2012 NDP leadership convention

[Holmes]

There are been (relatively) left of center and right of center federal Liberal governments, and (Progressive) Conservative governments, just as there have been provincial NDP gouvernments. The federal NDP has never held federal gouvernment, so it's a bit silly to discuss exactly how they should lead, ideologically. If 2015 yields a Prime Minister Mulcair, he can run a moderate gouvernment if he wants, and still instill NDP policies. Realistically though, and NDP government would be more left of center than not.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

At this time I'm projecting a final ballot of
Mulcair - 57.5%
Topp - 42.5%

On the NDP...

We need to go back to 1993 and 1988.

Where the Reform Party was at this time, is where the Conservative Party of Today is. Where the PC Party was is where the Liberals are. The NDP is moving towards where the Liberals were.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

This particular digression is weird given that Layton in 2011 ran on a distinctly less radical platform that Blair did in 1997. The NDP don't need to play a game of endless 'moderation' as they are very moderate already (as was pretty always their wont until the 1990s).

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

I apologize if this seems harsh, but not voting for a party on the basis of "they have a few members that said this one time" seems shallow and silly. I expect that from some people, obviously, but I always assumed members of this forum would be smarter than that.

I speak of MP's.

[Peter the Lefty]

So far, it appears to be Topp vs. Mulcair, and few people are paying attention to Dewar, Cullen, Saganash, or Singh.  So far, the field seems pathetic.  Topp is the "who is this guy?" candidate, but he's also the establishment candidate, paradoxically.  But there has to be an unknown who can take the role that Layton did in 2003.  I mean, there are 57 MP's from Quebec besides Mulcair and Saganash, each of whom is relatively unknown.  Any word on Ramond Cote, Hoang Mai, Jonathan Genest (even though he's pretty young), Anne-Marie Day, Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, or others?

[Hash]

Ruth Ellen for leader, plz.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

I'm curious how the hot chicks are voting. One is backing Mulcair, but I don't think one of the others has taken a side.

[RogueBeaver]

Mulcair had a good point about running to replace rather than succeed Layton IMO. This is a good field, though I wouldn't underestimate an outcome like LPC '06, with Topp as Iggy and Mulcair as Rae, either Dewar or Cullen as Dion. Maybe Ducasse reprises his MHF role from '03?

Hot chicks: Mulcair needs heavyweight endorsements, not featherweight frosh. All the prominent frosh except Laverdiere have endorsed Topp.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Ducasse is not running. It's far too late for him to run, especially with everyone positioning themselves as the Quebec candidate.

[RogueBeaver]

Neither is Nash from her public pronoucements. So that leaves Chisholm and if he's not bluffing about being the mer... I mean "formal cooperation" candidate, Pat Martin.

[Holmes]

Ruth Ellen for leader, plz.

http://www.985fm.ca/national/nouvelles/ruth-ellen-brosseau-hesite-a-choisir-son-camp-101844.html

[Holmes]

Not related to the leadership race. But it's sad to see Dan Heap in such a state.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1069890

[RogueBeaver]

The best explanation of Mulcair's MO so far.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/201110/15/01-4457632-thomas-mulcair-dr-jekyll-et-mr-hyde.php

[RogueBeaver]

This won't fly with the Anglo community, not by a long shot. But I'd let the Grits make this argument.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-real-thomas-mulcair/article2201488/

[Hatman 🍁]

And the attacks begin

[MaxQue]

This won't fly with the Anglo community, not by a long shot. But I'd let the Grits make this argument.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-real-thomas-mulcair/article2201488/

Does Alliance Quebec is still relevent?
They wrote that text.

[Peter the Lefty]

Well, this is interesting: It seems Nathan Cullen is making himself the "cooperation" or "non-compete deals" candidate. 
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/cullen-proposes-running-joint-ndp-liberal-green-candidates-in-next-election-132071883.html

He seems determined to distinguish himself from Pat Martin though.  Martin will now probably either get behind him, or enter the race proposing an all-out merger. 

[RogueBeaver]

Well, this is interesting: It seems Nathan Cullen is making himself the "cooperation" or "non-compete deals" candidate. 
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/cullen-proposes-running-joint-ndp-liberal-green-candidates-in-next-election-132071883.html

He seems determined to distinguish himself from Pat Martin though.  Martin will now probably either get behind him, or enter the race proposing an all-out merger. 

The idea is still idiotic no matter how you cut it.

[Holmes]

Uh, that could only lead to bad news in the end, especially if it actually does lead to the defeat of the Conservatives. And under what party would the "joint candidate" be exactly? This kinda makes me want to support Mulcair more.

[Хahar 🤔]

Well, this is interesting: It seems Nathan Cullen is making himself the "cooperation" or "non-compete deals" candidate. 
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/cullen-proposes-running-joint-ndp-liberal-green-candidates-in-next-election-132071883.html

He seems determined to distinguish himself from Pat Martin though.  Martin will now probably either get behind him, or enter the race proposing an all-out merger. 

Why are these people so interested in this idea.

[You kip if you want to...]

Well, this is interesting: It seems Nathan Cullen is making himself the "cooperation" or "non-compete deals" candidate. 
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/cullen-proposes-running-joint-ndp-liberal-green-candidates-in-next-election-132071883.html

He seems determined to distinguish himself from Pat Martin though.  Martin will now probably either get behind him, or enter the race proposing an all-out merger. 

Why are these people so interested in this idea.

Because they assume that FPTP is holding back a "progressive majority". It's not, and they'll be surprised at how many Liberals would choose Tory over NDP. As the formation of the CPC showed, just adding two parties together doesn't mean a majority...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

There was always a similar crowd here, of course. Very early period Blair.

[RogueBeaver]

Merger supporters are like Huntsman supporters: the ratio of journalists to voters greatly favours journalists, and the total number is quite small in proportion to the voter pool.

[LastVoter]

Fixing IRV would probably guarantee no conservative governments in Canada for a long time.

[Holmes]

Nope. The second choice for a lot of federal Liberal voters is not the NDP. See: southern Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, western Newfoundland. The NDP might've never picked up Edmonton—Strathcona with IRV, and a few seats in BC, Scarborough, Montreal (or Quebec in general)...