The NDP leadership campaign sparked considerable interest among Canadians and saw NDP membership soar, rising over 50% in six months to 128,351 on election day. Many of these first time members, such as myself, may well be interested in the NDP but may not be long term loyalists. After the campaign,
Continue readingTag: 2012 NDP Leadership Election
Progressive Proselytizing: A few words on Mulcair’s victory as NDP leader
As one of those who opted to vote for a range of “not-Mulcairs”, I can certainly empathize with those who might be disappointed that Tom Mulcair is now the official resident of Stornoway and the leader of the NDP. As something of a call for unity, I want to make
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: My NDP leadership ballot rankings
Let’s just get it over with: Nathan Cullen Brian Topp Peggy Nash Paul Dewar Niki Ashton Thomas Mulcair Martin Singh These rankings are not necessarily who I think is best as the leader, but are for a variety of strategic reasons as written below. The major choices involved where I
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Vancouver NDP leadership debate candidate rankings
The NDP’s final leadership debate wrapped up today in Vancouver in advance of the March 24th leadership convention. It has been a long road since the first debate back in Ottawa, and every candidate has managed to both improve their debating skills as well as set out key policy and
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Analyzing Nathan Cullen’s Joint Nomination Plan
NDP leadership candidate Nathan Cullen has staked his bid to be the next Prime Minister of Canada on an unconventional electoral strategy. He would allow so called joint nominations where, at the riding level, riding associations for the Liberals and the NDP (and in principle other parties) could opt to
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Impressions and Analysis from the Winnipeg NDP Leadership Debate
The following is my impressions of the candidates and discussion of various issues raised in the Winnipeg NDP Leadership Debate. Past debate coverage: Ottawa | Toronto | Halifax Brian Topp: I believe that Brian Topp won this debate. I don’t say that lightly; in every other debate thus far I have
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: NDP Leadership Candidate Policy Comparisons: Israel/Palestine
The Israel/Palestine issue is the foreign policy issue to which politians are most expect to have a cogent answer to. It is a necessary right of passage and, for many, a litmus test for political support. Unlike many other countries and regions to which my research has not indicated extensive
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Why you should register (by Feb 18th) to vote in the NDP Leadership Election
NDP Candidates at the Quebec debate February 18th is the last date for which new NDP members are eligible to vote in the NDP Leadership elections that will occur on March 24th. If you are a un(der)employed or 26 years old or less, it only costs five bucks. Registering as
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Halifax NDP Federal Leader Debate January 29th Analysis
The following is various reactions and analysis of the Halifax NDP Federal Leader debate on January 27th. Previous NDP debate commentary: Dec 4th Ottawa Debate | January 18th Toronto Debate part 1 | January 18th Toronto Debate part 2 (Issues and Themes). The third English language debate largely followed the themes and
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Would a female NDP leader be an advantage?
When Barack Obama became President, there was an enormous outpouring of emotion at the historic fact of electing the first black President. Had Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary instead, America would most likely have had its first female President which would have been similarly venerated. Regardless of who the
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Issues and Themes in the Toronto NDP Federal Leadership Debate
Part one of this blog’s coverage of the Toronto NDP Federal Leadership debate on January 18th gives an overview of the various candidates more on the side of personality, debating skills, speaking skills, and the like. This second post takes a look at the dominant themes and issues raised in
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Toronto NDP Federal Leadership Debate Reactions
I attended the Toronto Area Council NDP Federal Leadership Debate. What follows is a range of reactions about the candidates, policies, and themes in this debate. Crowd: The crowd packed the 850 seat theater at the Bloor Collegiate Institute leaving 150 outside and unable to enter; an excellent showing, especially given that this is
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Liberal voting reform endorsement reduces chances of NDP-Liberal merger
The question of a Liberal-NDP merger was something that was discussed quite openly following Harper’s ascent to a majority. Such poltical heavyweights as Jean Chretien even weighed in on the idea, and Jack Layton (an opponent or merger) has now passed away. It is thus worth noting, given recent events, how such
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Importance of Geography in the NDP Leadership Election
When choosing the next NDP leader, one question that can be raised is considerations for where the NDP leader is geographically based from. How much of a difference does this make, and, if it matters, where ought that region to be? The list, found at the end of this post, shows the
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: The importance of likeability in the NDP leadership race
If there is anything that the last decade in Canadian politics has proven, it is that Canadians want a strong leader that can connect and be liked by the people. The Liberal party nominated twice in a row a leader which had significantly problems with likeability and resulted in back
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Ottawa NDP Leadership Debate Thoughts
The debate was good. Exciting even. After several months of being forced to sate my political appetite on the Republican leadership contest, the NDP leadership debate in Ottawa provided a refreshing Canadian contrast. Overall there was far more homogeneity between positions than there was difference. The tone of the debate
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Peggy Nash announces candidacy for NDP leadership
Peggy Nash, the NDP incumbent for my riding of Parkdale-Highpark and the candidate I voted for, has just announced that she is running to be the next NDP leader. I wanted to share my thoughts on her announcement and recall some previous comments I have…
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: My deflating optimism about the NDP leadership race
For a while, I was feeling very energized about the NDP leadership race. We on the left were going to get six months or so to have a real and refreshing discussion of values and policies about where to go from here. With a relatively new One Member One…
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: NDP vs Liberal Leadership Election Procedures
We are at a unique position not seen in a long time when both the NDP and the Liberals are set to elect new leadership and are currently led by interim leaders. Following Jack Layton’s death, the NDP will hold its leadership vote in January of 2012 and…
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