2012 NDP leadership convention

[Senator MaxQue]

I note than there is still no thread about the December 2011 Bloc leadership convention.

[lilTommy]

It would be a fantastic time to be a New Democrat in Quebec... funny i choose Toronto over Montreal for school due to the (perceived) dominance of the Bl;oq... wow did i ever make the wrong choice eh

I think the fact that its the summer (most people are on vacation or working and out of school) so volunteers can be hard to find. Most of the Quebec MPs are travelling back and forth to Ottawa for training sessions and events in other parts of the country (from what i hear) so i think come fall more infrastructure will shape. But i agree you should help out in Montreal... who says you have to help build in Outremont? Why not Laurier or Rosemont, those will be very important assosications to help build up.
There are a number of provincial elections coming up too so resources from Ontario especially really wont be around.

Brian Topp is fantastic in the inner workings, that would be a loss and hes still completely unknown.
Mulcair brings cabinet experience, credibility (leaving the liberals over principle) moderation (come hither Tories and liberals ) BUT hes perceived to be cold and aggressive and unlike Layton. For him to win over many he needs to soften or at least be seen as more common-man than he is now. Anyone know more about his character?

[Sibboleth]

Not the Brian Topp that fans of Spaced would be familiar with, amirite?

[Hatman]

I added a few more people to the list of potential candidates.

[Senator MaxQue]

who says you have to help build in Outremont? Why not Laurier or Rosemont, those will be very important assosications to help build up.

Well, I'm a member of the association in the riding where I live, which is Outremont. And I'm closer to Mount Royal and Westmount-Ville-Marie than Laurier and Rosemont, geographically.

Earl, that is "Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik--Eeyou". Abitibi can cause confusion with "Abitibi-Témiscamingue", which is another federal riding. Even if I'm almost sure than Saganash will not run.

I think also than the new leader has to be bilingual. If not, there could a big crisis in the party.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

I maintain that Mulcair will win unless someone can get massive union support.

[Hatman]

Brian Topp is also being considered one of the favourites.

[Senator MaxQue]

Brian Topp is also being considered one of the favourites.

I still wonder why.

Like I said, he seems a wonderful organiser and it would be a loss to the party if he became leader.

[Hatman]

Brian Topp is also being considered one of the favourites.

I still wonder why.

Like I said, he seems a wonderful organiser and it would be a loss to the party if he became leader.

Im not sure either. What would separate him from Mulcair? I guess with Mulcair, there's the thought of him being too new to NDP circles.

[Senator MaxQue]

Brian Topp is also being considered one of the favourites.

I still wonder why.

Like I said, he seems a wonderful organiser and it would be a loss to the party if he became leader.

Im not sure either. What would separate him from Mulcair? I guess with Mulcair, there's the thought of him being too new to NDP circles.

The issue is pretty difficult. Mulcair having the support of Quebec members, but losing because English Canada coalized around another candidate would be very badly felt in Quebec.

[Holmes]

It's not just about how Canada views the new leader that matters. Without Jack, the NDP caucus is weaker. It is a relatively inexperienced caucus. Not less united, but more vulnerable to attacks and provocations that may cause in-fighting, especially between the Quebec and non-Quebec members. And I'm sure Harper and the Conservatives will bring up sovereignty and federalism issues eventually, especially after the Nycole Turmel incident. Not just the party, but the caucus needs a strong leader that can keep everyone grounded and focused, at least until they've matured politically.

[mileslunn]

I know he likely won't run, but how about Gary Doer?  He won three back to back majorities in a province that went solidly Conservative last federal election and he was able to cut taxes and balance the budget all while maintaining the party's commitment to social justice.  I think the NDP's big weakness is many see them as to beholden to unions and tax and spenders.  I think most Canadians actually like the NDP's ideals so if you can get someone who is fiscally responsible that would take away one more weapon against them from their opponenets.

[Hatman]

I know he likely won't run, but how about Gary Doer?  He won three back to back majorities in a province that went solidly Conservative last federal election and he was able to cut taxes and balance the budget all while maintaining the party's commitment to social justice.  I think the NDP's big weakness is many see them as to beholden to unions and tax and spenders.  I think most Canadians actually like the NDP's ideals so if you can get someone who is fiscally responsible that would take away one more weapon against them from their opponenets.

Gary's on my list, and is one of the potential candidates. Not sure if he'll run though. He is older, being Jack's age, but that's not too old. I should add though that the NDP should consider someone younger that the youth can get behind.

[Hatman]

I would be surprised if someone from the Socialist Caucus doesn't run. I'm thinking Barry Weisleder may do it. Oh what fun that would be. :p

[Senator MaxQue]

Wow. I jusr read than Peter Julian ran for NPD-Québec in the 1989 provincial election (in Saint-François) and was the organiser of the campaign in Quebec during the 1993 federal election.

During that campaign, he said than it was sure than in 15 or 20 years, the majority of Quebec MPs would be from NDP.

He should start a forturetelling business.

Earl, does implication in a NDP campus club is good?

And for sure, the Socialis Caucus will run someone and they will probably have lower results than in 2003.

[RogueBeaver]

So it comes down to Mulcair v. Topp v. someone, apparently.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/soon+after+death+eyes+turn+next+leader+they+must/5303787/story.html

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

I'm still convinced that NDP members will see Mulcair as the only person who can hold on to Quebec, and that the only person who can defeat him, will need union support.

[Foucaulf]

I am absolutely baffled by Brian Topp being considered as a frontrunner. Well, maybe not - he's one of those that looks pristine on paper but whose few flaws are horrifying. One, he's not part of the caucus. Second, he was best known for being a Globe columnist and sharing the name of a British sitcom character. Maybe I'm drawing too many parallels to him and Christy Clark (who still worked the media like crazy), but the scramble to bring him democratic legitimacy would be time wasted.

I was an idiot when I unequivocally supported Mulcair, because I forgot how he would support a NDP-Liberal merger. Dewar is likeable, but who knows if he can talk about actual policy. An Olivia Chow candidacy is just media buzzards picking a carcass. Nor do I think someone outside of Ontario or Quebec can win this, if only because he/she's on the periphery of an equally peripheral party.

I suppose this is the symptom of post-Layton syndrome: disillusionment with whoever is next. Maybe Peter Julian would win in a better world.

[RogueBeaver]

Nash is the strongest union candidate, but she isn't running. So right now I honestly don't see anyone but Mulcair getting it in January.

Quebec: Yeah, and he also has a better shot at holding the Anglos, speaking as an NDG-Lachiner.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Julian, Dewar, Ducasse, Topp VS Mulcair

[RogueBeaver]

Which means the left vote splinters and Mulcair gets a first ballot plurality.

ROC Dippers: How do you think Mulcair would play in your neck of the woods?

[Hatman]

Well, I thought Mulcair would be a front runner, but from talking to some NDPers, there is a worry about his abrasive personality.  Brian Topp is seen as a moderate, and may get the moderate vote.

I think it all comes down to who Ed Broadbent endorses, although Chow's choice may be up there too.

[President Marokai]

Is Mulcair's alleged temper really that serious?

[DL]

I'm still not convinced that Brian Topp has any intention of running. It seems to be an open question where the rumour about him as a candidate even came from - and it would not be the first time that a story based on nothing took on a life of its own because some gossipy reporters start to drink their own bathwater.

[Holmes]

I'm leaning Mulcair. And where are these Brian Topp rumors coming from? I don't know if I could get behind him.