates, and we'd like to help you get answers.

This thread is for questions specific to Brian Topp's leadership campaign and all that the success of which would entail. Over the next few weeks and months, we will invite each NDP leadership candidate to answer your questions in a moderated discussion.

Please confine your contributions to the leadership candidate threads to questions directed at the individual candidate named in the thread title. Discussions and comments can be posted in any of the several other federal NDP threads.

Issues Pages:

NDP

Tue, 2011-10-11 12:04

NDPP

Will an NDP government take Canada out of NATO?

Tue, 2011-10-11 12:22

Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler's picture

What do you believe are the necessary preconditions before the D2P doctrine can be used to justify the RCAF bombing cities. And in retrospect did Libya meet those conditions.

Tue, 2011-10-11 12:40

KenS

D2P means what?

Tue, 2011-10-11 12:43

ottawaobserver

Questions should be directed to all of the candidates. I don't like this format.

Tue, 2011-10-11 12:49

NDPP

D2P = R2P

Duty to Protect/Responsibility to Protect

Tue, 2011-10-11 13:27

Howard

ottawaobserver wrote:

Questions should be directed to all of the candidates. I don't like this format.

I second this. Eventhough I am very skeptical of Topp, I don't want to see a gang-up. If Topp has already agreed to this format, my apologies. Otherwise, I would understand if he rejects being put to a different set of questions (and hence standard) than the other candidates.

Tue, 2011-10-11 13:33

Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler's picture

Howard wrote:

Otherwise, I would understand if he rejects being put to a different set of questions (and hence standard) than the other candidates.

I know I will be asking the same questions of all the candidates but I agree a single set of questions would be preferable.

Tue, 2011-10-11 13:39

KenS

Probably is much preferrable.

But the laundry list of questions to everyone didnt get any fish did it?

Anyone have any suggestions for a format that is most likely to bring in candidates?

Tue, 2011-10-11 14:14

#10

wage zombie

I suspect Rabble has their own plans of how they will be managing the questions and they'll be the ones arranging with candidates to participate.

Tue, 2011-10-11 14:21

#11

Boom Boom

I'd like to ask all candidates about their position on re-negotiating or cancelling NAFTA if elected.

Tue, 2011-10-11 14:30

#12

West Coast Greeny

Do you define the NDP as a Social Democratic Party, or a Democratic Socialist Party? What do either of these terms mean to you?

What role do unions have in Canada going forward? Why do you beleive unions are the target of vilification from (what I see as) a large part of the public today?

In light of the outcome in Libya, do you believe NATO's/Canada's intervention was justified?

Having never held or ran for elected office before, how do you plan to sell yourself as, ultimately, Canads's next Prime Minister? How do you plan to respond to the inevitable charge by Harper that sending a citizen with no experience as an elected official is "dangerous" for the country. (If you don't think that's coming, you're kidding yourself) . How are you going to keep Harper from defining you before you can define yourself, like Ignatieff and Dion.

Tue, 2011-10-11 14:51

#13

edmundoconnor

Will you be seeking the nomination for Toronto--Danforth?

Tue, 2011-10-11 15:04

#14

Idealistic Prag... Idealistic Pragmatist's picture

I agree with OO that the same questions should be asked to everyone.

Tue, 2011-10-11 15:10

#15

Life, the unive...

I don't mean to be argumentative, but this idea is profoundly stupid. These are annoymous posters with no responsibility for their questions. Any candidate that answered them would have to be an idiot. Also only New Democratic Party members are entitled to vote for the leader of the NDP. Through the process there will be, I assume, numerous opportunities for party members to ask questions of the potential leaders of their party. If these posters want to become NDP members and participate in the NDP process to choose a leader there is nothing stopping them. Heck if they just want to send the potential leaders an email, I bet they would get an answer. If they don't then that should say something about the candidates.

An online forum, with questions from completely annoymous posters, who may or may not have the best interest of that particular party at heart seems to me to be a very bad idea.

Tue, 2011-10-11 17:38

#16

josh

Please explain why you praised Greece's austerity policies.

Tue, 2011-10-11 18:00

#17

Life, the unive...

And again, why should any candidate answer questions posed by annoyomous posters with no responsibility for their questions? If babblers want to ask questions of NDP leadership candidates they simply have to become members, (for those who aren't) and attend a meeting or send the questions directly to candidates. If rabble wants to do something host a meeting, connect with that meeting online, but make people responsible for their questions. You are asking candidates for a party leadership to be responsible to people who may or may not have the best interests of the NDP at heart, or may even be partisans for a different party. The process is ripe for abuse.

And that leaves out the bizzareness of asking Libby Davies to respond to questions about Brian Topp's campaign.

Tue, 2011-10-11 18:09

#18

Bacchus

You dont mean to be argumentative but then deliberately use the phrasing 'profoundly stupid"?

Tue, 2011-10-11 18:11

#19

MegB

ottawaobserver wrote:

Questions should be directed to all of the candidates. I don't like this format.

I absolutely agree, and there are threads for each now -- and more if others declare.

Tue, 2011-10-11 18:15

#20

wage zombie

Life, the universe, everything wrote:

And again, why should any candidate answer questions posed by annoyomous posters with no responsibility for their questions?

Because they're promoting themselves in a leadership campaign.

Tue, 2011-10-11 18:26

#21

MegB

wage zombie wrote:

Life, the universe, everything wrote:

And again, why should any candidate answer questions posed by annoyomous posters with no responsibility for their questions?

Because they're promoting themselves in a leadership campaign.

Precisely. And as an added bonus, you get to participate in something relatively unique in federal politics - communicate with politicians in a way that isn't quite so censored as mainstream media "town hall" thingys.

Tue, 2011-10-11 19:02

#22

Life, the unive...

But if you are not a member of the NDP you have no say in the outcome. None. So will you then limit questions to only those who actually have a vote in the process? If not what is the point? To allow partisans from other parties to play gotca politics? There is nothing unique in this at all. It basically a delayed internet version of a radio call in show. This might have sounded good over coffee, but it is a bad idea for any candidate to participate in, when they should be focusing their time on actual voters - such as well NDP party members.

Tue, 2011-10-11 19:12

#23

wage zombie

You just don't get it. I don't mean to be argumentative, but your position is profoundly stupid.

Tue, 2011-10-11 19:25

#24

Catchfire

If babblers would like to discuss the folly of this exercise further, please start a rabble reactions thread. This thread is for babblers who would like the opportunity to ask Brian Topp a few questions about his leadership bid. Thanks to those who have already submitted questions!

Tue, 2011-10-11 21:52

#25

Tommy_Paine

Which shows just how difficult it was to invent the wheel, what with so many different colours to choose from.

My Keshtun for Brian Topp.

Democracies in Europe have been witness to profound perfidy from political parties that while claiming to be left of center and representative of the average/ordinary citizen, have eagrly done the bidding of the Financial Sector and have even cozied up to the likes of Rupert Murdoch.

Will a Brian Topp NDP be significantly more loyal to it's constituency than the Irish Labour Party, the British Labour Party, the Greek and French 'socialist' parties? And if so, what concrete actions would you undertake to prove that a Brian Topp lead NDP will not be just another betrayer of working people like the above examples?

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:36

#26

ottawaobserver

Oh yeah, these ones will get answered for sure. (rolls eyes)

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:37

#27

Slumberjack

A three part question if you please, in the area of foreign policy. Given the calculated track record of the NDP during the last 10 years regarding its ambiguous position on Afghanistan...'not this particular mission, but perhaps another' in support of a US controlled puppet regime in Kabul, in addition to the NDPs support for the Libyan regime change project sponsored by the Imperial lie, how much longer do you think it will take for the remaining left leaning NDP supporters to abandon the party in droves, or are you confident that a Brian Topp led party can continue to successfully string them along with social democratic sounding platitudes? And finally, what does it say about the make up of a purported social democratic party, when one can't even manage to get the rank and file stirred up in protest when they're tossed in by association as accomplices to these nauseating affairs, in Libya for instance?

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:38

#28

Caissa

It would be nice if people asked questions that had half a chance of being answered.

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:40

#29

Slumberjack

Yes, I know. Only the softballs are likely to get passed along at any rate.

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:41

#30

M. Spector M. Spector's picture

Dear Brian: What's your favourite colour?

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:43

#31

Caissa

Maybe some balance would be nice between the two extremes. If not the attempt to engage the candidates on Babble will be a complete disaster.

Wed, 2011-10-12 14:44

#32

Slumberjack

I hope its blue...it'll match with my eyes.

Wed, 2011-10-12 15:12

#33

Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler's picture

Slumberjack wrote:

A three part question if you please, in the area of foreign policy. Given the calculated track record of the NDP during the last 10 years regarding its ambiguous position on Afghanistan...'not this particular mission, but perhaps another' in support of a US controlled puppet regime in Kabul, in addition to the NDPs support for the Libyan regime change project sponsored by the Imperial lie, how much longer do you think it will take for the remaining left leaning NDP supporters to abandon the party in droves, or are you confident that a Brian Topp led party can continue to successfully string them along with social democratic sounding platitudes? And finally, what does it say about the make up of a purported social democratic party, when one can't even manage to get the rank and file stirred up in protest when they're tossed in by association as accomplices to these nauseating affairs, in Libya for instance?

Wed, 2011-10-12 15:13

#34

Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler's picture

I think there has been a call to have questions that can be answered with a Yes or No. Your question is not in that format.

How about we ask a two part question;

Do you believe in American Exceptionalism Yes or No?

If you said Yes do you believe that NATO should be controlled by the US because of that Exceptionalism.

Wed, 2011-10-12 15:29

#35

peterjcassidy peterjcassidy's picture

There is a sense amongst NDP activists in Hamilton that, instead of rushing in to pick and back our individual choices for leader, we should work together to celebrate Jacks life and legacy and "Build the party" show it is "Ready to govern". One way we want to do that is to hold a highly successful leadership candiates debate in Hamilton. with outreach to thousands of people and media coverge that reaches hundeds of thousands. We've done such before and are confident we can do it again. Are you willing to work with us, the local activists, the party centre and the other leadership campaigns in this work? More broadly, are you wiling to work. during this leadership race and beyond, with local activists, the party centre and the other leadership campaigns to "Build the party" and show we are "Ready to govern"? and how do you see us accompishing these joyous tasks?

"My Friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." - Jack Layton (1950-2011)

The struggle continues. R.I. P. Jack

Wed, 2011-10-12 22:59

#36

KenS

Tommy Paine's question [post24] is a great example. Not easy to answer, no softball. But its actually a question, rather than a demand with some token re-phrasing.

Wed, 2011-10-12 23:14

#37

Hunky_Monkey

If I recall, think Topp said he wouldn't answer questions from supporters of other campaigns.

If the question is respectful and serious, why not?

This is a preferential ballot, is it not? People will have to mark down their other choices besides their preferred candidate.

Wed, 2011-10-12 23:20

#38

KenS

I dont have the post in front of me. But the gist of what Brian was saying was that he would not answer mischievous / ill intentioned questions from other campaigns... and he had in mind the campaigns themselves, not supporters.

I'm sure neither he or anyone else would reject tough but fair questions, just because they come from someone that intends to support another candidate.

Wed, 2011-10-12 23:25

#39

Boom Boom

How would Brian know which candidate a questioner supports?

Wed, 2011-10-12 23:50

#40

Howard

what is your favourite campaign story/anecdote?

Thu, 2011-10-13 02:45

#41

M. Spector M. Spector's picture

Dear Brian: Where did you hide the [url=http://rabble.ca/babble/news-rest-us/ndp-preamble-missing]preamble[/url] to the federal party's constitution?

Thu, 2011-10-13 07:55

#42

knownothing knownothing's picture

Boom Boom wrote:

How would Brian know which candidate a questioner supports?

Oh he knows. He knows.

Thu, 2011-10-13 08:45

#43

knownothing knownothing's picture

Question:

What happened to the preamble to the constitution?

Thu, 2011-10-13 11:22

#44

Northern Shoveler Northern Shoveler's picture

Hunky_Monkey wrote:

If I recall, think Topp said he wouldn't answer questions from supporters of other campaigns. If the question is respectful and serious, why not? This is a preferential ballot, is it not? People will have to mark down their other choices besides their preferred candidate.

I was hoping that this vote would be like the BC NDP vote. You could mail in a preferential ballot ahead of time or go on-line or telephone in a preferential ballot when the polls opened or you could do as I did and vote in real time for each ballot. That is the option that is the most like going to a convention and is certainly the option I want.

Thu, 2011-10-13 14:15

#45

StuartACParker

Will you maintain the policy of empowering head office staff to blacklist (i.e. prohibit from seeking a federal nomination anywhere in Canada) members in good standing for simply expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement with the party? If so, do you plan to create an appeal process or will the unelected staff continue to retain total authority to blacklist party members at will and without accountability or review?

Thu, 2011-10-13 15:14

#46

Unionist

1. Do you recognize Québec's right to secede from Canada based solely on a 50% + 1 vote on a referendum question determined by the Assemblée Nationale?

2. Do you support the amendment of the Canada Labour Code to incorporate the same anti-scab provisions as the Québec code?

3. Do you support the application of Bill 101 to enterprises under federal jurisdiction in Québec?

Thu, 2011-10-13 16:22

#47

Boom Boom

1. What assurrance can you offer that you will not end up like Mr. Ignatieff? You're probably mostly unknown outside of the NDP.

2. If you become leader, and run in a byelection for a seat in Parliament, what will you do if you lose that byelection?

Fri, 2011-10-14 10:24

#48

dacckon

To Brian Topp,

Do you still hold senior positions within organizations such as ACTRA and being on the board of directors of a whole lotta places? If so, will you resign those positions during the leadership race?

What is your income, before taxes(since you seem to work multiple jobs)? If its way above average, how will you avoid the deadly title that has destroyed left-wing politicians: Champagne socialist? Can you also describe in detail the function of each job post you hold.

Oh and of course, my list here.

Fri, 2011-10-14 10:36

#49

Boom Boom

dacckon wrote:

What is your income, before taxes(since you seem to work multiple jobs)?

Is it fair or reasonable to be asking this question? I felt a twinge of discomfort when I read this. It's nobody's business but Brian's what his income is - right?

Fri, 2011-10-14 10:41

#50

knownothing knownothing's picture

I think it does matter. It will come out eventually

Fri, 2011-10-14 10:47

#51

dacckon

Thats true but, the title of champagne socialist is brutal. This is currently haunting the social democrats in Sweden. Any scandals involving finances of the new leader will totally damage the NDP, so although its a personal question, its one that we must ask in order to prevent a future tragedy. Best to clarify this now than later.

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