The only way Dion would be able to fulfill his dream is to go appointing of candidates.

That would take the federal Liberals back to their old tricks.

Having poor quality female candidates looks good
for affirmative action, but does it really mean
the deliverance of good representation?

Good representation doesn't depend on gender.

It depends on the person, herself or himself.

Only an idiot would vote for a candidate on the basis of gender.

There's been good girl politicians and bad girl
politicians.

Good girl example politcians would be Carole Taylor, Libby Davies, Grace McCarthy, Deb Gray.

Bad girl example politicians would be Jenny Kwan, Flora McDonald, Hedy Fry, Belinda Stronach.

Now to be fair:

Good boy politicians would be Gordon Campbell, Bill Bennett, Jack Layton, Jean Chretien.

Bad boy politicians would be Bill VanderZalm, Paul Martin, Dave Barrett, Pierre Trudeau.

"Good / bad" as in the quality of the politician.

But that assessment is only one voter's opinion.

But what id Dion's "affirmative action" bumps off
a guy who could do alot more for the riding than the favoured girl candidate?

I commend Dion for drawing a focus to the importance of increasing the representation of women in House of Commons.

There is an abundance of well qualified, thoughtful women candidates out there for all parties and it is nice to see a person in Dion's position actually encouraging them.

Besides, we have suffered with poor quality male candidates long enough.

Obviously, brave Stephane made the plug before Mark got to him.....

Any "quota" proclamation is nonsense. You go out and seek good women candidates to make sure you can deliver that third. The other part of Dion's ridiculousness is: what if he found more than three quarters of his candidates were all qualified women? Would he object? Of course not. But it's a new week and he has to prove two things, once again:

1) He has to say something idiotic every week.

2) Without Mark Marissen, he's nothing but an over-rated flip-flop artist, who's poltical makeover would require MArissen-like talents to deliver.

By the way Sean, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, and my countryman Tommy Lee called to say 'thanks' for the plug.

I agree with "can't see the forest..." - we surely have suffered from a plethora of very disappointing boy candidates for long enough........

As was pointed out, there is no need for"quotas" and every time the issue of women candidates comes up - or as some of you refer to as "girls", the "q" word raises it's ugly head.

The boys involved in our local political party associations should stop circling the wagons and move over so that women can be seen in positions other than as the "secretary".

'The only way Dion would be able to fulfill his dream is to go appointing of candidates.'

That says it all - grow up Seymour!

A "bad girl" and proud of it!

The Crue are Greek?

As vital as they may be to the furtherance of equality in Canadian society, I will lay gender debates aside for a moment in the name of a common good: if the success of the Liberal Party of Canada depends on "Marrisen-like talents", I grieve deeply for the future of this country. I would humbly posit that without Marrisen, Mr. Dion is not a "an over-rated flip-slop artist", but rather something more akin to what those of us who have witness Mr. Marrisen's suspect methods would describe as a "credible contributor to the Canadian political forum". But do pardon my naiveity.

Mark Marissen is to Alex Tsukamis what Lucas Rossi is to Tommy Lee.

"Mark Marissen is to Alex Tsukamis what Lucas Rossi is to Tommy Lee."

Meaning each one is self-important and each is
trying to be *the* most important person that
everyone should read?

Get real.

Mark and Alex have one thing in common.

They want power.

No matter which way you look at it, Marrison doesn't run the party he just thinks he does. Now his pawn Jamie Elmherst is no longer president the ridings may actually run the province, as it should be, although I'm sure he will keep his sticky fingers in the pie along with his buddy sheila orr, the dream team.

In order of appearance.....

Heaney, T-Bone's mother was Voula Papadimitriou (Miss Greece 1957), who married a Welsh Army Sgt. Tommy was born Thomas Lee Bass. He identified with his mother growing up and credits her with inspiring his artist talents. In life, he is nothing like what you see on the tube or on stage. My family knows his family well.

That aside.....

I am sorry that it is inconceivable, or unfathomable, for some of you to accept that Mark Marrisen is one of the best political organizers in this country--period. I have been very critical of Mark in the past, where I felt appropriate, and, certainly, he was of me--and in one case it was absolutely appropriate--he was right. Stephane Dion would not have been worth pissing on if he were on fire if it wasn't for Mark. He set the pace, he carried the day. In a straight across battle, Iggy would have "remained" the victor and the Tories would have a skate to a majority. I know many Grits who don't like Mark's aggressive nature. Well, maybe some of you should think about that if you end up with a minority government next time. It'll be principally, if it happens, because of Marissen (and Bruce Young, and others).

But in the grand scheme of political back and forth, that's the way it goes.

Red Bull should change his name to All Bull. Mark has all the power he probably needs or wants, and I am not someone who needs any more power in my life than I already have. Power to change and power to forgive, if you have those, you have it all.

"I am not someone who needs any more power in my life than I already have."

So why come across as being one who thinks he knows everything there is to know about politics
and one who is one of those who are pasted with
these idiotic "go to guy" labels?

You seem to be incessantly slagging Sam, yet you
were on the NPA board. Sam has made errors, as
has your hero Gordon Campbell, but you seem to be
slagging Sam more than Campbell.

You seem to come across as someone who is *the*
political person.

You're critical of Sam's management technique yet
it is comparable to that of Gordon Campbell, yet
we have yet to see any critique of Gordon Campbell from Alex. Waiting for a political goodie?

There's a bit arrogance shared between you and Mark as well.

Maybe a little time out in the field would do you good.

or are you too "important" for a little 50 household canvassing, Alex?

No one is important enough to pass up going out
canvassing 50 houses. The campaign manager, senior team, everyone should do a round of houses.

Hell I'd even get those idiot people on the Provincial team to come out and do some real work rather than sitting in a cheap squeaky chair desking out a schedule just to try and look like they're busy.

But I guess they are too busy to get some real excerise and work off those Cheezies and Cokes
in the Policy Office downtown.

All Bull,

I have been a 'go to' guy my whole life, personally and professionally. It's part of my make-up, but, you'll be pleased to know, you suffer more than you sail. And if people love you or hate you, or think one way or another, I could give a rat's ass. Part of my charm.

Slagging Sam's failing mayoralty has not been a peach. But when you promise to people with double mortgages and car payments and kids in daycare or businesses on Main that are barely hanging on, you deliver. You don't hide. You don't bullshit. You don't cocoon yourself with raving philosphes and uber pretentious incompetents and repackage previously tanked policy and release it as a magic pill on a Friday afternoon to a frustrated media and perplexed electorate. Comparing Sam to Gordon is akin to comparing Daffy Duck to Walt Disney. Like him or hate him, and I'm friends with other Premiers from both parties, Gordon, with rare moments of weakness, has been an excellent Premier. And I didn't do "political goodies" when could of used one or two, I certainly don't need them now.

Canvassing? Me? I've canvassed more voters, banged in more lawn signs and manned more phone banks than you've had hot meals. I sound like I know a thing or three because I've been around pal.

Oh, and if Marissen and I share a little arrogance...GOOD. It's part of the performance. Look around my friend. Can't survive in this racket without some. A little dab'll do ya.

Looks like Alex is really over confident, folks.

Obviously over qualified in politics.

A "go to guy" sure, but one look at this guy's attitude would most certainly mean "let's find someone else".

Obviously over greased in arrogance.

Who would want someone like him on a volunteer based campaign? From this we see that he's not
exactly a people person.

No wonder the NPA doesn't want him around.

Who would want a guy like him? There are others
out there to choose from who have just the same amount of political experience but are far less
arrogant.

Nice to see the anti-Tsakumis group out in full force. Lots of people like me value Alex's opinions. Lots of us.We also like his arrogance/he is right it is charming. Alex is arrogant but not egotistical. He makes people feel confident. His advice is always good and very helpful.

I know from personal experience that Alex is at the top of many NPA members redials. His direction always welcome from people who understand.

Alex is also someone who looks at issues from many different angles most of us do not think about. People get jealous about him just like they are jealous of Mark Marrisen. My goodness, for young men they have accomplished more than other men who are twenty years older. I know many people who wanted Alex involved next campaign and he turned them all down.

He's not the only sharp pencil in the drawer.

Quite a few people have completed over 30 campaigns with many wins at all levels including
being a campaign manager.

Including me. Been around too. One campaign I
canvassed 30 entire polls. Has Alex done that?
Not likely.

There's nothing to be jealous of with Alex.

Just another power boy who figures he's the absolute best in the business, but he isn't.
There's are others who have worked more campaigns
than he has at the same level, and don't have
his trademark arrogance.

As for looking at angles, anyone who has 5 years
in campaigning can easily do that.

But if you want him, take him. We'll find someone better soon enough.

Alex feeds on self-importance and power. Others
get involved because they want to serve and help.

Big difference.

Take your pick.

But take him. He's yours to cherish, keep and use in good health.

Getting back to the original subject. What makes the Liberals think running more female candidates will get them more support from female voters? When a person goes into the voting booth, is the gender of the candidate really such an overriding factor?

Is Stéphane Dion a flip-flopper?
If enough Canadians believe he is, Dion stands to lose the next election. That's what happened to John Kerry in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. The Republicans tarred him as a chronic flip-flopper, and the label stuck.
George W. Bush can thank pollster Frank Luntz in part for bringing down Kerry, and Stephen Harper has turned to Luntz for advice on how to win his election. Time for some Kerry treatment on Dion.
Harper has changed his mind more than a few times. Think of his about-faces on Kyoto and taxing investment trusts. But few in the media are calling him on it.
CanWest picks up the beat
Aping the role of Fox News as the main cheerleader for the Bush administration, the Asper family's right-wing bully pulpit, the National Post, led the campaign against Dion. One editorial attacked Bill C-257. Liberal support for this bill, the Post hectored, "would mark another colossal flip flop of the Stéphane Dion has become famous for."
A week later, Post columnist Don Martin assessed that Dion had a "lousy week." Why? "Not once or twice, but three times in four days we saw Mr. Dion flip-flop." The column was apparently considered vital reading for all Canadians, since it was reprinted in the Montreal Gazette, Vancouver Sun and Ottawa Citizen.