Dion defends appointment of candidate in upcoming Saskatchewan byelection

[jolinar of malkshor]

Federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says his controversial decision to appoint a candidate in the upcoming Saskatchewan byelection is final, and that he hopes to find another way for the party to use the talents of snubbed contender David Orchard.
Dion told a news conference Wednesday he is confident his appointment of prominent native Joan Beatty, a former provincial NDP cabinet minister, is the right call, and that an angry backlash from some Liberals and native leaders will "not be as big" as some might think.
"I am calling on all the Liberals to work strongly with her to be sure that we will win this riding for the Liberal party," said Dion. "She is a tremendous candidate."

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/po...865f73&k=55924

This isn't the first time nor will it be the last time that Dion by-passes the democratic process to implement political affirmative action. The funny part about this is that the local band is pissed right off at Dion for doing this. The chief as called on the band members not to vote for the liberal member running in that riding.

[Byrns]

Orchard sure does seem to get walked over a lot in politics. First the "betrayal" by McKay now this.

[Hemi-Cuda]

this is why Canadian politics is a joke. at least the Americans hold caucuses and primaries to let the voters choose their party representative, the Canadian parties just pick whomever they want and basically tell the public to take em or leave em

[MarchHare]

Let's not act like this is something that only the Liberals do. A few months ago, Harper over-turned the nomination of a CPC candidate in Nova Scotia. The riding association democratically elected Bill Casey to run as their candidate in the next election. Harper refused to allow it, since he had previously kicked Casey out of the party because he had voted against the budget.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Let's not act like this is something that only the Liberals do. A few months ago, Harper over-turned the nomination of a CPC candidate in Nova Scotia. The riding association democratically elected Bill Casey to run as their candidate in the next election. Harper refused to allow it, since he had previously kicked Casey out of the party because he had voted against the budget.

True enough and Stelmach did it here to. But Dion has stated that he will do what ever he needs to to ensure that 30% of the liberal ridings have women in them.

[Daradon]

Yup all parties do it.

And what? This is what makes Canadian politics a joke compared to US politics/

Huh?

Have you paid attention to US politics lately?

Money, influence, lobbying and power.

Voters don't decide, money decides.

You gotta be a billionaire or have billionaires behind you to run there.

And then you gotta pay them off afterwards.

Sure they have more steps, more 'elections' to get there.

But it's all run by money. Or at least the last few steps.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Yup all parties do it.

And what? This is what makes Canadian politics a joke compared to US politics/

Huh?

Have you paid attention to US politics lately?

Money, influence, lobbying and power.

Voters don't decide, money decides.

You gotta be a billionaire or have billionaires behind you to run there.

And then you gotta pay them off afterwards.

Sure they have more steps, more 'elections' to get there.

But it's all run by money. Or at least the last few steps.

but that one last step is the most important. sure it may not matter in the long run, but the whole point of a democracy is for the people to choose their representatives. what exactly is democratic about a Liberal, Conservative, or any other party leader arbitrarily appointing a representative?

[Vulcan]

I think both the American and Canadian system have their problems. This is an example and shows Dion for the idiot he is. Not saying Harper is any better but I'm inclined to vote Liberal or NDP depending on the candidate.. I also like a strong opposition and Dion isn't providing it. I think it's totally bogus to put a 30% women Liberal candidate forced ratio. Either the candidate is qualified and electable or he or she is not. I don't choose a candidate to vote for, by their sex and I resent anybody forcing me to vote along that line.

[Devils'Advocate]

Can somebody tell me why so few women get chosen to run by the local party members? Are women just generally too incompetent and stupid? Or are qualified women being rejected as not being electable because having a vagina drops you 20 points in the polls because the Canadian electorate think that women are generally incompetent and stupid?

Why is it that Canada is virtually LAST in the developed world in female representation in their federal government? Are our women more incompetent and stupid than the women of other countries?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

but that one last step is the most important. sure it may not matter in the long run, but the whole point of a democracy is for the people to choose their representatives. what exactly is democratic about a Liberal, Conservative, or any other party leader arbitrarily appointing a representative?

There's nothing stopping an individual from running as an independant. If the people truly want Orchard, they'll get him.

I don't really see anything wrong with a party appointing a candidate. In fact, as far as I'm concerned it says something about a party when they appoint and when they kybosh. For better or for worse, it is their form of quality control.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

but that one last step is the most important. sure it may not matter in the long run, but the whole point of a democracy is for the people to choose their representatives. what exactly is democratic about a Liberal, Conservative, or any other party leader arbitrarily appointing a representative?

Oddly enough, I thought that was exactly what I was doing when I cast my ballot in the last election...

You are aware that Dion did not appoint someone to serve as the MP for that riding, right? The people still have their voice once election day comes.

That said, the optics of these moves is always horrible. And the 30% female candidates thing (affirmative action) is noble, but is something that is better attempted in a general election. Railroading the process to meet some kind of arbitrary figure is rather silly.