Peculiar that there isnt a thread about this yet - I know this site is mostly frequented by Albertans but politics on the Left is important and their happens to be a few candidates (2) that I might actually vote for.
www.liberal.ca
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Almost forgot, if you want blogger info, the best leftist blogger site is:
http://www.stageleft.info/
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I figured I would start by putting the list of Candidates - the list is from the Liberal website – wasn’t chosen in any particular order of my own:
(1) Michael Ignatieff
http://www.michaelignatieff.ca
(2) Bob Rae
http://www.bobrae.ca
(3) Joe Volpe
http://www.JoeVolpe.ca
(4) Gerard Kennedy
http://www.gerardkennedy.ca
(5) Stephane Dion
http://www.stephanedion.ca
(6) Martha Hall Findlay
http://www.marthahallfindlay.ca
(7) Scott Brison
www.scottbrison.ca
(8) Ken Dryden
www.kendryden.ca
Here is my own take on each of them just from what I have seen/heard and the final standings of how I think it.
1 Bob Rae
He is absolutely everything I hate about Politics, has no opinions and is greasy, greasy like selling Rub n Tugs out of a trailer in Sunnyvail.
2 Gerard Kennedy
At first glance I see him as a young Bob Rae but when you put his life into context – started the Centre of the Universe and Edmunchucks Food Bank – while he is a life long liberal, depending on how he acts, I could see myself voting for him.
3 Michael Ignatieff
He seems like the most stand up candidate for the Fed Libs I have ever seen – I have always wondered why he isn’t a Conservative. He has views, doesn’t seem like a slimeball, doesn’t skirt tough issues – has “Canadian media” controversial viewpoints but in my book he is easily the best candidate – given him v Harper – I would have a tough time voting for Harper so long as Ignatieff’s views don’t get hammered by the classic liberal BS scheme
4 Stephane Dion
Seems very passionate but is a “Cretiean Liberal”. I see 4 more years of Cretieanism if he was in power.
5 Scott Brison
The candidate I hate the most – I don’t care what party you are in – if you cross the floor you are a dirt bag – plain and simple. Everytime he talks I want to throw something at my TV.
6 Joe Volpe
I don’t know a lot about this guy, just on watching some videos on CPAC/CBC/Duffy Live he seems like the classic Bob Rae type politician – no real conviction.
7 Marth Hall Findlay
Again, know really nothing about her – she seems alright I guess.
8 Ken Dryden
What a slimbag – and he used to work with the Leafs – nuff said. Imagine what men like Espo thought about Dryden during the Canada Cup – gutless wuss was probably uttered more than once.
Here is my list of the top 5 on how they would compare via Harper in the next election:
1 Michael Ignatieff
Easily the most difficult opponent for Harper – has opinions – could challenge in Quebec – could take a few ridings in Alberta – 1 or 2 in Edmonton and likely 1 in Calgary. His problem is he isn’t seasoned enough- the Liberals wouldn’t have their easiest weapon available (Bush lover, Afghanistan, etc).
2 Gerard Kennedy
Because he is new on the scene he doesn’t have the old Liberal baggage – he will almost for sure get votes in Edmonton because of the foodbank thing. His lack of French will hurt him, if he wins I see an election by June at the latest so Harper can pull the same thing Cretiean did with Day. This is a tough one to call because he is so new.
3 ****** Bob Rae
I think Rae has the ability to be the easiest and toughest candidate for Harper. Easiest because he is a “Johnny come lately” Liberal, has Ontario record – like wouldn’t retake the Torries gain in Quebec. Toughest because he is the classic Leftist Teflon Big Willy style politician – doesn’t stand for a lot so its hard to pin him on something.
4 Stepahne Dion
If he were to win, I think the Liberals increase seats in QC but lose more Ontario. His old Cretiean supporter role will bite him hard in QC.
5 Martha Hall Findlay
Difficult because she is a woman, easy because she is a woman – don’t really know enough about her to say either way.
Here is my thinking on how the campaign goes – 3 scenarios:
1: Rae Wins – Rae is within 10% of Ignatieff in first vote – Volpe drops out and supports Rae, that Causes Findlay and Brison to support Rae after the second. Kennedy and Dion get together but its too late – Dion likely has too much pride to concede after the first and if he doesn’t the Kennedy doesn’t have a shot against Rae’s momentum. Ignatieff and Rae down to the wire, Kennedy’s supporters choose mostly Rae on second ballot – Rae wins in 4th or 5th ballot.
2: Ignatieff wins – Rae is 13%+ behind Ignatieff. That causes Volpe and Findlay to support Ignatieff, Brison supports after Ingatieff after second, Dion again has too much pride. Ignatieff wins on 3rd ballot.
3: Kennedy wins – Rae is 13%+ behind Ignatieff – Dion supports Kennedy after first causing Volpe to also support. After second Findlay is a backer after Kennedy increases 5% points. After 3rd Findlay suppots, After 4th Dryden and Brison support.
After 5th Rae is eliminated and his second vote goes mostly to Kennedy.
The speeches are tonight starting at 2:30pm. My PVR is set to record – I think tonight will tell the tail for Ingatieff – he needs to win early as in first or second ballot, if not Rae likely snakes in.
Rae’s speech will also be interesting to see if he gives an explanation for his “Johnny come Lately” opportunism.
I tend to thing people will see through Kennedy’s stance on the “nation” vote for what I see it as – just political posturing for the Leadership campaign to show a decisive difference between him and the others. Had he come out the day Harper announced it – I might give him the benefit if the doubt.
Anyways – please add anything of value – its Canadian politics and it does matter even if you would never ever vote liberal – there is something we all don’t want, and that is Canada joining the Belgium-Germany-France “Pact of Steel” BS artists.
Cheers
MYK
Liberal Leadership - 2006
