If you were a Liberal Delegate who would you support?

Hi Nik,
I have already said it that the Liberal party needs to re-invent itself, and give all members
a voice in choosing his/her favorate candidate. One member, one vote, and conventions
around the Country, if need be! This system was too exclusive; the party candidates
speak of being inclusive to all.
Blos

I truly think Ignatieff should be a clear winner however Bob Rae is still based as a new democrat. Our party shouldn't be changing to support the democrats.So Bob is a jumper between floors and he only changed sides to run for Leadership so he could the first prime minister and change it and make history with the NDP winning their first Prime Ministership

The Liberal Party is entirely about winning elections. Their policies and platforms are constructed to appeal to the largest number of Canadians. When the mood of the populace fluctuates, so do Liberal principles. This is not a critique but rather an observation. The Liberals seem intent on selecting not neccessarily the most principled candidate but the one most likely to defeat Harper.

If I were a delegate I would choose Bob Rae as the candidate most likely to win the next election. While he has some baggage, he is the most polished of the field. Ignatieff would be crushed by the Conservative machine in any election; one slip in a debate(a la Turner in '84) and the Liberals would be finished. Kennedy, while enthusiatic, would be a better fit in a long-term, multiple-election plan.

I like Dion, he is clearly the most prinicipled and is prepared to stand up for what he believes in(look at his fight against the Separatists). However, principled leadership is not condusive with Liberal philosophy. Therefore, I would have to choose the former NDP Premier, Bob Rae, to lead the Party into the next election.

Bob Rae is too connected to his brother (mulrooney hack) and the Power Corp with Desmarais (backroom manipulation and power) so he's out. Ignatieff is in Canada for a visit until something else interests him ( please make him contribute 30 years of income tax for our medicare and social programs - that he claims to support - I'm assuming that's philosophic because he has not paid for them) so he's out. Kennedy (welcome to a Canada that goes from Toronto to Winnipeg) so he's out. Dion is quite good and passionate about the country however (I'm from Newfoundland and Labrador) and I do not want our clean hydro stripped to satisfy Quebec's and Ontario's climate plan) so he's out.
Best I can tell from the speeches - debates - and campaigns Dryden is connected best to people not party machines - has appeal across Canada and is a Liberal - that would be my choice. I guess I would lose my vote.
The Liberals had every opportunity to show some restructure and cleanliness but came up short - never had a woman as a leader - continues to place women at the back of the pack - chose to continue delegate conventions instead of one member - one vote (democracy) demonstrated to all viewers that policy and constitutional issues are really for show - nobody bothers to show up. Jack Leyton will gain significantly from this public show.

If I were there, I would definitely be supporting Stephane Dion. His environmental policies are second to none, he is incredibly intelligent but not naive with flapping gums and bad judgment (are you listening, Mikey Ignatieff?) Dion and Rae both have momentum, whereas Iggy has none. I think Rae will win but I would support Dion; he has much more potential in Ontario than does a former failed NDP premier.

Another comment said that the Liberals are looking not for the most principled leader, but the one most likely to win an election. Iggy is neither, Rae won't win an election, and Kennedy seems to shift his ideas a but too often. Dion has principle and he can beat Harper, especially in Quebec. It's time for a francophone to lead the party; the tradition of anglo/franco alternation must continue, and Martin was an anglo.

As far as the Liberals only wanting to win elections, there is a good reason for that: Canada needs the Liberal Party. Canadians are hurt and angry that Harper is trying to turn our country into a wasteland and leaving our once-great international reputation in tatters with his betrayal of signed deals like the Kyoto Accord. Urbanites worry that he would love for everyone to walk around with guns; Harper wants to get rid of the incredibly successful gun registry, which has received the repeated praise of the police (evidently the Tories think they know more about fighting crime than the police). The environment, our day care system, the list goes on and on.

Canadians are counting on the Liberals to pick the right leader to take on Harper. Iggy is a carbon copy of Harper with his silly support for the invasion of Iraq. Rae is a failed NDPer trying to resurrect his ruined image in another party. Dion is the man to take it - and to save Canada from Harper's despicable, disgusting plans to Mike Harris-ize our great nation.

Choose wisely, Liberals!

If I was a delagate, I would pick Kennedy. Why? He is young, full of character, and ambitious. Gerard wasn't affraid to get a little risky with how he wanted to right the wrongs in the party. He showed that the only way to fix this party is to unite it once and for all. Out of all the candidates, Kennedy showed the guts to tell it like it is. Good for him.

The most loved, sincere, honest, well known 100% Canadian of them all... Ken Dryden. Not just because he's the best choice for leader, he's the best choice to defeat Harper and serve up a majority.

ABI. If Iggy wins, I will never vote Liberal again. He's been living outside of Canada for 30 years. He was parachuted into Etobicoke Lakeshore, displacing Jean Augustine, who had represented that district for many years. He's the choice of the party machine, the backroom boys (no girls in this group!). He mouths off on subjects he appears to know little about. For all of these reasons he's the least suitable person to lead the Liberal Party or anything else in Canada.

I would vote for Michael Ignatieff. Canada is a divided nation, what we desperately need is a leader with an intellect equal to or better than that of Pierre Trudeau who has to ability to unite Canadians. Bob Rae carries too much baggage, he represents the same left wing fringe that is ruining the Democratic Party in the United States.

Hi Nik

if I was a delegate, I would want to choose someone who can win, and winning goes through Quebec. MI is right now too risky and I believe people may see him as leader next time around- if there is a next time around for him. Some will say Dion is not liked in Quebec-I say, not liked by whom? Separatists who wouldn't vote Liberal anyway. Kennedy is for next time and he would need to polish his French and gain federal cabinet experience

So it's Dion or Rae.

I would vote for Dion because of his positive experiences in the Chretien/Martin cabinets, and his care about the environment. PM Harper would have his hands full against Dion in the next election, and one would hope he would campaign as Team Liberal with the fresh faces of Kennedy and Dryden by his side

Hi Nik,

You might think I am off the wall here but don't be surprised if Rae passes Ignatieff on ballot 2 and Dion starts to close in on Ignatieff. Wouldn't it be ironic if the King- to- be (Ignatieff) ends up being the King-Maker?

Dear Nik,
As we head into the final ballot of th Liberal Leadership Convention one thing is
certain Martha Hall Findlay still remains the best candidate to bring about
REAL renewal and change for the future of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Throughout the campaign she has addressed the tough questions of policy and
brought new found energy and substance to the new age and emerging questions of
what has gone wrong within the Liberal cause. She is leading the movement for a "spirit of change from within". Life as a Liberal in the greatest country in
the world has truly become more exciting and challenging with these
questions being asked. The deep wounds within the Liberal party and
organization over the past decade need to be healed and a strong united
party become engaged with Canadians once again. Martha Hall Findlay is the
person to achieve this long term restructuring but sadly the political
process has silenced her...for NOW.

Martha Hall Findlay is the right leader to take the Liberal Party forward.
Martha has the fundamental values and attitudes that the next leader of the
Liberal Party of Canada will need to be successful.Martha's credentials
speak for themselves from her life long exposure to the Canadian economy
from small business owner to Corporate Counsel for Bell Mobility, to her
role as bearer of generational change within the Liberal Party and her
steadfast commitment to re-energize the party and way of thinking with
innovative ideas and a fresh viewpoints on policies ranging from Health Care to Senate Reform to the Environment and
legalizing marijuana. Her appreciation for the Canadian way of life comes
out even more vitally in her understanding the experiences, first hand,
of "working for a living" and as a fluently bilingual Canadian articulate
in both French and English. Martha Hall Findlay is a down-to-earth,
straight-shooting, and passionate women leader.

As Chairperson of her Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Campaign over the
past 6 months I have had the distinct honour and privilege of watching her
in action, seeing the hope she instils in others and feeling her passion for
our country and way of life. Today, the day before the Convention to choose
our next Liberal Leader, it is indeed disappointing she will not become that
Leader of the Liberal Party. I am however content with the thought that she
will be part of the process for tackling the problems that afflict our
Canada such as poverty, unemployment, workplace democracy, racial and gender
inequality and the imbalance of power and wealth.

Martha Hall Findlay and her refreshing "Big Red Bus" have moved the record
forward, engaged Canadians in changing our destiny with articulate and well
thought out positions formed with the substance and style only a past Member
of our National Ski team and lawyer from Toronto could offer.

Michael Ignatieff should, if all things good and just within the Liberal Party,
win the Liberal Leadership today and he will be well served to have
Martha on his team.

There may be an anybody but Dion situation after next ballot. It appears that MI and BR are best of buddies-maybe they deal that whoever finishes third crowns the other and receives whatever plum position he desires

Nk I would support Bob Rae, but if Dion wins he loses the Election, as memtioned on TV westerners do not want another Prime Minister from Quebec they cannot be trusted, the West - East battle will start over again.

I guess my guy Kennedy is now out and I don't feel that I can really get excited about any of the three that are left. However, as an Ontarian, Bob Rae's past performance here would not hinder my ability to vote for him if he did win the leadership. Afterall, Harper slapped us in the face with his appointment of 'Two-Tier' Tony Clement, "Throw the Homeless in Jail' Flaherty and 'Boondoggle' Baird, who still refuses to be accountable for the mess he made of the Ontario Disablity Program, despite a scathing report from the Provincial auditor.

I saw him on your program chafing at the bit to childishly display the anti-Rae buttons. My favourite was the 'skinny dipping' shot with Rick Mercer. Mr. Baird doesn't have to take his clothes off to show Canadians an ass.

I'm not a liberal, since 1993 i vote Bloc Quebecois, but if Ignatieff is the new leader of the Liberal Party, i'm gone change my vote for sure. He inspire my confidence and the renewal.

Does anyone want to challenge my comments: If Dion Wins The Liberals Lose The Election!!

Hi Nik: Over the past months all the liberals (lower-case intended) I know, have moved from hoping Bob Rae would run-to comparisons with Ignatieff-to interest in the variety of candidates and a growing appreciation of Dion's passion about the things that matter to us-to a real sense that he will make an exciting Prime Minister for these times. Now we are on the edge of the couch awaiting the final ballot. I am very amused at the media conceding that M. Dion "however this ends up..has made such great gains when we saw him as a one-trick-pony." This just minutes before he emerged as the front-runner. One hopes this will be a lesson to you all! Thanks-Michele

I would vote for Dryden. He's the only one who can beat Harper.

But seeing as though he won't make it to the end, I think Kennedy would be the best choice (new ideas, youth and enough experience to get the job done)

Thank you Liberal delegate, Stephane Dion is the best thing that could happen to Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc. Now it seem that he will be elected chief of the Liberal party, and wtih this nomination, the PQ will be elected also the Bloc will dominate Quebec at the next election. And we will finaly get Quebec to ben independant. Thanks Thanks and many Thanks to all Liberal delegate who have make the right choice for Quebec Independance.

For all the talk that this is the last and final ballot.... is that really a mathematical certainty?

The total valid votes in 3rd ballot were 4817.

The announced number of votes required to win was 2410.

This suggests to me that the criteria is 50% + 1 vote.

Assuming the same number of votes is cast in this 4th ballot, could we not end up with one candidate with 2409, one with 2408, and no winner?

Is there anything in the rules about what happens in a two person race (is it no longer 50% +1, but just the majority of votes?)?

Pondering in Boston....

At this point, I would have to put my support behind Stéphan Dion, as so much of the party has rallied behind him, giving a unified voice. As a Liberal, it is important to understand we want to come out of this convention as ONE unified Liberal Party. By selecting the candidate with the most unified support from other candidates and camps, it helps to further the sense and desire for a unified Liberal Party to better accomplish our goals for a Liberal, better Canada.

[updated Sat Dec 02 16:30:03 EST 2006]

Im wondering where the money funding these candidates is comming from... without knowing that its hard to know what they are really all about... Nik do you have the skinny on this... we know where Volpe's money was comming from... is any of Dion's money comming from big oil or the automobile industry? Just curious... what about Iggy... how icky is his money...?

ben

Bob Rae didn't win, that's all that matters.