52 replies to this topic

[cybercoma]

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Newfoundlander]

I think Nathan Cullen would be the best. At the moment I still think there is a good chance Peggy Nash will win, and I think that's great.

[j44]

When it started I wanted Cullen to come out on top but I see Mulcair as the best choice now. I still like Cullen however and I think he has a bright future. But I think Mulcair has the best hope of getting the center votes which in my opinion is the only way they'll form a government. I really don't see Nash's appeal other than her being one of the more left wing candidates. Although I honestly didn't see her performance as finance critic being great either. That's not to say she won't or can't win though. I've been following the race pretty closely but if it ends with Nash or Topp winning it'll feel like I sat through a 3 hour movie and the ending was terrible.

[UofGPolitico]

As I've stated, the only real choice is Mulcair. If the NDP is really serious about attempting to go for government in 2015 and beyond. Any of the other candidates in my view would both erode the Quebec support which indirectly will send them back to 3rd party status and irrelevancy. People talk about manufactured majorities, well we have a manufactured Official opposition too in my mind lol. Their support in Quebec is so tenuous and already is showing severe signs of weakness. Mulcair can at least probably keep a strong foothold there. They need to do that. Mulcair is also centrist enough he might be able to better pitch to centre-left voters in Ontario to give the NDP a chance as well. Yes, the west will probably hate Mulcair because he will favour Quebec, but as long as the NDP can win the majority in Quebec, a decent amount in Ontario and piece together support across the country, they could win government without widespread western support.

[j44]

I heard Andrew Coyne say that whoever comes in third on the first ballot at the convention could be deciding factor. I think he was writing Topp, Ashton and Singh off and assuming Mulcair would come in first and Nash in second on the first ballot. He said that if Cullen comes in third he could throw his support behind Mulcair and give him the leadership. But if Dewar comes in third he could support Nash and push her into first. Interesting scenario.

[Evening Star]

With the new voting format, with so many members voting by mail or online ahead of time, could those sorts of deals really have the same impact that they used to?

[UofGPolitico]

With the new voting format, with so many members voting by mail or online ahead of time, could those sorts of deals really have the same impact that they used to?

Coyne was just thinking about it logically. Its logical to think the majority of Dewar first ballot supporters would have ranked Nash ahead of Mulcair on their preferential ballot. Where as Cullen supporters would be more likely to rate Mulcair higher than Nash.

Of course logic could be thrown out the window with this type of system.

Edited by UofGPolitico, 08 March 2012 - 09:03 PM.

[Newfoundlander]

I heard Andrew Coyne say that whoever comes in third on the first ballot at the convention could be deciding factor. I think he was writing Topp, Ashton and Singh off and assuming Mulcair would come in first and Nash in second on the first ballot. He said that if Cullen comes in third he could throw his support behind Mulcair and give him the leadership. But if Dewar comes in third he could support Nash and push her into first. Interesting scenario.

He never said anything about candidates throwing support behind another. He said Cullen supporters would likely go to Mulcair, due to their similarities, and Dewar, Nash and Topp supporters would likely choose each other over Mulcair.

[j44]

He never said anything about candidates throwing support behind another. He said Cullen supporters would likely go to Mulcair, due to their similarities, and Dewar, Nash and Topp supporters would likely choose each other over Mulcair.

My mistake.

[mentalfloss]

I don't usually jump on board with any "leader" of a political party, but Mulcair is one of the few that actually seems to have both charisma and logic to contend with.

[Newfoundlander]

If Mulcair can attack Harper like he attacks journalists and his co-deputy leader I'm sure he'll do great.

[mentalfloss]

If Mulcair can attack Harper like he attacks journalists and his co-deputy leader I'm sure he'll do great.

I loved that exchange.

[j44]

Someone thinks Singh is going to win?

[cybercoma]

Someone thinks Singh is going to win?

I didn't pick him, but it's not as far-fetched as it seems. They've been working overtime signing up new members. Much of the new membership in BC is from his campaign's legwork.

Edited by cybercoma, 09 March 2012 - 11:49 AM.

[j44]

I didn't pick him, but it's not as far-fetched as it seems. They've been working overtime signing up new members. Much of the new membership in BC is from his campaign's legwork.

I agree that anything can happen...especially in these types of races but I was surprised there is a Singh vote but none for Dewar.

Not to write him off but I thought maybe that he had a relative here since I'm pretty sure Nash does. She has a lot of support from a poster although I've yet to hear legitimate reasons.

Do you have an article to back up the BC thing? I'm not totally disputing it but I would think Cullen got a lot of those new members.