If I weren't such a devoted New Dem I'd run for the Liberals. they really have nobody and I couldn't be any worse than what they've already got.

Michael Ignatieff? Please. The man has yet to step into Parliament. And he's about as far out of touch with ordinary Canadians as you can get as a University Professor (Those are usually the types that the Federal NDP gets saddled with!) In fact, he's out of touch with Canadians because he's been living outside Canada for over two decades. Maybe he should live in Canada for awhile, learn about Canadian values, get a job, and learn some respecrt for the Lord, the law, and the workin' man. As it is, he's an early Christmas gift for Stephen Harper.

Maybe there's hope for the NDP yet. with a veritable Westminster Dog Show of candidates, the NDP could be the next official opposition. But only if they get tough on crime and terrorists!

I seem to recall quite the "Westminster Dog Show" of candidates in the last NDP leadership race as well

Instead of the NDP getting all happy and such, they could always look at it this way:

Leader comparison, seats won in last two elections:

Paul Martin: 238
Stephen Harper: 223
Gilles Duceppes: 105
Jack Layton: 48

Touche!

or look at it this way:

Seat change from 2004 election to 2006 election

-32 Paul Martin and liberals

+ 10 Jack layton and NDP

Stats stats stats.

It's really still another "who cares" day in Liberal land. The only candidate to emerge yet who has anything like the star power necessary to rebuild Liberal ranks and payoff their mountainous $30+ million debt, which was racked up by business friendly fiscal conservative Paul Martin, is Ashley McIsaac. However, I don't think that the rank and file Liberal envelope lickers and lawn sign erectors are quite ready yet for Ashley's brand of platform presence.

It is nice to see such a huge field of candidates in a wide open race. I think it will be exciting and the cream will rise to the top.

Almost all of them have equivalent, or more experience than the other party leadership contestants - so it is pretty rich to see them trying to throw stones.

NDP math takes the Liberal party's $3-4 million debt, widely reported over the weekend, to $30+ million. Good luck picking up seats with this type of manufactured hysteria.

or look at it this way:

Seat change from 2004 election to 2006 election

-32 Paul Martin and liberals

+ 10 Jack layton and NDP

Stats stats stats.

Ron, you're not helping much. I wouldn't want you to have my back in a barfight or else I may end up with no ears!

Still, the Liberals can't laugh at us too much. They have Michael "Reverend Jim" Ignatowski running for leader.

The Libs and NDP are both sort of correct. The Libs DO have a $30m debt (ie, they owe $30m to others), but hope to flatten $25m with the anticipated rebate.

The 30 million debt is a myth. Please, someone correct these goofs.

I think the ndp is absolutely terrified that ken dryden or ignatieff would win, edging layton out completely

Drydan doesn't have much experience in the political arena but what he has is high level. However, he has demonstrated leadership qualities, is highly accomplished, is a known quantity under pressure, has had many years exposure to the limelight and dealing with the media and is well known and respected for his achievements and liked in all parts of Canada. If you are considering salability in BC, and the rest of Canada, I think he may have it.

Michael Ignatieff - With no experience in politics as far as I know except this last election (and given the riding I am not sure he won it because of himself or despite himself) I can't see him leading the Liberals into the next election which may be quite soon and quite nasty. Being leader during an election is very high pressure and requires the right kind of person. And so, I think it would be better to have someone who has, for one, demonstrated their ability to perform under such extreme pressure. Having not lived in Canada for so long I can't see him rallying the troupes or drawing people from other parties to the Liberals - something which obviously must be done if the Liberals want to come out ahead in the next election. He may be an intellectual but that doesn't make him a leader. Rather than assuming a position he is not ready for, it may be useful to the Liberal Party for him to assist in something he may well excel in such as policy development and he doesn't have to be leader to do this. For example, he could pick up someone else's banner in the leadership race and make his contribution. Drydan, on the other hand, has more experience as a politician and has considerable experience under pressure. Further he is very well known in Canada and I think would be able to lead the troupes into the next election.

WLM

"I think the ndp is absolutely terrified that ken dryden or ignatieff would win, edging layton out completely"

Actually, this board is scared and hence the failure to mention them as contenders.

The current debating strategy of Harper Conservatives is to ignore the truth in the opposition's arguements and hope the public does not notice. Last election they had an assist from the Globle and Mail... this time the Globe will pump Ignatieff and allow negative rehtoric about Mr. Harper - See Simpson's rescent article on Harper as an example.

Remember, the media (and the public) sees Harper's time as a time-out for the Liberals... they don't see Mr. Harper as a real leader... recent action re-enforce the view.

Spend some time talking to Mr. Ignatieff, he may have lived outside of the country, but spent a lot of time in Canada, teaching at Universities, preparing tv documentaries etc.
Our troubles will really begin if the conservatives win a majority, if you get it, I do.
money to provinces for health and education,
no money for housing or social assistance, if
provinces need money for those or other programs will need to raise their own taxes.
Private Health Care, all working Canadians will pay Health Insurance, Public System for Canadians who cannot afford Health Insurance.
Adding "property rights" to the constitution in Canada, is what allows Americans to have the gun laws they have.
(those are some of the conservatives policies,
meetings with Alberta and Quebec, have been kept secret.)
Everything you seen on CPAC re Health Care, is a work for the conservatives, to find a plan for Canadians, they seem to have selected the french version.

So Belinda goes to Gibson's former campaign manager's house for her event, and Iggy goes to Gibson's actual house for his event.

And Gibson works for the Fraser Institute. Does this mean that the right-wing are trying to take over the party?