To be blunt, the Liberals proved in this January's election that they are absolutley unbeatable in Vancouver Centre no matter who the NDP and/or Tory candidates may be. Best wishes and good luck to Randall Garrison, as he is going to need lots of both.

It’s not really that much of a surprise that Garrison isn’t running against Martin again. If Garrison couldn’t win either time that he ran against the representative of an unpopular Liberal government, it’s unlikely that he could win now that Martin has the double advantage of being an opposition incumbent.

Also, Martin’s power base seems to have as much to do with his personality as with his party. He could probably get re-elected even if he switched to the Greens.

It is a bit of a surprise that Garrison would choose to run against Hedy Fry, though. She’s won easily time and time again – admittedly against lacklustre opponents for the most part, and Svend Robinson had his own liabilities when he challenged her last time.

Like Robinson, Garrison is gay, which can’t hurt him in Vancouver Centre, although it didn’t help the NDP candidate in 2000 or the Tory candidate in 2004. Unlike Robinson, Garrison is an outspoken defender of the Canadian military missions in Haiti and Afghanistan. That probably played well in the working-class naval-base riding of Esquimalt, but it might not play so well in urban Vancouver.

Like Troy DeSouza, Randall Garrison is one of the good guys of politics. He impressed me with his demeanor and professionalism in both of the previous elections. Apart from the (NDP) policies he promotes and socialism generally (which is completely contemptable), he's a stand up guy and conducts himself with integrety.

I wish him well in the future (short of winning office). The EJDF NDP will have their hands full trying to come up with a suitable replacement for the next election.

Ever wonder why a "stand-up guy" of integrity would stand up for socialism? Gee, wouldn't that make him contemptible too? And what does Gordo stand up for? If you want to talk about contemptible....

I am sure Randall is an educated moderate and I wish him well in my riding, but I doubt if he stands a chance. The Alberta reform party (oops, I meant to say the Conservatives) don't hold a lot of sway in what may be the most diverse, socially libertarian riding in the country. The NDP may split the vote with the Liberals in the West End (where many young gay people live), but they have little support in the affluent areas: Coal Habour, False Creek North and Downtown.

Hedy has been quite effective lately: voting against the Quebec Nation bill and supporting the Liberal dark horse winner Stephan Dion. She hasn't said anything stupid for a couple of years. My guess is she's a shoo-in for the next federal election.

I hold no party affiliation. I'm a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. (I think that fits the description of the vast majority of Canadians across ethnic, economic, cultural and language lines.) Unless something changes I will likely vote for Hedy in the next election. From what I have seen since the last election I think the Liberals will probably win a (minority) government in that same election.

My question is this: If the Liberals do win some kind of government in the next election, will that be the end of Stephen Harper's political career or will he stay on to fight again?

Andrew is right, Garrison is a very decent guy. While I doubt he can win Vancouver Centre, he's exactly the kind of person that should. His views are moderate, they are also well studied and thought out- not knee jerk like many political activists. In terms of his beliefs, he is a guy who has often lived them as well as felt them.

Hedy Fry will be a hard MP to beat because many people (and a couple considerably better known than Garrison) have already had a kick at the can, and while few people in the riding are totally thrilled by Hedy, I think most riding residents feel she has served them well.

All the best, Randall.

Does no one consider that Hedy Fry may step aside for future considerations? Does anyone know that Mr. Dion's very capable campaign manager lives in the riding - or that his wife is itching to get back into politics?

Garrison is a nice guy and a College professor to boot. Between them and lawyers there is a severe shortage of skills in Ottawa.

"Does no one consider that Hedy Fry may step aside for future considerations?"

Johnny, are you thinking abour Mark Marissen and Christy Clark by any chance? If that's being rumoured, perhaps Garrison thinks that makes the riding more winnable.

I would love to agree, but my reading of the re-election of Fry and Maynecourt proves that urban, non-union workers and gay voters are pretty much attached to the Liberal label, both federally and provincially. The candidate may add to that, as Fry has done with her riding association's assiduos connections to the gay community and the downtown bar scene, the self-styled Funcouverites.

But the basic thing is full-blown, hardcore Liberal self-identification on the part of the voters themselves, something Robinson discovered to his chagrin.

If Christy Clark runs in Vancouver Centre, what kind of the costume do you think she'll wear when she marches in the annual Pride parade?

"If Christy Clark runs in Vancouver Centre, what kind of the costume do you think she'll wear when she marches in the annual Pride parade?"

Khristy the Klown?

(green pointy hair, floppy red shoes, red nose)

and she says:

HEY! HEY! Hoo ah-ah-ah-ah-aah!

Gee, I was kind of hoping she'd wear leather teddy and a whip.