I had heard rumours to the effect that Gerard Kennedy had “gone the full commie” (ie grown a beard), but now that I’ve seen pics, I am somewhat assuaged; I can still imagine doing a business deal with the guy, for example. I mean, a few C…
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Blunt Objects: Mapping the NDP Leadership Contest
A good chunk of NDP MPs and other notables have started lining up behind candidates, and it might be worthwhile to note who is supporting who:Brian Topp:Fmr NDP Leader Ed BroadbentFmr Sask. Premier Roy RomanowGatineau MP Francoise Boivin (QC)BC MLA Daw…
Continue readingBlunt Objects: Topp is Top?
At least, according to Warren Kinsella, he is.But the very Léger Marketing poll he used to defend has a conflicting report within it. I don’t have full access to the numbers (when I do, I’ll go a lot more in-depth into it), but the Montreal Gazette gi…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Afternoon Links
Assorted content to start your week.- Once again, the NDP’s popular support is holding up in the face of plenty of predictions to the contrary. But I’m sure we’ll hear all about how the leadership race will do what the scrutiny of an election campaign,…
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: It’s bad enough the NDP are letting other candidates run
September 2nd: Thomas Mulcair says he won’t run for the leadership of the NDP unless the party agrees to hold its convention in late winter or early spring, because he wouldn’t be able to compete in a short race.September 19th: [Muclair] told reporters…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Taking shape
With the NDP’s leadership rules now set, let’s take a look at how the race is shaping up. As best I can tell, the Mark’s list of candidates looks to reflect the group most likely to enter the race, featuring Brian Topp, Thomas Mulcair, Niki Ashton, Pet…
Continue readingCuriosityCat: Modernizing the NDP: Who is pinker – Brian Topp or Thomas Mulcair?
They’re off! The race for the new leader of the Official Opposition party – the NDP – is now on, with one major announced candidate (Brian Topp) and the other major candidate (Thomas Mulcair) setting up a panCanadian team before throwing his hat in…
Continue readingCuriosityCat: Mulcair and Topp – Their challenge: 90,000 new NDP members
Right now, the NDP in Quebec is punching far below its weight when it comes to the number of Quebeckers signed up as members of that party. In fact, it is punching so far below its weight that it really isn’t in the ring at all.The challenge for Topp a…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Leadership 2012: The Week In Quotes
A few quotes worth noting from both candidates and non-candidates alike – feel free to suggest more in comments.Thomas Mulcair on his considerations in deciding whether to run:There’s an old saying that before you take the plunge, you have to make sure…
Continue readingPushed to the Left and Loving It: Fresh Merger Talks Raise the Question: Is it Time?
Thomas Walkom had a column in the Star this weekend, raising the possibility of Bob Rae as the next federal NDP leader.A rather silly attempt at reminding Canadians that he once led the NDP in Ontario, even acting as premier. While in office, Walkom wr…
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Mulcair’s Moment
Lawrence Martin’s analysis is usually pretty solid, although his suggestions for party leadership posts have not met with overwhelming approval. His proclamation earlier this year that Justin Trudeau should become the new permanent leader of the Libera…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading.
– The Cons are once again getting noticed in the world – this time thanks to Serge Schemann pointing out their callous treatment of asbestos widow Michaela Keyserlingk in the New York Times:
This summer, to Mrs. …
Accidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.
– Canada’s Prime Minister is openly advocating for the use of soldiers over mere books or arguments as a means of persuasion. Which of course means it’s time to start making jokes about Thomas Mulcair.
– Sp…
Continue readingRedBedHead: After Jack: Three Bad Ideas & One Good One For The NDP
The weeklong outpouring of mourning, love and solidarity after the passing of NDP Leader Jack Layton has now subsided. The sense of optimism that Jack insisted upon and the hunger for change that he not only represented but fanned to flame with the fun…
Continue readingBlunt Objects: The Stop Mulcair Movement
Just so everyone knows, I think it exists. It exists in all parties, when the supposed “front-runner” of a leadership battle who tends to be the opposite of what the old leader or a significant portion of the party was/wants gains an anti-movement.To p…
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: Where do they go from here?
After a week of tributes and mourning, the talk in Ottawa is sure to turn to “what now” this week, as the NDP begins the process of replacing Jack Layton.
Of course, some did not wait that long. Anonymous NDP insiders let it be known that Brian Topp w…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Messages ignored
Loving. Hopeful. Optimistic. UR doin it wrong.
Though from Thomas Mulcair’s standpoint, I’m not sure the anonymous back-biting can’t be turned into a plus: what better way to dispel questions about whether a candidate can keep his cool and rise abov…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On non-news
No, it isn’t news that the Cons tried unsuccessfully to recruit Thomas Mulcair around the time when he decided instead to run for the NDP. But for those looking for an actual topic worth discussing, what does it say that the Cons’ idea of a “gotcha” is…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Pop quiz
To my recollection, exactly one Canadian political party has featured a candidate other than its leader in a recent ad campaign. Guess which one, and in which province.Then take the spin that the party’s leader served as its lone face in that province …
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