tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761538946854485154.post7744907144496028133..comments2024-03-11T03:02:29.875-06:00Comments on Simple Massing Priest: NDP Leadership RankingsMalcolm+http://www.blogger.com/profile/08469936715413110334noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761538946854485154.post-38805475381564732802012-01-25T20:33:43.917-06:002012-01-25T20:33:43.917-06:00I like your analysis; as a French-speaking Canadia...I like your analysis; as a French-speaking Canadian, I'll add a few comments:<br /><br />– Knowledge of French:<br />Nathan Cullen has a substandard, yet better knowledge of French than Paul Dewar. A most remarkable element is that Mr. Cullen lives out west, away from French exposure, while Paul Dewar is in Ottawa. Martin Singh pleasantly surprised me. The fully bilinguals are Thomas Mulcair, Romeo Saganash and Brian Topp. The "almost there" are Niki Ashton and Peggy Nash (their French is definitely better than Chrétien's English).<br /><br />- Value of candidates<br />I have the same reservations you have with regard to Brian Topp: he seems as cold as a fridge! His ideas might be good, but will he be able to sell them?<br />Romeo Saganash seems the one who is the most capable, but he is soporific. He will be able to engage one on one, but won't move crowds or TV. He reminds me very much of the late Claude Ryan who was a great leader (great for his party's programme), but he brought the Québec Liberals to a resounding defeat. Saganash would make a highly regarded top minister.<br />Niki Ashton is a refreshing presence. Great woman, great qualities, and from her visit in Outremont when Thomas Mulcair was fighting his first election, I can say she is a great worker. Is she ready? Will the party follow her? I am not sure this time, but I can tell you that in 10-15 years (i.e. next leader), she will be a great Prime Minister.Michel Gagnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994851035215722466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761538946854485154.post-63397336706808620082012-01-20T16:21:20.214-06:002012-01-20T16:21:20.214-06:00Brian, Niki has already proven she can stand up to...Brian, Niki has already proven she can stand up to HarperCon attacks. Did you pay any attention to the CWB issue?the regina momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450243661848540975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761538946854485154.post-21233882182736377562012-01-18T11:19:24.659-06:002012-01-18T11:19:24.659-06:00Fantastic analysisFantastic analysisSeener Beanerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15556544454784059314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761538946854485154.post-90513550771791880032012-01-18T11:19:07.897-06:002012-01-18T11:19:07.897-06:00fantastic analysisfantastic analysisSeener Beanerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15556544454784059314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2761538946854485154.post-56857424601408322492012-01-18T10:50:46.339-06:002012-01-18T10:50:46.339-06:00Good strategy, Malcolm. Bet many of the people who...Good strategy, Malcolm. Bet many of the people who read this won't know that you and Noah are on Nicki's team and have been from the start. I agree that she is a very qualified candidate, but I want to see and hear all of the candidates in person before I make my choice. <br /><br />My main question to all of the candidates will be "How do you plan to counter the smear campaign which will be mounted against you immediately after you win?"<br /><br />So far, the only candidate who has provided an answer to me is Topp. <br /><br />No matter what policies we espouse, if we allow our leader to be beaten up by Harper without an immediate and vigorous response, we will get whipped.<br /><br />Remember, in the last fed campaign, Harper wanted to decimate the Liberals, and we helped him do that by winning official opposition. This time, the NDP will be the hunted, by both Harper and the Liberals, and if we just lay there and take it, the outcome is pretty predictable.Brian Sklarnoreply@blogger.com