2012 NDP leadership convention

[Marokai Backbeat]

Is Mulcair's alleged temper really that serious?

[Marokai Backbeat]

I am bewildered at exactly why so many have endorsed Topp and why he's become the 'frontrunner.'

[Marokai Backbeat]

I am bewildered at exactly why so many have endorsed Topp and why he's become the 'frontrunner.'

He's a powerful Party insider. The NDP, both federally and some provincial branches, have gone with such people before (David Lewis would be one example).

Evidently so. Shame. He doesn't strike me as good person to be the face of the party.

[Marokai Backbeat]

An NDP that is moderate enough might eve get my vote

And what about the NDP proposed policies specifically put you off of voting for them in May?

[Marokai Backbeat]

The crazy left-wing ones.

Which were?

I don't see how the NDP can go that much further to the center without just being slightly more appealing Liberals. It sort of defeats the purpose of the NDP's entire existence.

[Marokai Backbeat]

We're not arguing over the politics as it's debated on news channels, or arguing over why the general population might sway one way or another. People on this forum generally are, or should be, above that. The NDP is a Socialist party at this point in the sense that a lot of their policies are rooted in socialism and they have a socialist wing. Also in the sense that they actually recognize their policies have socialist roots instead of pretending they don't. But the party by and large at this point has moderated substantially, especially now that they're in the spotlight.

In both demeanor and in policy, the NDP is far more serious than they were a decade ago, and certainly moreso than they were several decades ago. It's silly to allow the far-left wing of the party more attention than they deserve. The Conservatives have a reasonably right-wing faction, but you don't see the Conservatives governing in that fashion for obvious reasons.

The NDP is a left-wing party that has seriously, for lack of a better phrase, "grown up" in recent years. What you seem to want of them is for them to become the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party being the Liberal Party is why there is a stronger-than-ever NDP. I simply don't see what more could reasonably be done without losing touch with what the NDP actually is.

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.

[Marokai Backbeat]

So, wait, Mulcair went from lefty power hungry hothead to a right-winger too conciliatory to business? I really should follow this thread more closely so the turns in narrative aren't so jarring.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Brian Topp got some more endorsements. The biggest seems to be that of another comedian, Colin Mochrie (I'm sure our British and American friends will recognize him from Whose Line Is It Anyway?)

I thought he would be better than that.

[Marokai Backbeat]

And THAT my friends, is the EXACT attitude I was referring to when I said the NDP has an attitude in it that makes people want to leave.

Yeah! Parties should mean absolutely nothing and lack any ideological consistency! Wooh!

[Marokai Backbeat]

I can not, ever, see any circumstances, ever, where I'd, ever, get an NDP membership again. And this is why.

And that's why I hope they never listen to you.