On instruction from our fearless mod at the end of this closed thread, I bring you ... Part 34!
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NDP Leadership Thread - Part 34
Tue, 2011-11-08 00:57
#1
NDP Leadership Thread - Part 34
Tue, 2011-11-08 01:08
#2
Malcolm
I wonder - could whoever it was tried to claim Niki Ashton's French was lousy please explain to me why the Quebec franco media were going on and on and on about how good Niki Ashton's French was? Should I conclude that Quebec francophones have no idea what constitutes good French?
Tue, 2011-11-08 01:33
#3
Who said that, Malcolm?
Tue, 2011-11-08 01:48
#4
Malcolm
Don't recall who it was, but some babbler went on at length about it several threads ago.
Tue, 2011-11-08 03:19
#5
It is Niki Ashton's Cree and Chinese which are lousy - her French, Greek and Spanish are just fine!
I saw Niki Ashton on P&P and thought she did a good job of evading the questions! Evan Solomon did not get a straight answer out of her.
Tue, 2011-11-08 03:21
#6
Occupy Winnipeg (facebook) are a bit annoyed at Niki Ashton's dad because he won't let them use the bathrooms inside the Leg any more.
Tue, 2011-11-08 08:06
#7
Someone said that the Lewis clan had backed the winning leadership candidate since the CCF became the NDP - did I miss it but do we know who they're supporting this time?
Tue, 2011-11-08 08:17
#8
It is far from clear that Mulcair, and not the reporter, said he would "steer the party to the right" or that Topp is the candidate of "the rank and file."
Neither phrase purports to be an actual quote and both seem more likely to be conclusions drawn by the reporter.
If so, what is the basis for these Interpretations?
With the quality of the media out there? If Mulcair said he wants to modernize the party more... to the media, that means moving right. And he may have mentioned Dominic when naming off some people outside Quebec who are supporting him... nothing else.
I think I've seen video (or at least heard audio) of Mulcair using very close to that language himself, plus there are the very odd articles that his team has posted approvingly to his website which make the same point.
Believe me, I am all-too-aware of how reporters for community papers get things garbled, and try to insert the common wisdom of the national media as their stab at "analysis". But that's why I also try to listen to things in the original, and from the horse's mouth.
I'm more than willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt, but as yet he's not running away too hard from those assertions that are being repeatedly made of him.....
"Not running too hard from these assertions" is an understatement.
If it was one interview based article, or two.... sure, you write it off to the media very frequently do not get this stuff right. In this particular article I pointed out myself that it is all the reporter 'reporting' and that you do not see unambiguouly affirming echoes in the quotations.
But this narrative of reporters supposedly 'reading in' happens over and over. And it is all in one direction.
Could still be just the echo chamber of media interpretations. But this is a highly scrutinized leadership race in which the campaigns can at least influence what is out there. In fact, all of them, let alone the front runners, can get any main theme out there they want- or contradict one if they want. We've seen Tom Mulcair do that repeatedly.
Do you still hear the Mulcair abrasive narrative as a main theme in the MSM? Not at all. Because he and his campaign put the boots to it. They succeeded while Mulcair doing what is viewed by a lot of us as playing to that stereotype. But its gone from the MSM narrative on him, because he and the campaign made sure to put something else out there.
But this narrative of Mulcair the centrist and/or moving the NDP to the right is always there in the articles... and nothing else is put out.
Tue, 2011-11-08 08:34
#9
If Mulcair said he wants to modernize the party more... to the media, that means moving right. And he may have mentioned Dominic when naming off some people outside Quebec who are supporting him... nothing else.
Which is a reference to this bit in the article where Mulcair is interviewed.
"Canada is a G-7 country. We're one of the leading countries in the world and we've got to make sure that the party is up to the task." Mulcair cited one of his supporters, New Brunswick NDP leader Dominic Leblanc, who advocates Third Way liberal thinking.
Obviously that is garbled. Besides getting Dominic Cardy's name wrong- I can tell that cannot be a strict accounting of what Mulcair said.
And it was noted beyond media garbling and repeating their own narratives, this is a community newspaper.
But what percentage of babblers know that Dominic Cardy is an unrepentant Bairite and explicit advocate of the Third Way? And what percentage of the media know that? Or ever write about Dominic Cardy? So we are supposed to chalk this reporter interpretation up to him pulling it out of the floating MSM narrative?
While the reporter did garble it, he did not invent that narrative or pull it from somewhere outside that interview or a prior briefing by the campaign.
Tue, 2011-11-08 08:35
#10
Boom Boom
I thought Ashton was just awful in that P&P interview - contrast that to the excellent interview that Saganash gave last Friday. The only candidate I have yet to hear from now is Martin Singh. So far, only Nash and Saganash inspire.
Tue, 2011-11-08 08:38
#11
I dont know who the Lewis clan are backing. And even if someone finds out and brings the info here- it is the historial pattern that is notable, and this is a break in the pattern. Because previously there was no doubt who they were supporting- that is the kind of support that is relevant to the point.
Tue, 2011-11-08 09:18
#12
BTW, that Mulcair article/interview on his site that created a stir here on this same question, and saw eyebrows raised even by supporters... it is still there.
One of only 10 news items potsed- so no oversight. With only one more- on Marston's support- posted in the week since.
Tue, 2011-11-08 09:24
#13
Malcolm
Someone said that the Lewis clan had backed the winning leadership candidate since the CCF became the NDP - did I miss it but do we know who they're supporting this time?
No member of the Lewis family has yet (to my knowledge) made a public declaration - but their usual circle are all lining up behind Brian Topp.
Tue, 2011-11-08 09:33
#14
I wouldnt take that as definitive. And like I said, when we are talking a general point- it was obvious in the past. No interpretation required.
For what its worth, when Malcolm made the point my thought was "does that say that there support is always intrumental" in Malcolms words, that they have always got their way....
...or just that Lewis clan is really good at picking who the winner will be- which is always a blending of who you most want and who you think can win.
Tue, 2011-11-08 09:37
#15
Idealistic Prag...
But this narrative of Mulcair the centrist and/or moving the NDP to the right is always there in the articles... and nothing else is put out.
That's exactly what's bothering me about it. I know the media has been getting things wrong more often than right about this leadership race...but if you want a misconception to go away, you put out another narrative.
If I had another opportunity to have a conversation with him, that's the very first thing I'd ask him about. "What does the term 'centrist' mean to you? Do you consider yourself a centrist?"
Tue, 2011-11-08 11:14
#16
FYI: The "Lewis clan" does not seem to gets its way so much in the Ontario NDP - you know the party that Stephen Lewis actually led for many years. I believe that the Lewis's backed Tabuns for leader - he lost to Horwath. I'm not sure who they backed in 1996 but it would not surprise me if they supported Lankin and not Howard Hampton.
Tue, 2011-11-08 13:41
#17
This piece is about the Harper attempt to scare Quebec away from the NDP (and back into the waiting arms of ....). It is about the leadership race only in that it provides some context for what the next party leader faces from Harper on Quebec.
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2011/11/insult-quebec-why-not-i’m-prime-mi...
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:10
#18
I put him down as playing to francophobes, which is sort of like "prejudiced anglophones," I guess.
But knowing what the Poo Bahs of the NDP outside of Quebec are up to is more mysterious. Harper plays wedge issues as he has learned from U.S. political strategists of the right, the game they've played ever since Mike Harris hired the bastards from south of the border in '94. But what is the leadership of the NDP up to? Topp couldn't describe what economic renewal would look like for this country any more than he could lay the groundwork for renewal in the birthplace of Canadian democratic socialism, Saskatchewan.
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:17
#19
But this narrative of Mulcair the centrist and/or moving the NDP to the right is always there in the articles... and nothing else is put out.
That's exactly what's bothering me about it. I know the media has been getting things wrong more often than right about this leadership race...but if you want a misconception to go away, you put out another narrative.
If I had another opportunity to have a conversation with him, that's the very first thing I'd ask him about. "What does the term 'centrist' mean to you? Do you consider yourself a centrist?"
Or if he wants to move the centre to the NDP, where does he think the NDP is, or should be?
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:44
#20
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/11/08/pol-romeo-saganash-profile.html
Another new article on Romeo Saganash, this time a profile from cbc.ca - a very interesting read
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:51
#21
I think most of the candidates have wisely decided not to weigh into too many policy areas that would have caused grief for our cousins in Saskatchewan. Now that that bloodbath is over, and our likely final candidate is in the race, we can expect to see a lot more policy offerings being put out there, I think.
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:52
#22
Malcolm
FYI: The "Lewis clan" does not seem to gets its way so much in the Ontario NDP - you know the party that Stephen Lewis actually led for many years. I believe that the Lewis's backed Tabuns for leader - he lost to Horwath. I'm not sure who they backed in 1996 but it would not surprise me if they supported Lankin and not Howard Hampton.
They also didn't suport Cassidy. (Don't recall who it is they did support.) Some have argued (not sure I would) that Cassidy was consistently undermined from that point forward.
Tue, 2011-11-08 14:57
#23
Malcolm
I wouldnt take that as definitive. And like I said, when we are talking a general point- it was obvious in the past. No interpretation required.
For what its worth, when Malcolm made the point my thought was "does that say that there support is always intrumental" in Malcolms words, that they have always got their way....
...or just that Lewis clan is really good at picking who the winner will be- which is always a blending of who you most want and who you think can win.
My interpretation would be that "they always go their way" because they had significant influence in how various blocks of votes would be cast. Even in the last race, the Lewis influence with the bulk of organized labour gave Layton a significant edge.
I would speculate, however, that in a pure OMOV system, their influence is likely to be diminished precisely because it is only influence and that neither they nor any of those establishment figures they influence has much if any control over anything.
Tue, 2011-11-08 17:19
#24
I thought Ashton was just awful in that P&P interview - contrast that to the excellent interview that Saganash gave last Friday. The only candidate I have yet to hear from now is Martin Singh. So far, only Nash and Saganash inspire.
Have to disagree on Saganash. I didn't think he was very effective at all.
Tue, 2011-11-08 17:31
#25
They [the "Lewis clan"] also didn't suport Cassidy. (Don't recall who it is they did support.)
Ian Deans, I believe it was.
Tue, 2011-11-08 18:14
#26
But this narrative of Mulcair the centrist and/or moving the NDP to the right is always there in the articles... and nothing else is put out.
That's exactly what's bothering me about it. I know the media has been getting things wrong more often than right about this leadership race...but if you want a misconception to go away, you put out another narrative.
If I had another opportunity to have a conversation with him, that's the very first thing I'd ask him about. "What does the term 'centrist' mean to you? Do you consider yourself a centrist?"
Or if he wants to move the centre to the NDP, where does he think the NDP is, or should be?
I don't suppose many would be interested in developing focus groups out there in voterland, trying to determine what a social democrat would have to do to get elected. Probably the Saskatchewan New Democrats wouldn't hear of that, intent on retaining their virtue.
A lot of farmers who didn't want to have to sell their grain to Cargill et al when the wheat board is buried, voted for the New Democrats. Heck, one wonders what more a social democratic party would want to run on than a central campaign issue of co-operative marketing. But I suspect that party central didn't know a helluva lot more about where the farm community was at on election eve. Only Conservatives poll and organize focus groups leading up to battles for votes, the nasty, power-hungry beggars, eh?
Imagine some centrist wanting the party to play to the mainstream, play to represent, say, the industrial workers now being laid off by the tens of thousands because of economic policies that favour only the production of commodities, and to hell with the exchange value of the loonie. The nerve of someone allowing that narrative to run unchecked. :)
Tue, 2011-11-08 23:15
#27
part of Jack Layton’s new generation. “Montreal is a pretty cool city,” Ashton said. . . Despite her rural constituency, she recently voted in favour of keeping the long gun registry.
I am a Manitoba New Democrat where we were recently elected a fourth term majority NDP government. In Manitoba we have proven that you can combine a strong economy with an innovative social and economic agenda.
Full text:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/11/07/new-politics-2/
Ashton is young. She’s not even 30. But one thing anyone who has ever met her will tell you, she is not afraid of much. . . In an era when we so desperately need young Canadians to get more engaged and involved in our government, we should never discourage someone from running for any office because they aren’t old enough. Anyone courageous enough to put their name on a ballot should be commended.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/blogs/rabson/The-fountain-of-youth-133483313.html
Ms. Ashton launched her leadership bid in Montreal in an effort to present a vision of “new” politics and the need to bridge the West, Quebec and Ontario, according to her campaign co-chair, Saskatchewan lawyer Noah Evanchuk.
“What’s important to me is to bring forward voices that aren’t connected to the formal political system and many of those voices are the voices of young people and people of our generation that are increasingly feeling disconnected from what we call politics,” said Ashton. . .“That’s part of the excitement of new politics,” the 29-year-old MP from Thompson, Man., told the Star on Monday after launching her bid to replace the late Jack Layton as party leader. “It’s about thinking about leadership differently and thinking about politics differently.”
Ashton was by far the youngest MP in the NDP caucus — and the youngest woman in the Commons — when she was first elected to represent Churchill in 2008, but with the “orange wave” sending so many young rookies from Quebec to Ottawa last spring, she is now one of the veterans.
http://www.thestar.com/article/1082756--niki-ashton-joins-ndp-leadership-race
she laid out her vision for "new politics," saying it is about equality, the environment, peace, culture, community and innovation. "New politics sees greater equality as key to Canada's future. It sees that poverty is unacceptable, starting with the third world conditions that face aboriginal people today in a country as wealthy as Canada," said Ashton, adding that new politics also sees climate change as a key challenge."New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said.
"I am part of the Jack Layton generation," the 29-year-old MP said. Ashton noted that in 2008 she was the youngest woman elected to the House of Commons. "Today, there are many young MPs, many women, many people of different backgrounds that join us there. Together we have broken down barriers," she said.
"New politics says that age is not a barrier," Ashton said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/07/pol-ndp-niki-ashton.html
"Think new," she said. "New politics says that age is not a barrier... In new politics, a 33-year-old woman can be elected as your prime minister."
Le député Jean-François Larose a affirmé après l'événement que plusieurs autres députés, au Québec et ailleurs, allaient bientôt se ranger publiquement derrière la candidate du Manitoba.
Niki Ashton était de passage à L’Assomption le dimanche . . . « Ce coin de pays est très beau. La ville possède un cachet unique et les gens y
sont très chaleureux. »« Niki Ashton peut travailler à continuer la percée du NPD au Québec et peut
amener le parti à la tête du gouvernement. Elle incarne tout ce que représentait
Jack Layton », croit le député de Repentigny. « Elle s’exprime dans un français impeccable. Elle adore notre langue et ses
subtilités. Nous avons tous les deux un fervent désir de défendre la culture,
les familles et les étudiants », exprime le député du NPD. Elle met l’accent sur l’importance de la province de Québec pour tous les
Canadiens-français vivant hors du Québec et qui attendent le leadership de la
province dans l’affirmation des distinctions précieuses que la culture
francophone offre au tissu culturel canadien. « Je fais partie de la génération
de Jack Layton. Ensemble, nous pouvons développer ne nouvelle politique pour le
Canada », conclut la candidate.
Elle rétorque que Robert Bourassa n’avait que 36 ans lorsqu’il a été élu chef du
Parti libéral et premier ministre du Québec. Elle aura pour sa part 33 ans aux
prochaines élections fédérales dans quatre ans.
http://fr.canoe.ca/infos/quebeccanada/archives/2011/11/20111107-144801.html
Tue, 2011-11-08 23:57
#28
Wilf, I think you're in love.
Wed, 2011-11-09 01:44
#29
Malcolm
What's not to love?
Wed, 2011-11-09 01:59
#30
I'm not crazy on the "new politics" language, to be honest. It doesn't mean anything, and pops up at least once in every generation, usually preceding political disaster. I will grant you that this was just a kick-off and there is time yet to flesh things out. But that messaging alone - without any more meat on the bone - with its very thin content, only unfortunately draws attention to her one weakness (which is not her age, but her inexperience for the job she's applying for).
Sorry, but you asked.
The "Jack Layton's generation" bit was nice. And she looked great. But she still hasn't told me yet really why she's running, unless it's to advance "new politics", in which case I'm clearly not the intended audience for that message.
Wed, 2011-11-09 02:23
#31
"New politics" may just be a constrast to the way the Liberals and Tories do politics.
Wed, 2011-11-09 03:31
#32
Malcolm
And arguably to the way Topp and Mulcair do politics.
Wed, 2011-11-09 04:51
#33
And arguably to the way Topp and Mulcair do politics.
I think, Malcolm, that if you investigate the political CONCERNS of the two mentioned, the content of their message, you will find a distinct difference. Niki Ashton's focus on the economy parallels Mulcair's, and that is what gets her elected in Churchill, much more than her appeal to the youth of that Hudson Bay port town and the 22 of 28 municipalities she has to fly into.
quote:"New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said. I have no idea what OO does not understand about "new politics" given that explanation.
After a winter of continuing massive layoffs and growing concern for answers, a spring convention will want more meat on the campaign bone than "new politics".
That said, Niki is one helluva impressive human being,political leader and future PM.
Wed, 2011-11-09 06:20
#34
The "Lewis faction" has had a strong influence on party conventions going back to CCF days when David Lewis forged an alliance between the party establishment and labour to marginalized the left. It is still present although it maw be weaker with a OMOV system. I can give some perspective on it's role in the 1989 convention where I organized for Dave Barrett. Initially most of the party establishment lined up behind Audrey McLaughlin but started getting cold feet after her poor performance at an OFL meeting in Port Elgin. Bob Rae was encouraged to enter but Dave Barrett was recruited by about a third of the caucus and sucked up much of the anti-mcLaughlin oxygen. The Lewises were non-enthusiastic backers of McLaughlin. Gerry Caplan certainly backed her (his wife was her campaign manager) and so did Michael Lewis. But their support was largely an anti-Barrett support. Antipathy between the Lewises and Barrett went way back. Barrett was an early supporter of the Waffle. In about 1969 Stephen flew to Vancouver to persuade Tommy Douglas to retire. When Barrett heard this he tracked Stephen down to a restaurant in Chinatown, dragged him into an alley and beat him up. I am not inventing this. When Barrett ran for the provincial leadership in 69 Michael Lewis was a staff organizer but instead of remaing neutral as he should used his position to recruit for Barrett' s main opponent Tom Berger. He was heavily criticized for this. Barrett spoke out against undue labour influence over the party, even throwing USW president Lynn Williams out of his office when he demanded some changes to legislation. So the Lewis faction had a dilemma at the 89 convention - support a candidate they did not have any faith in or support a long-time political enemy. McLaughlin's convention speech was so bad it is almost legendary. Stephen went on TV afterwards and described it sorrowfully as "vacuous." He had sheer anguish in his voice. He phoned Barrett late that night and told hom hoe would publicly support him the next day. Overnight something happened. Michael Lewis and the rest of the faction worked furiously to shore up McLaughlin's support. They sold the line that Broadbent made the worst speech at his convention but turned out to be a good leader. I always thought that was a ridiculous argument but it worked with enough delegates desperate to chose a woman leader. Stephen's public endorement never came.
Wed, 2011-11-09 07:29
#35
Wed, 2011-11-09 07:46
#36
knownothing
I think, Malcolm, that if you investigate the political CONCERNS of the two mentioned, the content of their message, you will find a distinct difference. Niki Ashton's focus on the economy parallels Mulcair's, and that is what gets her elected in Churchill, much more than her appeal to the youth of that Hudson Bay port town and the 22 of 28 municipalities she has to fly into. quote:"New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said. I have no idea what OO does not understand about "new politics" given that explanation. After a winter of continuing massive layoffs and growing concern for answers, a spring convention will want more meat on the campaign bone than "new politics". That said, Niki is one helluva impressive human being,political leader and future PM.And arguably to the way Topp and Mulcair do politics.
Actually her main support is the unions from the mines in towns like Flin Flon and Creighton.
Wed, 2011-11-09 08:00
#37
Boom Boom
"New politics" to me is some form of PR. Everything else can wait until this happens.
Wed, 2011-11-09 08:11
#38
"New politics" to me is some form of PR. Everything else can wait until this happens.
She is spelling it out for you, Boomer: "New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said.
Wed, 2011-11-09 08:15
#39
I think, Malcolm, that if you investigate the political CONCERNS of the two mentioned, the content of their message, you will find a distinct difference. Niki Ashton's focus on the economy parallels Mulcair's, and that is what gets her elected in Churchill, much more than her appeal to the youth of that Hudson Bay port town and the 22 of 28 municipalities she has to fly into. quote:"New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said. I have no idea what OO does not understand about "new politics" given that explanation. After a winter of continuing massive layoffs and growing concern for answers, a spring convention will want more meat on the campaign bone than "new politics". That said, Niki is one helluva impressive human being,political leader and future PM.And arguably to the way Topp and Mulcair do politics.
Actually her main support is the unions from the mines in towns like Flin Flon and Creighton.
Actually, that is what I indicated: "Niki Ashton's focus on the economy parallels Mulcair's, and that is what gets her elected in Churchill, much more than her appeal to the youth of that Hudson Bay port town and the 22 of 28 municipalities she has to fly into. quote:"New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said."
Churchill is the name of the riding AND the town.
Wed, 2011-11-09 08:34
#40
Boom Boom
She is spelling it out for you, Boomer: "New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said."New politics" to me is some form of PR. Everything else can wait until this happens.
All of which is nonsense until some form of PR is mandated. Otherwise it's business as usual.
Wed, 2011-11-09 10:34
#41
I have a question to throw out to everyone in this thread. We know from what happened in Saskatchewan what a BAD leader looks like. Its true that maybe no one could have defeated Brad Wall - but the fact remains that Lingenfelter had sky-high negatives and clearly ran way behnd the party.
We have nine people running for the federal NDP leadership. Which of them is the most similar to Dwayne Lingenfelter so that I know who NOT to vote for.
Wed, 2011-11-09 10:36
#42
I think, Malcolm, that if you investigate the political CONCERNS of the two mentioned, the content of their message, you will find a distinct difference. Niki Ashton's focus on the economy parallels Mulcair's, and that is what gets her elected in Churchill, much more than her appeal to the youth of that Hudson Bay port town and the 22 of 28 municipalities she has to fly into. quote:"New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and we must protect our public services and that we must control our economic destiny as Canadians," she said. I have no idea what OO does not understand about "new politics" given that explanation.And arguably to the way Topp and Mulcair do politics.
How it differs from what any other NDPer or Canadian social democrat has said since CB Macpherson.
Wed, 2011-11-09 10:47
#43
It seems to me that "new politics" sometimes refers to new policies or at least policies that are new compared to what the incumbent government is implementing, other times "new politics" has nothing to do with policy and it is all about a new method of campaigning. For example using social media extensively to reach people would be considered "new politics" compared to what was done 10 years ago...but someone on the far right could just as easily do that.
Wed, 2011-11-09 10:48
#44
Boom Boom
"New politics" is indeed old.
Wed, 2011-11-09 11:08
#45
Northern Shoveler
BC still has the largest membership base and quite frankly no one here has cared what the Lewis Clan thinks for at least a decade if not longer. That is not to say that Stephen is not a good speaker on the rubber chicken circuit because he is.
Now I don't know maybe the Clan still has some great sway over the members who live in the Centre of the Universe Province but certainly not here. And lets face it if they really are still very influential in the Ontario party it shows they have little in the way of political smarts. One provincial government in 50 years under their watch and still in third place both federally and provincially.
Why would anyone care what they think other than maybe to run the other way from their advice.
Wed, 2011-11-09 11:36
#46
NS - it has been noted above that the "Lewis clan" has backed the loser in almost every Ontario NDP leadership contest since Stephen Lewis stepped own. The one time they backed a winner was the one time they probably wish they hadn't - Bob Rae in 1982
Wed, 2011-11-09 11:52
#47
Northern Shoveler
So you are saying that not many in Ontario listen to them either. That would have been my impression but the posts above gave me the idea that some thought they would be influential trend setters.
Wed, 2011-11-09 11:58
#48
I think people like Stephen Lewis are influential - but that doesn't make them dictators who can hand pick who wins or loses in every contest. That being said, if i were running to lead the NDP federally or in Ontario - I would rather be endorsed by Stephen Lewis than NOT be endorsed by Stephen Lewis.
Wed, 2011-11-09 12:01
#49
Northern Shoveler
I think people like Stephen Lewis are influential - but that doesn't make them dictators who can hand pick who wins or loses in every contest. That being said, if i were running to lead the NDP federally or in Ontario - I would rather be endorsed by Stephen Lewis than NOT be endorsed by Stephen Lewis.
With what you say is their track record in picking winners I don't think I would.
Wed, 2011-11-09 12:20
#50
Wilf, I think you're in love.
Well, I admit she wasn't quite ready for Evan Soloman. I'm not committed to any candidate yet.
I'm not crazy on the "new politics" language, to be honest. It doesn't mean anything, and pops up at least once in every generation, usually preceding political disaster. I will grant you that this was just a kick-off and there is time yet to flesh things out. But that messaging alone - without any more meat on the bone - with its very thin content, only unfortunately draws attention to her one weakness (which is not her age, but her inexperience for the job she's applying for).
Niki Ashton IS the new politics, without saying a word. The wording fleshes it out a bit.
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/11/07/new-politics-2/#more-224107
Je vous invite à vous joindre au mouvement et à notre parti afin de bâtir un nouveau style de politique.
Au Canada, aujourd’hui, les conservateurs sont l’essence de la vielle politique.
The old politics of Stephen Harper sees deliberate division as a political tactic.
Elle cherche à diviser les canadiens, par leurs régions, par leurs backgrounds, par leur orientation sexuelle, simplement afin d’obtenir leur vote. La vielle politique cherche à imposer ses visions économiques et sociales à tous les canadiens.
New politics seeks to bring Canadians together.
It is socially progressive and believes in tolerance and understanding.
La nouvelle politique cherche plutôt à permettre aux Canadiens de se rassembler.
Il s’agit d’une approche sociale et progressiste et croit en la tolérance et la compréhension.
La vielle politique voit la pauvreté, les inégalités et les injustices comme des simples choses de la vie.
New politics sees greater equality as being key to our future as a country. It says there is no excuse for poverty, particularly the third world conditions facing Aboriginal people in a country as wealthy as Canada.
La vielle politique de Steven Harper voit le Canada de plus en plus impliqué dans les conflits mondiaux.
La nouvelle politique cherche à reconstruire le rôle du Canada dans la promotion de la paix et de la réconciliation mondiale.
New Politics seeks to make the fight against global poverty Canada`s number one priority on the world stage.
La vielle politique fait semblant de s’attaquer aux changements climatiques.
New politics sees climate change as one of the key challenges of our time.
The old politics of Stephen Harper is about ending things, Today it is the Wheat Board tomorrow it will be marketing boards, the CBC and medicare.
La nouvelle politique propose de nouvelles solutions. Elle propose de conserver ce qui fonctionne et de développer des solutions innovatrices.
New politics says it does matter who owns our economy and that we must protect our public services and control our own economic destiny as Canadians.
New politics is proud of our roots and our values. We believe you don’t have to sacrifice your values or principles for power.
Nous sommes fiers de nos causes communes avec les mouvements de travailleurs à travers le pays. Nous sommes dévoué à travailler pour créer des opportunités avec le monde financier. Nous voyions la culture comme partie intégrante à qui nous sommes.
We seek to be open to all progressive Canadians and social movements. We are at home with the traditional media and with the new social media. We see parliamentary politics and the politics of social movements as both being important.
Nous sommes fiers de nos deux langues officielles. Nous apprécions la diversité des peuples du pays.
Soyons claire, notre bût est de former le gouvernement.
Let there be no mistake– our goal is to form government.
I am a Manitoba New Democrat where we were recently elected a fourth term majority NDP government. In Manitoba we have proven that you can combine a strong economy with an innovative social and economic agenda.
Le défi auquel nous ferons face sera de travailler à garder le soutient des milliers de Québécois et Canadiens qui nous ont appuyés pour la première fois en 2011.
We seek to earn the support of many more Canadians across the country, starting in my home region of the prairies. Our goal is to be government for all Canadians in 2015
La nouvelle politique c’est aussi quelque chose d’aussi fondamental que le futur de notre système démocratique. De plus en plus de gens se sentent marginalisés et laissés seuls. Nous cherchons à nous attaquer au taux de vote toujours en déclin en fournissant des alternatives réelles et rejoignant les Canadiens.
It is about something else as well. The old politics has always assumed that certain people could not run for office because of gender, age or background.
New politics builds on one of Jack Layton’s greatest legacies.
I am part of the Jack Layton generation. I was the youngest woman elected in 2008. In the new Parliament we have been joined by many young MP’s, many women and many people from different backgrounds. We have broken down the barriers.
Je fais partie de la génération de Jack Layton. J’ai été la plus jeune femme élue au parlement en 2008. Plusieurs jeunes députés, plusieurs députées femmes, plusieurs députés aux backgrounds différents se sont joints à moi dans ce nouveau parlement. Nous avons détruit les barrières.
New politics says that age is not a barrier.
Lors de la prochaine élection, j’aurai 33 ans.
Il y a quarante ans, Ed Schreyer est devenu premier ministre à 33 ans, Robert Bourassa avait, quant à lui, trente-six.
In new politics a 33 year old woman can be elected as your prime minister if she earns the support of Canadians.
Nous fessons face à deux choix, soit nous choisissons la vielle politique des conservateurs de Steven Harper soit nous choisissons la nouvelle politique.
Imaginez :
Think new
New politics
equality
peace
environment
culture
community
diversity
innovation
destiny
Pensez à la nouvelle politique!
Wed, 2011-11-09 12:38
#51
I like the speech (even though the French could have used at the very least some spellchecking...). It expresses the "new politics" very well. I don't need meat on the bone. This compares extremely favourably with the vapid pandering currently on display at the party web site. It's a lot better than "tax the rich" too, whose fundamental presumption is that there must be rich and poor in the society. I like it. And if she means it, all the better.