Libby Davies answers questions on NDP leadership race

Hello babblers! This seems pretty cool. My first "official" visit to babble (though like everyone else - I watch what is going on). Thanks for the invite. Look forward to your questions! 

Just one of the many lurkers.

Hey Moderators, I know this is probably far too late, and I understand if this post gets deleted from this thread.

But, I'd love to know if Libby feels that if the NDP wins government in 2015, would they immediately pass an amendment to the Canada Elections Act, replacing first past the post with proportional representation (MMP), and, would an NDP government seek to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis?

Thanks.

Hi Libby, great to see you posting here! 

Hey Libby, great to see you posting. You're great btw.

Libby Davies wrote:

Thanks for the question Tommy_Paine.  .... I believe he has good leadership and a lot experience across the country, including in govt. ...I see him up against Harper and think he'll be a sharp contender.

I find that this is what worries me about Topp. Not that he has a bad position on the issues, or isn't an appealing guy, or that he isn't smart - it's just that he has no elected experience. Now that the NDP has a realistic shot at forming government in 2015, it just seems a bit risky to pick someone who hasn't been elected before not only to lead the party, but to lead the country. I think the last Prime Minister like that was Mulroney.

Hi Boom Boom! (great name!)

To qualify but affirm what VK said:

Many of us are not worried about the lack of elected experience per se. But what other evidence is there that Brian can do what you think he can? Personaly, I already assumed you figured he had the chops. And that matters to me. But explanation would be better. [Demonstration the best, but how do we get that?]

I am not sure if it is too late for new questions, but:

Why do you think the leadership race is shaping up to be a contest of white males only? 

related: What was the determining factor in your decision not to run?

KenS wrote:

To qualify but affirm what VK said:

Many of us are not worried about the lack of elected experience per se. But what other evidence is there that Brian can do what you think he can? Personaly, I already assumed you figured he had the chops. And that matters to me. But explanation would be better. [Demonstration the best, but how do we get that?]

Actually I do think some elected experience is important. Not that anyone who runs should've been in office for twenty years or something, or that I simply won't support someone who wasn't elected before (because I could be persuaded to do so), but if they don't have any elected experience they really need to impress me with other forms of leadership experience that shows how they can manage a large and diverse organization, while still being able to operate effectively in the competitive field that is electoral politics.

Thanks for the questions Sam Boskey and dacckon.

I can't speak as to why others are supporting Brian, but for myself, I think he is thoughtful, substantive, and willing to speak out. 

The mainstream media may focus on his "inside" connections....what is that really? It means he is a key player in the NDP and has been critically invloved in getting us to where we are. That's good. His connections to the arts, labour, and community work in credit unions are being overlooked - but to me they say a lot about him.  

I've had many good conversations with Brian and really like his quiet sense of humour, his firm grasp of current issues. He's not full of false bravado, and hype. If you run into him, you can quickly get into a big conversation as I've found he likes to talk politics, not spin. 

Vansterdam Kid, I understand the concern you raise in your first comment. Brian's experience in government is not to be overlooked, and he is very familiar with the political environment and Parliament (as evidenced in his book "we almost gave the tories the boot"). I think he will make a terrific MP who will work hard for his constituency, as his experience from the labour movement, in working for his members, has taught him. 

Let me answer your question by answering Ken S' as well.  The next leader needs to be someone who can keep the party and caucus together. It needs to be someone who can stand true to their values in what we know will be an onslaught from all sides, including the media. I believe Brian has the depth and experience to do this. He's someone who can see the big picture and connect to people one on one. 

Hi Ghislaine. Thank you for the question. Romeo is First Nations, as catchfire pointed out. And there are still possibly more candidates to announce. The NDP has a great record of women in politics and in leadership positions, including two leaders, and the House Leader.  I have no doubt this record will continue. That said, I hear what you are saying about women and politics - lots more to talk about there. 

Re: my decision, you can read more here. 

Wow. That went fast! Thanks so much.  It's a good way to connect. Who knows? Maybe I'll be back!

Well, that was certainly an enlightening exercise!

Though I must admit that while reading this thread, I did get repeatedly distracted by the paint drying on the wall beside me.

Ken: good one!!!

I was concerned that it might move too fast to make sense of it all.

It was fine, but I think it could have moved a little quicker. If you read the number of hits as it was unfolding- much more real time than usual for a thread in this forum, even with the very much shortened time frame. Now this was bound to attract more than its share of interested people who just will not say anything. But I still think there were considerably more potential discussants than those who spoke.

After thinking about it, I do not think rapid discussion would be a problem for invited candidates. They are already not under any obligation to answer or even acknowledge everyone [and if it gets too fast, the mods can point out they just cannot do it... which they probably cannot even at the modest speed we were at].

Its good we tried it out first on Libby rather than a candidate. While Libby is virtually a spokesperson, it is still not the same kind of demands.

Is it time to close this thread or will Ms. Davies be doing this again in the near future?

Catchfire wrote:

We're leaving the thread open for babblers to discuss Libby's answers, and to give some feedback on the process.

How about shipping a lot of questions - the whole caboodle - to the candidates and let them reply in holistic, coherent fashion. Perhaps they could even reply with some questions of their own...i.e. do we think such and such an approach might be useful..or why it might not work. We have seen how T.Mulcair responded to E.Solomon's requirement of brief (useless) answers to his loaded questions.

Just a thought, from someone who was only reminded that Libby is one awfully nice human being.

I understand that KenS and she gave what I expected in the early days of the campaign. I'm also going through waht many NDPers no doubt are: I wasn't expecting to have to cast a vote for a fedral NDP leader in 2012.