Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

I don't think the NDP has been a truly socialist party in quite a while. You don't hear calls from them to end capitalism, just to control it more for the benefit of the 'little guy'.

As for the charisma issue, if there's one thing the Harper government has taught us, it's that a charismatic leader is NOT a prerequisite for political success. Also that scandals need not be the kiss of death for a government- compare the sponsorship scandal that just wouldn't go away for the Lib's with the many Tory scandals that make headlines for a few weeks, then conveniently fade away.

IMO Harper was elected while facing arguably main opponents who were also not charismatic (i.e. mainly the Liberal leaders, not counting Layton, nor Duceppe, who gaffed badly in Quebec towards the end of the last election).

[Ken Kurkowski]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

I don't think the NDP has been a truly socialist party in quite a while. You don't hear calls from them to end capitalism, just to control it more for the benefit of the 'little guy'.

As for the charisma issue, if there's one thing the Harper government has taught us, it's that a charismatic leader is NOT a prerequisite for political success. Also that scandals need not be the kiss of death for a government- compare the sponsorship scandal that just wouldn't go away for the Lib's with the many Tory scandals that make headlines for a few weeks, then conveniently fade away.

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Hi Bob

What Vlad wrote above makes sense to me, again matching what I think is the common wisdom.

If you're not personally appalled that the NDP has dropped its reference to its socalist (and, earlier, communist, if I might add) roots, then expect Ken Craft may be. Ken once posted long ago that he is a socialist, I recall.

Fwiw, here's a link to a history of the CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation), an earlier version of the party before it renamed itself the NDP after accusations of being communist during the Cold War:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-oper...lth_Federation

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Hi Bob

What Vlad wrote above makes sense to me, again matching what I think is the common wisdom.

If you're not personally appalled that the NDP has dropped its reference to its socalist (and, earlier, communist, if I might add) roots, then expect Ken Craft may be. Ken once posted long ago that he is a socialist, I recall.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Two Centre-Left Parties?

Hi Vlad & Kevin:

How do you think the mainstream media will now treat the NDP, with the term "socialism" now gone? Will they now see both as simply centre-left parties? Will there be a clear distinction between them in the press, etc.?

Bob A

That will really depend on their policies and rhetoric I think. Mulcair will have a serious problem in Alberta forever thanks to his comments and efforts to block Keystone. Demonizing Alberta does not play well in Ontario. His behaviour on the visit to the U.S. will come back to haunt him. Quebecers tend to vote for winners historically or protest votes in the case of the Bloc and NDP. Trudeau is playing it smart by being vague and letting everyone project their positive beliefs on him. At some point though he will need to come out of hiding or risk letting the Conservatives define him. The CBC and CTV is in full support mode for Trudeau from what I have seen of their reporting. Trudeau and the Liberals appear to have an edge on social media which could be huge. There probably is time to counteract that.

[Bob Armstrong]

Two Centre-Left Parties?

Hi Vlad & Kevin:

How do you think the mainstream media will now treat the NDP, with the term "socialism" now gone? Will they now see both as simply centre-left parties? Will there be a clear distinction between them in the press, etc.?

Bob A

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Even huge gaffes can be overcome with a complicit media that doesn't report them. From everything that I have seen there is as much Margaret as Pierre in the Justin genes which is what makes this interesting.

I stand corrected. :)

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Charisma virtually always trumps substance in politics, barring huge gaffe(s). :(

Even huge gaffes can be overcome with a complicit media that doesn't report them. From everything that I have seen there is as much Margaret as Pierre in the Justin genes which is what makes this interesting.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Any post coronation comments, now that that is (more or less) Just In? :)

For the most part, I'm satisfied with the way Harper is governing. Can't see much reason for a change.

[Zeljko Kitich]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Hi Kevin:
My $20 bill, sitting on my chess trophy's shelf (there are few, admittedly), is worriedly asking me if s/he's going to have a new home!

Bob A

Don't worry little $20, I'm sure Gary will find you a nice spot in his trophy case. :D;)

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

A common opinion I've heard is that the NDP will lose (plenty of) seats to the Liberals. I believe it. Before Trudeau ran for the Liberal leadership, I thought the common wisdom was that the NDP would lose plenty of seats to the Bloc next time. I believed that too, and perhaps that may still happen, too.

I'm still hoping there will be a fringe party I can vote for in my riding next time, though the Conservatives are looking like they may still deserve my (reluctant) vote. They're not as radical with their majority as I thought they might be, though I may not having been paying close enough attention.

Harper and Mulcair come across as angry old guys. Trudeau II might play that to his advantage, if he even needs to point it out. Only question may be whether Liberals get a minority (or Conservatives do) or Liberals even get a majority (if the country completely loses its mind, as was the case under Trudeau I). Charisma virtually always trumps substance in politics, barring huge gaffe(s). :(

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Hi Kevin:

Well the ground is shifting beneath my bet with Gary, as we speak.

The federal NDP has overwhelmingly moved towards the centre with the party moving away from using the term "socialism". Can we say the NDP is now more "social democrat"?

The federal Liberals have a mainstream media star (compared to the quite competent Mr. Mulcair). Will the lack of substance trump the "rock star" vote?

My fear is the split vote: PC > NDP or LPC (and they won't work together).

My $20 bill, sitting on my chess trophy's shelf (there are few, admittedly), is worriedly asking me if s/he's going to have a new home!

What do you think the federal NDP chances are of forming the federal government in the next election?

Do you think Trudeau can resurrect the LPC from the dead into first place??

Bob A

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Off topic, for CFC Governors who visit the CFC Discussion Board infrequently, an alert that there are a number of current posts on the Governors private forum.

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Our flawed electoral system

Hi Bob,

I wouldn't ask for it early. This is too much fun.

True Dough will make sure I win. :)

Fwiw, the correct translation of 'Trudeau' might be long well known to be 'Water Hole'. :)

Any post coronation comments, now that that is (more or less) Just In? :)

[Bob Armstrong]

Federal NDP Way to Power?

The Federal NDP way to power - Current Party Convention - A Dilemma:

From the April 12 Tyee:

"...NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's vision for the party, which is more friendly to business and trade than the party has been in the past, but is still strongly interventionist.

The rank-and-file began closed-door discussions Friday on a reworked preamble to their party's constitution, one that is more moderate, and removes most references to socialism.

One line talks of the belief in a "rules-based economy" to address the "common good."

But will the rank-and-file follow the lead of Mulcair, also the direction taken by late leader Jack Layton?

One group, dubbed the "social caucus," was out handing out flyers in the morning on the "fight to keep socialism in the NDP constitution." [ Bob - shades of the Ontarion NDP "Waffle" ]

Nathan Rotman, the national director of the NDP, emphasized that the party's process is open and democratic — but there is a vision that the party leadership is pushing for."

Bob A