2012 NDP leadership convention

[Hatman]

Dewar is endorsed by Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington. That's his 2nd endorsement from the province (first was former MP Catherine Bell)

Updated map:

[Foucaulf]

It is petty of Topp to say how "social-democratic" he is while hurtling insults at others. Of course Canadian politics is run on a narrow spectrum of views, and Topp does not have the natural charisma to challenge this "Overton Window". He is no better than Mulcair when it comes to policy at this point. All he has is a gimmick - higher taxes on the rich.

I also disagree with this false dilemma on "equal outcome" and "equal opportunity", as if one had to choose one or the other. What made Layton's last campaign so successful was how he delivered a message that emphasized equal opportunity within a range of possible outcomes. The next leader does not have to go too off-message, but needs to convince voters that Harper is intent on creating outcomes that take away Canadians' equal opportunity.

[RogueBeaver]

Topp must be behind in his internals if he's already at the kitchen sink stage of attacks. But when you're running against Tom Mulcair, using anything but the kitchen sink approach would be foolish. It could create an opening for a third candidate if the two frontrunners have thoroughly toxified themselves- most likely Dewar or Nash.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Are you going to include former provincial candidates, cause, I could endorse somebody!

[Hatman]

Are you going to include former provincial candidates, cause, I could endorse somebody!

No "just" candidates of any sort [I know the Ottawa South candidate from 2008 is working on the Mulcair campaign ftr]; And it appears you have already endorsed someone [Mulcair]

[Χahar]

Would it be possible for you to make a map showing only current MPs? That might be interesting to see.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

Updated to include chart here
http://blogs.canoe.ca/davidakin/politicsndp/with-less-than-4-months-to-go-whos-got-mo-in-the-ndp-leadership-race/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

	Thomas Mulcair Age: 56 Riding: Outremont, Quebec History: Former Cabinet minister in Quebec Note: First Quebec MP to contest an NDP leadership race. Born: Laval, Quebec Big Backers: NDP Supporters (according to one poll) Teddy's Ranking: A+
	Peggy Nash Age: 60 Riding: Parkdale High Park, Ontario History: MP, Union Activist Note: Considered the only Female in the race with a real possibility to win Born: Toronto, Ontario Big Backers: Part of CUPE Teddy's Ranking: A
	Brian Topp Age: 51 Riding: Parkdale High Park, Ontario (He lives here but is not an MP) History: President of the NDP. Note: Seen as Layton's chosen successor by some Born: Longueuil, Quebec. Big Backers: NDP Establishment (according to the Media) Teddy's Ranking: A-
	Paul Dewar Age: 48 Riding: Ottawa Centre, Ontario History: Mother was Mayor for quite some time, as well as MP and NDP President Note: Seen as inoffensive to NDPers of all stripes Born: Ottawa, Ontario Big Backers: Self Teddy's Ranking: B+
	Nathan Cullen Age: 39 Riding: Skeena-Bulkley Valley, British Columbia History: MP since 2004, businessman Note: Only candidate from the 3 Westmost provinces; where half of the NDP membership resides. Born: Smithers, British Columbia Big Backers: Self Teddy's Ranking: B-
	Romeo Saganash Age: 49 Riding: Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, Quebec History: First Nations Leader Note: Possibly the first time a First Nations candidate has run for leader of a major party Born: Waswanipi Cree First Nation Big Backers: Self Teddy's Ranking: C+
	Niki Ashton Age: 29 Riding: Churchill, Manitoba History: Elected in 2008 at age 26 Note: Youngest candidate in the race Born: Thompson, Manioba Big Backers: Self Teddy's Ranking: C
	Martin Singh Age: 38 Riding: Sackville Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia (He lives here but is not an MP) History: Businessman Note: First Seikh candidate for a major party Born: Nova Scotia Big Backers: None yet Teddy's Ranking: D-

[Hatman]

Would it be possible for you to make a map showing only current MPs? That might be interesting to see.

Look at the coloured ridings

[Hatman]

Nash endorsed by actress Sarah Polley. Since she's not a politician, the map remains unchanged.

[lilTommy]

Danny Morin a PQ MP is now supporting Peggy Nash. One of the young class from Quebec, also one of the few openly gay MPs like Randall Garrisson, Philipe Toone and Libby Davies
http://peggynash.ca/2012/le-depute-du-npd-dany-morin-appuie-peggy-nash-a-la-chefferie/

A good review of Mulcair... in the Post of all places (cringe)
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/30/thomas-mulcair-stakes-his-leadership-bid-on-a-pledge-of-sustainable-development/

Peggy Nash pushing an alternate economy
http://www.straight.com/article-570731/vancouver/peggy-nash-hopes-win-ndp-leadership-highlighting-economic-alternative-stephen-harpers-approach

... the race ain't getting the attention it needs, i've heard its been ignored completely in Alberta when each canadidate has come to town (f'ing media)

BTW, love that map! Makes me wonder how the NDP would look if it ran US caucuses? what if the NDP had its own Iowa, say Sask an omage to the history of the party.

[RogueBeaver]

Do Dippers know where they stand?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/does-the-ndp-know-where-it-stands/article2292162/

[Foucaulf]

Out of curiosity, Roguebeaver, do you post these articles because you agree with them or just to keep the debate going?

I've always found Ibbitson vacuous and that article suffers further from what I now call the left-wing false dilemma. This whole "progressivism v. social democracy" nonsense is just a sign that the NDP needing a more coherent platform, and there is no reason why the party should choose message over ideas like the Conservatives.

One possibility I've heard few pundits talk about is whether Harper could be defeated by economic as well as political forces by 2015. Perhaps Canadians are still on a high from Canada's relatively stable condition, but I've always believed by the next election Harper will be trapped in a Mulroney-esque crisis.

[RogueBeaver]

Out of curiosity, Roguebeaver, do you post these articles because you agree with them or just to keep the debate going?

I've always found Ibbitson vacuous and that article suffers further from what I now call the left-wing false dilemma. This whole "progressivism v. social democracy" nonsense is just a sign that the NDP needing a more coherent platform, and there is no reason why the party should choose message over ideas like the Conservatives.

One possibility I've heard few pundits talk about is whether Harper could be defeated by economic as well as political forces by 2015. Perhaps Canadians are still on a high from Canada's relatively stable condition, but I've always believed by the next election Harper will be trapped in a Mulroney-esque crisis.

In this case, and generally speaking, to keep the debate going. My personal impression is that the NDP base is somewhere between Topp and Dewar, though I don't really know the NDP that much. So I disagree with Ibbitson.

[Hatman]

Another MP has endorsed Peggy Nash (Mike Sullivan, York South-Weston).

[lilTommy]

The momentum has seemed to shift in favour of Mulcair and Nash, at the expense of Topp... which is fine with me.

[Hatman]

New endorsement map:

[Hatman]

Former Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert endorses Brian Topp

New map:

Note, it's getting squishy in Saskatoon. Calvert's riding was the same as Romanow's.

[Sibboleth]

Is that mark in the Battlefords are Len Taylor? He used to be an MP as well.

[Hatman]

Is that mark in the Battlefords are Len Taylor? He used to be an MP as well.

Nope, Violet Stanger. The mark is actually Lloydminster, not the Battlefords. GEEZ, KNOW YOUR GEOGRAPHY, AL!

[Jens]

Is that mark in the Battlefords are Len Taylor? He used to be an MP as well.

Nope, Violet Stanger. The mark is actually Lloydminster, not the Battlefords. GEEZ, KNOW YOUR GEOGRAPHY, AL!

Honestly, that remark made me laugh
That said, great work Earl - fun to follow

[Senator MaxQue]

Is that mark in the Battlefords are Len Taylor? He used to be an MP as well.

Nope, Violet Stanger. The mark is actually Lloydminster, not the Battlefords. GEEZ, KNOW YOUR GEOGRAPHY, AL!

As geography of that area isn't very good for me, is Lloydmister the city split between Alberta and Saskatchewan?

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

yes

[lilTommy]

Loenard Krog BC MLA from Nanaimo looks to be going with Mulcair.
Hes a former 2003 leadership candidate, but i'm not that familiar with him.

http://www.straight.com/article-578936/vancouver/ndp-mla-leonard-krog-expected-endorse-thomas-mulcair-federal-party-leader

[RogueBeaver]

Topp: abolish the Senate, introduce PR.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/201201/10/01-4484310-npd-brian-topp-veut-abolir-le-senat.php

[Senator MaxQue]

St. Maurice-Champlain should go back to white, as their MP crossed the floor to Liberals.