Ignatieff?? I don't think so....

[ClusterFreak]

Liberal delegates want him ?

The Canadian people don't, that's for sure. On the whole, Ken Dryden - who probably couldn't get arrested on the convention floor even if he kicked a kitten through a fan during his speech the night before the vote - is the one Canadians want. At least according to some extensive polling done by The Gandalf Group. (I don't know where their loyalties lie, but I agree with what their polling concludes) The Canadian people aren't as stupid as the party-first delegates choosing the next Liberal leader. This is like 1984 and John Turner all over again. I was there, in Ottawa, at the Civic Centre, as a voting youth delegate. I was 18 years old and thought this whole thing was pretty cool. Trudeau's farewell address to his party, the pirhouette as he left the stage, the whole deal. I was there, and it was cool. It was history. And yet...so many people I met and talked to were hell-bent on voting for Turner. They all agreed he wasn't the brightest bulb in the bunch, but damn he looked the part didn't he? He could get the female vote, he was so good looking. People were actually saying that. And now history is poised to repeat itself. If Liberal party members pick this disingenuous, patrician snob...then they do so at their peril. Why do you think Harper's people are putting out the story that it is Ignatieff they fear the most? Because precisely the opposite is true. They are salivating at the prospect. Right out of the Rove playbook.

Anyway, if you have the time...click the link to this PDF file and see for yourself.

http://www.gandalfgroup.ca/downloads/Liberal_Leadership_The_Publics_Choice.pdf

[glarius]

1. I couldn't agree more with everything you say about Ignatieff!

I remember the 1984 deal you are talking about. I remember distinctly how insulted I was, as a woman, when I heard some reporter, (don't remember who it was now) say that it was thought one of the reasons for choosing John Turner was because his "good looks" would get a lot of female votes! How absolutely insulting to women. As if we are so stupid as to be influenced to vote for a handsome face!....

[daleo]

2. It's a tossup between Rae and Iggy, which one the Harperites prefer most

And the corporate media.

If Rae was selected, they would hammer away about his NDP provincial government's (alleged) failings 24 hours per day.

If it is Iggy, they will emphasize everything that would discourage left of centre liberals from voting for Iggy (i.e. to encourage splitting the centre-left vote).

Dion and Kennedy are the logical choices now. The fact that they are mostly ignored by the corporate press tells you those are the ones that the Conservatives don't want to see.

[CHIMO]

3. I Agree

With your assessment.

And it appears to me that Dryden and Hall would feel confident in that combination.

Brison and Volpe will probably jump to the leader.

Then comes the second vote.

Dion and Kennedy representatives will follow.

Rae voters will not.

Then we have the new comers and the rush for the non elected group to throw in their lot. Which will most likely be for a winner.

So if they want to win the next election then they have to pick a winner. Or, otherwise there are options such as the NDP and the Greens.

Dion would follow Kennedy if his issues and power to implement those issues are assured. Kennedy would probably fall behind Dion, but I must admit that I know nothing about his philosophy about implementing his ideas.

It certainly allows us an opportunity to bring up many issues to galvanize a platform.

An interesting two months to come.

[daleo]

4. I have read that Kennedy was a very effective minister in the Ontario govt

He could quickly get to the heart of a problem and inspire cooperation from different groups. So I think there is potential there for a very effective PM.

Dion also seemed to be one of the more effective ministers in the Martin govt.

I vaguely wonder if there might eventually be an Iggy-Rae axis vs an Anybody But Iggy-Rae movement. Iggy-Rae would have nearly 50%, so they might just combine forces if they can decide who gets to be top dog. But I don't think they would have quite enough support to pull it off.

The next few months will be interesting.

[ClusterFreak]

5. I can live with Dion...

...but Kennedy leaves me cold. I can't put my finger on it. According to the poll I referred to, Canadians would like Dryden to take it. The Liberal elite isn't listening. Pisses me off.

[daleo]

6. I would have been fine with Dryden too

I don't quite know why he didn't show better than 5%.

[canuckagainstBush]

7. Name recognition

The only reason Dryden comes up so high in those public opinion polls is because he has more name recognition among the general public than any of the other candidates. Name recognition among the general public has nothing to do with winning the party leadership. I really like Dryden, in fact I've seen him in person several times, he's very sincere but he just doesn't have leadership qualities that will inspire and captivate people.

I'll be attending the convention as a delegate for Gerard Kennedy. I support Gerard because he has a clear policy platform (Afghanistan review, National Education Policy, acclaimed immigration policy, among others), a flawless record as Education Minister and food bank director, and the communication skills to excite people and sell his policies. If Gerard becomes leader, there will finally a leader of a national party who is exciting, inspiring and has policy depth.