I want to echo the request for Dewar supporters to explain what they like about him. There's no doubt that he has considerable support, but I'm not clear why. Of all the candidates still in the race, he is the only one for whom I have yet to grasp his "value proposition" (as the marketers call it).
Mulcair is running on his electability and his ability to "take the fight" to Harper.
Topp is running on his staff experience and social democratic values/policy wonkery.
Nash is running on her labour negotiator background and understanding of the manufacturing economy.
Cullen is running on his wit and his joint nomination plan.
Ashton is running on her youth.
Singh is running on his small business background, a pharmacist for pharmacare.
But what is Dewar running on? I sometimes get the impression he's running on his performance as NDP foreign affairs critic, a performance which, as I understand it, is seen as quite laudable by parliamentary standards. But he doesn't really seem to talk foreign policy much. And it seems unlikely to account for his popularity.
I should note, btw, that I fully appreciate that none of these characterizations does justice to the qualities of any of the candidates, including Dewar. These are not well-rounded portraits, nor are they intended to be. They are, on purpose, the soundbite versions.
I should also note that I am an Undecided in this race. None of my characterizations are intended to be invidious.