NDP leadership 105

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Thu, 2012-02-23 13:21

mark_alfred

Boom Boom wrote:

from pauldewar.ca:

OTTAWA – Today Dan Wilson, former Campaign Manager for Romeo Saganash’s leadership bid, endorsed Paul Dewar for leader of the NDP. He will be joining Dewar as a Senior Strategist for the Paul Dewar Campaign...

[..]

Well, that's interesting. Good catch by Dewar.

Thanks. That is interesting. The concern I have with Dewar is that, unlike Topp or Cullen, there doesn't seem to be a focus on increasing revenues (for ultimately balancing the books, expanding social services, maintaining healthcare). I'll have to continue to wade through his many policies to see, however.

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:22

#103

NorthReport

Peggy is on the right track here - jobs is what it is all about.

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/140157813.html

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:22

#104

socialdemocrati...

Yeah, KenS has been one of the most reasonable babblers in my experience. I share the opinion that polls only reflect name recognition, and if we want to predict who would do the best against Harper we need to look at the full spectrum of political skills: strategy, communication, organizing, policy, and even sense of humor. I think Mulcair has demonstrated a lot of these qualities, but it's not a certainty that he's the best overall.

To that point, Topp may be throwing some sharp elbows. But if it works, that would vindicate his strategy. I see it backfiring, personally. But you don't know how it's playing out with rank-and-file members.

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:26

#105

socialdemocrati...

I keep saying I'd like to see Peggy Nash find a message that connects with voters. If she were as relentless on jobs as Martin Singh is on pharmacare, she'd be the frontrunner. That's my armchair quarterback opinion.

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:37

#106

KenS

I already offered the opinion that in strategic terms Topp's negative tactics are already vindicated. Because even if they end up mostly back-firing on him [which pragmatically speaking people are way too quick to assume], he was doomed to lose for sure if he did not stir the pot.

Door # 1 is YOU LOSE

Door # 2 is IT'S RISKY

"And which one do you choose Brian!?"

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:46

#107

KenS

On the subject of vote suppression:

Generalized vote suppression is benefitting from the unseemliness of politics and people feeling that all politiciians are the same. Targets are the people who are on the margins of likely to vote. It only CAN work, its only possibly worth considering if it is predominately not your voters who are on those margins.

And this leadership race does not have any of the necessary conditions for vote suppresion net benefitting any campaign. There is absolutely no reason to think that IF members thought it was a lot of gutter fighting, the Mulcair supporters are the ones who will not vote.

Not to mention that so far what will tip the marginals against voting is that the rce is boring and/or there are no differences big enough for them to bother with. If anything, more pointy elbows is most likely to increase turnout.

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:51

#108

duncan cameron

It seems some campaigns are getting a bit too aggressive in dealing with supporters of Niki Ashton. Big mistake. She is strong, determined, and very much aware of her own ability. Respect is due her and her supporters. Youth is the strength of the NDP in Quebec and across Canada. Niki deserves to be treated as an equal in this race. She is certainly no stalking horse for another candidate.

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/02/23/lawrence-martin-ashton-accuses-mulcai...

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:52

#109

Howard

NorthReport wrote:

Peggy is on the right track here - jobs is what it is all about.

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/140157813.html

Platitudes. Hooray! Where is her plan? This is part of why I did not like Peggy Nash as finance critic either.

The biggest plus for me about Peggy Nash's campaign has been its near relentless positivity. I wish Topp and Dewar could learn from that.

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:55

#110

Stockholm

mark_alfred wrote:

from pauldewar.ca:

OTTAWA – Today Dan Wilson, former Campaign Manager for Romeo Saganash’s leadership bid, endorsed Paul Dewar for leader of the NDP. He will be joining Dewar as a Senior Strategist for the Paul Dewar Campaign...

[..]

Well, that's interesting. Good catch by Dewar.

I realize its all part of the game for campaigns to "hype" whatever they can but seriously - since when is getting endorsed by someone's campaign manager all that big deal?? Especially when by all accounts Saganash was a a great candidate who was done in by an incredibly weak campaign...

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:57

#111

Boom Boom

I think Saganash was done in by lack of funds.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:00

#112

Stockholm

Its the job of the campaign manager to raise funds...

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:02

#113

Stockholm

Dewar is 48, Ashton is 29 and i think Cullen is 39 or 40

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:03

#114

Boom Boom

duncan cameron wrote:

It seems some campaigns are getting a bit too aggressive in dealing with supporters of Niki Ashton. Big mistake. She is strong, determined, and very much aware of her own ability. Respect is due her and her supporters. Youth is the strength of the NDP in Quebec and across Canada. Niki deserves to be treated as an equal in this race. She is certainly no stalking horse for another candidate.

I think Ashton is showing great potential as a future leadership candidate - her experience this time will undoubtedly serve her well in case she runs again, and if she doesn't win this time. Does anyone know the age difference between Ashton and Cullen? I'm wondering if both are likely to run again in the future - if they don't win this time. How old is Dewar, by the way?

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:05

#115

Boom Boom

Stockholm wrote:

Dewar is 48, Ashton is 29 and i think Cullen is 39 or 40

Thanks! Much appreciated for that quick response.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:07

#116

Boom Boom

Stockholm wrote:

Its the job of the campaign manager to raise funds...

Good point. I'm sure he tried.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:08

#117

flight from kamakura

Wilf Day wrote:

Translation assistance, please, of this important editorial:

http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/343389/le-quebec-et-le-npd-toujours-la-cote

"En ces temps où la politique de masse n'a plus la cote . . ."= In these times when mass politics is no longer popular . . .

But what exactly does the headline mean: "Le Québec et le NPD - Toujours la cote." I'm guessing it's a play on two different meanings of "cote," but the meaning in the headline escapes me.

Why does it matter? Because the editorial is a thoughtful piece, not unsympathetic:

Quote:
The Quebec vote, at first glance, will not weigh very heavily when activists of the New Democratic Party choose their next leader in March: what are 10% of the membership worth . . . But this is not the yardstick by which must be evaluated the head counts that the NDP released Tuesday. It is rather that of having managed to multiply by seven, in very short time, the membership in Quebec. . . it is precisely because of the context that this jump is spectacular . . . And in this Canada that is said to want out of the battles of the past, it is quite ironic that "What does Quebec want?" is still the question.

That last sentence is cute. The phrase "What does Quebec want?" is in English in the editorial. It is the sterotyped dumb hostile question of the dumb hostile English-speaker. So it implies that the dumb hostile English-speaking members of the NDP are, for once, actually trying to choose a leader who will have success in Quebec. At least, that's what I think it implies. Did I get it?

wow, great catch, that's a very thoughtful editorial. i think your reading is right in its inflection, but i don't think she's necessarily talking about the selection of the leader primed for succes in quebec, it's more about the new awareness of quebec issues on display in the process of leadership selection. man, this is great, i'd even go so far as to say that this could be (could be) if we choose the right leader (i.e. mulcair, hehe), the way the very beginning of a new media narrative looks.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:11

#118

CanadaApple

KenS wrote:

f I shared the widely held opinion that we most certain to win with Mulcair- he's the man with the stuff- then I might hold my nose and vote for him as first choice.

His obvious political skills and excellent presentation skills that have served him so well for his political creer so far does not prove that he will be a political success as Leader. And I think he is more likely to fail. So there's nothing at all for me to 'hold my nose' and vote for.

That's a fair point to make. But I'm curious, what sort of things would you like to see from Mulcair that would indicate to you that he would be a political success?

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:12

#119

Boom Boom

I really need to see Mulcair step outside his comfort zone and cut loose - go for the jugular - because I know he's capable of doing so. But I haven't seen that on the campaign. Maybe he knows Harper is watching him.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:16

#120

Howard

Boom Boom wrote:

I really need to see Mulcair step outside his comfort zone and cut loose - go for the jugular - because I know he's capable of doing so. But I haven't seen that on the campaign. Maybe he knows Harper is watching him.

Let's pretend you are Tom Mulcair and let's pretend you want to win. Is there anything to be gained from savaging your NDP competitors at this point? Especially when you'd probably like to have 99.99% of them on your team after the race?

If Mulcair ventures out of his comfort zone, I bet it won't be through pyrotechnic displays at the expense of the other candidates. Harper is the real target.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:17

#121

Howard

duncan cameron wrote:

It seems some campaigns are getting a bit too aggressive in dealing with supporters of Niki Ashton. Big mistake. She is strong, determined, and very much aware of her own ability. Respect is due her and her supporters. Youth is the strength of the NDP in Quebec and across Canada. Niki deserves to be treated as an equal in this race. She is certainly no stalking horse for another candidate.

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/02/23/lawrence-martin-ashton-accuses-mulcai...

I highly doubt the connection to Mulcair. There are just not enough votes there for Mulcair to win and unless you think Ashton is going all the way, the only threat she poses to Mulcair is likely on the early ballots. There are several connections between Mulcair and Ashton organisers. I wonder if this isn't some kind of blackmail or "tough love" before the leadership vote. I guess we'll see.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:17

#122

Catchfire

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