Libby Davies answers questions on NDP leadership race

Tue, 2011-10-18 13:10

KenS

Caissa wrote:

As someone still trying to make up my mind who to vote for in the leadership race, I don't yet feel like I completely understand why she is supporting Brian Topp.

We ask tough questions. Libby answers them, and I think she did great.

But we have to realize even more so when it comes to the candidates themselves- but your concern is an example of one for which it was difficult for Libby to say everything- they are only going to go so far in answering tough questions. It is up to us to make what we can and what we will of what the candidates do say.

ETA: One thing that is tough to answer is questions that to answer with complete forthrightness requires bumping up against the strategy choices of your campaign. In the end, if not immediately, you can NEVER look anything but a crass opportunist doing that. Its a hopeless minfield. Small wonder politicaly experienced people do not venture there.

Tue, 2011-10-18 13:38

#53

Polunatic2

It would be great if Libby could answer at least some the unanswered questions from the other thread (at her leisure).

Tue, 2011-10-18 14:33

#54

OnTheLeft

M. Spector wrote:

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.

Tue, 2011-10-18 14:43

#55

knownothing knownothing's picture

Thanks Libby for doing that. However, she gave the same answers she had already given before.

Tue, 2011-10-18 15:08

#56

oldgoat

OnTheleft, there is just no way I can believe that M Spector, as much as I love and admire him, is anywhere near that cute.

Tue, 2011-10-18 18:12

#57

Pogo

I was pleasantly surprised. Very productive tone to the whole event. This is definitely something that babble needs to do more. I am not sure a simple thread is the best method. I kind of imagine each question spawning its own thread with special treatment (perhaps even just a colour or font that sticks out) for the guest of honour. I felt it was hard to immediately connect her answers to a specific question and I was going back and forth looking for the stream of thought going into each statement.

Tue, 2011-10-18 18:21

#58

Vansterdam Kid

Gaian wrote:
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 like this idea. There are certain limitations inherent in how much information can be put into a chat-like format. At the same time I don't necessarily want to read an essay when having my questions answered - so a questionnaire (if that's what you're proposing) has it's limitations too.

Tue, 2011-10-18 19:08

#59

Tommy_Paine

I got booted off my computer because skype is on it, and I couldn't use the Mac that the person who booted me off my computer uses.

Your fault, Catchfire.

But before that, as it started, I found myself finally writting a follow up question, but being kind of confused about just how we were going to do this-- whether to wait until all the prepared questions were read and answered first, then open it up for a free for all, or just let the free for all happen.

I don't have a preference as to either format or how it's to be done, but I think it will work better if we choose and stick with a style.

Wed, 2011-10-19 02:01

#60

Gaian

Coherence would be good, whatever the "style."

But could we see what the candidates consider important as well...when they have answered a good number of those other questions? And could they then pose questions for babble to ruminate on, tear at in typical fashion, and then respond to in reasonable time?

Catchfire's editing missed that part:"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."

Wed, 2011-10-19 11:48

#61

Catchfire

Tommy, hasn't rabble sprung for a new iPhone and laptop yet? Maybe Rebecca hawked 'em and is keeping the profits while you're lending out your computer like a dang fool.

I take your point that we could have been clearer about the format--of course, you try keeping an MP on plan. I'm tempted to make the cat-herding analogy, but I think herding MPs is a more accurate one.

@Gaian, I hear your point about coherence, but I think a candidate asking questions of us would be a question of personal style and taste, no? At any rate, we want to keep this basic format for the time being. Any ideas on how to improve it as such?

Wed, 2011-10-19 11:55

#62

Slumberjack

A belt of whiskey?

Wed, 2011-10-19 11:59

#63

Gaian

It would bring relevance - what the candidate would be speaking to Canadians about generally, beyond the intense intellectual renderings here - along with coherence. Personal style and taste mean diddly squat. Speaking ability, dexterity (knowledge) of the primary needs facing the citizenry, perhaps not so much concern about the middle east, in keeping with Canadians' tendency toward a more narrow and selfish focus on economic matters, jobs, food for the family, etc. etc.

You know, broader than babble ?

Wed, 2011-10-19 13:53

#64

M. Spector M. Spector's picture

Yeah, more like the Globe and Mail, you know?

Wed, 2011-10-19 16:05

#65

Gaian

Perhaps with troubling concepts from political economy and the real world, the concern of some earlier socialists you profess to know. :)

Wed, 2011-10-19 17:56

#66

M. Spector M. Spector's picture

Or should I say the New York Times? Isn't that still your favourite paper?

Wed, 2011-10-19 18:20

#67

Tommy_Paine

I take your point that we could have been clearer about the format--of course, you try keeping an MP on plan. I'm tempted to make the cat-herding analogy, but I think herding MPs is a more accurate one.

It was the first time for something so there were no "mistakes" or "we could haves". It was an experiment, and there are only things we learned.

And thinking about that, Libby should be commended for going first, knowing this was uncharted waters.

Fri, 2011-10-21 16:46

#68

Howard

Thank you Libby for participating (and mods for organising this). Beyond the fact that you can thank the poster in real time (which is nice), I find this chat format a little odd for a format like a bulletin board. It also has the disadvatange that all chats have in that if you are not present/able/informed of the chat start time, you miss the opportunity to participate. Given that most of the questions were prescreened and the discussion moderated, I would be happy/fine if in the future the moderators put the questions to politician directly and then posted the interview transcript on the rabble homepage. Of course, then babblers don't get to react or ask for clarifications, but it seems like a more natural format to me.

Tue, 2011-12-06 01:39

#69

Howard

Given that you joined the NDP caucus in supporting the Libya mission, what do you see as the role for the Canadian military, particularly in Canada's foreign affairs?

Libby Davies answers questions on NDP leadership race

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