Rogers Media uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences. Rogers Media supports the Digital Advertising Alliance principles. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies.
We use cookies (why?) You can change cookie preferences. Continued site use signifies consent.
Former NDP MP Dawn Black endorses Brian Topp, while Thomas Mulcair picks up an endorsement from Thomas Mulcair.
“I’ve got great, great support among the Quebec caucus. I’m thankful for that, but not totally surprised because they know what role I played in helping them all get elected,” Mr. Mulcair said…
“The fact of the matter is that if I hadn’t pushed hard and gotten things changed, we would still have never elected anybody in a general election in Quebec,” he said. “That type of drive and determination has gotten us where we are, and it’s the type of drive and determination that I will take to the job [of NDP leader].”
The principal thing I like about Mulcair is that all the right people don’t
like him. He’s getting the sneering condescension that Layton got for
most of his years. We’ll see.
Sneering condescension is Mulcair’s specialty. He always seems so smug and self-satisfied in his TV appearances. Zero charisma. I admit Jack had charisma, though to me it was a bit used-car salesman like.Too slick by half.
Hah .. that’s what made Mr. Mulcair’s little spat with Mr. Coyne so much fun.
The “specialty” was dripping off the walls. Both have egos that enter a room
ten minutes before they do.
The NDP has finally posted their Constitution on their website (under the link Party).
However this posted version differs from the contraband copy floating around in that the section outlining the NDP’s principles as being socialist has been deleted. I believe at their last Convention they upheld the part of being aligned with democratic socialism and the international socialist parties. I wonder if this means the next leader will define whether the NDP maintains (at least on paper) its socialist position.
Do Mulcair and Topp have any difference in opinion on capitalism and for profit versus socialism and government owned.
The NDP Convention referred the question to a committee for further study, rather than get into a divisive argument which would slow down everything else.
Martin is for pitching it out. They might as well since we already have The Socialist Party of Canada, which is quite different than the NDP
That, in itself, isn’t reason. I think even the US has 2 socialist parties – not that they put candidates forward or get votes, but they exist.
The question is what would they replace it with? That preamble defined what the NDP stood for. I think they could write a position that supported capitalism along with strong social programs and distinguish themselves from the Liberals, but it does require some thought, as these guiding principles are meant to stand up election to election, leader to leader.
The NDP has not aligned with their guiding principles for many years. If anyone actually thought they would adhere to those principles (which basically denounce for-profit enterprise) I think their votes would dramatically drop. So the NDP should change their Constitution. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with. Right now they just have a blank page on their website, where their principles would usually be.
Seriously, Davies has absolutely no chance of leading anything (except maybe a charge for the crackers and dip bowl at a get together) . More realistically, Topp and Mulcair would be almost as much good fun.
The poor Liberals. First the election and next the post-election press coverage. Do they have anything left to lose?
Does anyone really expect the Conservative Government to give a hoot about the opposition’s opinions for the next three years until election talk begins?
The momentum of the NDP may have already been lost, that would have allowed them to expand themselves as a party of voters second choice.
Is Mulcair still holding his breath until the party agrees to change the timing of a leadership vote?
WDMVersion2 on
Change what timing? There is no date set at this point.
Besides the very valid points that David Akin makes: http://davidakin.blogware.com/blog/Politics/NDP/_archives/2011/8/29/4888778.html
There is the issue of organizing a convention (location, logistics, registration, etc) in about four months (which include major holidays).
Never mind the fact that half the country is going on provincial elections this fall.
Alnilam O on
For purely self-interested reasons, I really hope Mulcair wins the leadership. The guy is a schmuck.
Andrew_notPorC on
The principal thing I like about Mulcair is that all the right people don’t
like him. He’s getting the sneering condescension that Layton got for
most of his years. We’ll see.
BGLong on
Sneering condescension is Mulcair’s specialty. He always seems so smug and self-satisfied in his TV appearances. Zero charisma. I admit Jack had charisma, though to me it was a bit used-car salesman like.Too slick by half.
Andrew_notPorC on
Hah .. that’s what made Mr. Mulcair’s little spat with Mr. Coyne so much fun.
The “specialty” was dripping off the walls. Both have egos that enter a room
ten minutes before they do.
BGLong on
The NDP has finally posted their Constitution on their website (under the link Party).
However this posted version differs from the contraband copy floating around in that the section outlining the NDP’s principles as being socialist has been deleted. I believe at their last Convention they upheld the part of being aligned with democratic socialism and the international socialist parties. I wonder if this means the next leader will define whether the NDP maintains (at least on paper) its socialist position.
Do Mulcair and Topp have any difference in opinion on capitalism and for profit versus socialism and government owned.
catherine79 on
I’m for Libby Davies or Pat Martin there my kind of Komarades…..
JoeFrmEdm on
Yes, they’d probably put the socialism back in the NDP Constitution.
catherine79 on
The NDP Convention referred the question to a committee for further study, rather than get into a divisive argument which would slow down everything else.
Martin is for pitching it out. They might as well since we already have The Socialist Party of Canada, which is quite different than the NDP
http://www.worldsocialism.org/canada/
OriginalEmily1 on
That, in itself, isn’t reason. I think even the US has 2 socialist parties – not that they put candidates forward or get votes, but they exist.
The question is what would they replace it with? That preamble defined what the NDP stood for. I think they could write a position that supported capitalism along with strong social programs and distinguish themselves from the Liberals, but it does require some thought, as these guiding principles are meant to stand up election to election, leader to leader.
The NDP has not aligned with their guiding principles for many years. If anyone actually thought they would adhere to those principles (which basically denounce for-profit enterprise) I think their votes would dramatically drop. So the NDP should change their Constitution. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with. Right now they just have a blank page on their website, where their principles would usually be.
catherine79 on
Doesn’t sound like they’re denouncing for-profit enterprise.
http://www.ndp.ca/platform/reward-job-creators
JanBC on
That was exactly my point, Jan – their platforms and electioneering have not corresponding to their Constitution, so they should change it.
catherine79 on
They could replace it with ‘social democratic’…..nothing there that most Canadians would disagree with
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democratic_Party#Principles_and_policies
OriginalEmily1 on
Yes, I agree, that and some changing of the other statements would be a reasonable direction to go in.
catherine79 on
Mulcair, Topp,and (lol) Davies(lol, let me catch my breath) ALL LOSE; I welcome any of them to lead the NDP – into oblivion
TSYM on
Did you make the ‘L’ sign on your forehead after you typed that? All the other kids do.
OriginalEmily1 on
Seriously, Davies has absolutely no chance of leading anything (except maybe a charge for the crackers and dip bowl at a get together) . More realistically, Topp and Mulcair would be almost as much good fun.
TSYM on
Seems like you said much the same about Layton.
OriginalEmily1 on
The poor Liberals. First the election and next the post-election press coverage. Do they have anything left to lose?
Does anyone really expect the Conservative Government to give a hoot about the opposition’s opinions for the next three years until election talk begins?
The momentum of the NDP may have already been lost, that would have allowed them to expand themselves as a party of voters second choice.
PEIMAC on
Does anyone really expect the Cons to be in permanently?
Canada is not Alberta.
OriginalEmily1 on
More’s the pity.
margeryk on
No, we are all grateful we’re not in Alberta.
OriginalEmily1 on
No, she’s right. I’d much rather Alberta was more like Canada.
More’s the pity indeed.
Thwim on
Yes Thwim, Albertans aren’t real Canadians, are they?
OrsonBean on
@OrsonBean:disqus
No, more like real Americans.
OriginalEmily1 on
Keep on being your tolerant, inclusive self Emily.
OrsonBean on