NDP Leadership Convention 2017

[Holmes]

Wow.  What a repudiation.

I like the idea of Niki Ashton leading the party.

It'd be an embarrassment.

[Holmes]

Angus being leader would be cool because then I'd know what it's like to have a federal leader as an MP. Even if I don't live in the riding anymore.

[Holmes]

Angus wins Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay) (big surprise there! lol) and John Vanthof (Timiskaming-Cochrane) support, both Northern ON MPPs

Keep in mind that because Northern Ontario provincial riding boundaries do not match federal (unlike Southern Ontario), *both* Bisson *and* Vanthof represent Charlie Angus territory.

Yeah. Technically. Bisson is moreso Angus' provincial counterpart than Vanthof. Both Angus and Bisson are based in Timmins.

I went to school with Bisson's niece and have seen him in Canadian Tire.

[Holmes]

Perennial loser Sid Ryan...

[Holmes]

I find it interesting that the NDP might be optimistic enough to think Canadians will elect a brown guy Prime Minister.

Are we not supposed to say that? I have no faith in our people whatsoever.

The locals from my native Timmins-James Bay wouldn't be so hot on him, and it's an NDP stronghold.

[Holmes]

I like everything about Charlie Angus...except his French is no where near good enough

He represents one of the most Francophone ridings in Ontario. I think he's good in that regard. Love him!

Mm. He's ok. Which I think is the general consensus on him in the riding. He's probably least popular in Timmins itself considering it's the most right-leaning part of the riding.

[Holmes]

I find it interesting that the NDP might be optimistic enough to think Canadians will elect a brown guy Prime Minister.

Are we not supposed to say that? I have no faith in our people whatsoever.

The locals from my native Timmins-James Bay wouldn't be so hot on him, and it's an NDP stronghold.

What makes you say this?  I also grew up in Timmins, and tend to disagree with you.  Of course, Angus would probably be their first choice because he is the local MP, but TJ-B is very much an NDP stronghold, like you mentioned.  Singh is very pro union, and supports many of the "left-populist" issues that Northern Ontario NDP supports agree with.

Because he is a brown you see, and apparently Northern Ontarians are racist.

More than the national average. Do you know how Natives are treated there?

[Holmes]

And I'm not going to forget about how some of my former co-workers were bitching about the "turban wearing Paki" in Harper's cabinet, and how they were afraid that the "Pakis" were going to try to gain control of the country.

Or how one of their wives at a work party was saying Canada should be for Canadians and not all "the Chinese that have been popping up lately."

But yeah the GTA is more racist against South Asians. Ok werk

[Holmes]

More from Charlie Angus' Facebook.  What is problematic is that he isn't speaking up against what is being said by his supporters.  Difficult stuff to read.

Difficult to read, even more difficult to hear in person.

[Holmes]

Would have loved to see Nathan Cullen in the race, he's one of my favorite NDP MPs to watch in Parliament. However, I'm rooting for Niki Ashton to take it, she'd make an excellent leader. Will be interesting to see how Jagmeet Singh does.

Cullen was my guy too.

toaster, you grew up in Timmins? How long ago?

[Holmes]

Singh is the only one I can see taking seats off the Liberals. That's enough for him to get my support.

And ironically, Angus is the only one I can see taking seats off the *Conservatives*.

That's interesting, and maybe true on paper, but are there any ridings in particular you can think of? I'm thinking he could have appeal in Tory ridings in Northern Ontario and SW Ontario, and maybe urban Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Maybe some parts in BC.

[Holmes]

An honest Liberal? It's just not realistic.

[Holmes]

That's only because politically, Timmins sucks.

[Holmes]

I do get the impression that Angus is more Layton's successor while Singh is more Trudeau adjacent.

[Holmes]

I suspect Singh is the favorite among Atlas New Democrats?

I'm undecided. Angus is my MP after all. Singh seems cool, but I don't want a pseudo-Trudeau running the party.

Shrug.

[Holmes]

Fwiw Angus has done more for NDP ideals than Singh, and as I've said, he really comes off as Layton's natural successor.

[Holmes]

Max, come on.

[Holmes]

I doubt Olivia will make an endorsement, though I could see Ed making one.

But yeah, if the Singh campaign is telling the truth about recruiting those new members (and the Ontario #s back that up), then I think it's safe to say he will be the front runner going in. Also, considering the membership tripled, then all membership-list based polling will be useless.

They would both endorse Angus.

[Holmes]

I love seeing Quebec separatists trip over themselves to prove which one of them is the bigger bigot.

[Holmes]

So, a couple of polling outfits had the NDP at 15% before Singh won. Personally, I'm predicting at least a 5% bounce. Anything less would be a disappointment.

Well it's the NDP so prepare for disappointment.