We're just a couple weeks away from the NDP's leadership vote and if it hadn't been for one "over-exuberant" campaign worker in the northern part of the province, many people in Saskatchewan may not have noticed.
The campaign has been lacklustre and the party has not taken advantage of the opportunity to spend several months really pushing the NDP and its general message into the faces of every Saskatchewanian.
But with just a couple weeks left until the June 6 vote, the party would be well-advised to kick it into top gear.
Like most leadership votes, this is one that has some interesting storylines and no clear ending.
Sure, it looks like Dwain Lingenfelter is the frontrunner, but the question is how much of a frontrunner.
Sometimes, these leadership votes go completely according to Hoyle, with the person most expected to win waltzing out of the vote with the crown.
The last time the federal NDP picked a leader, Toronto City Councillor Jack Layton was being anointed the chosen one. Despite a push by many against him, he won the title on the first ballot.
But for every Layton, Stephen Harper and Paul Martin - men who did the expected and won their respective parties' leadership - there are also a number of Stephane Dions, Ed Stelmachs, Dalton McGuintys and Joe Clarks.
To me, that's the real beauty of a leadership vote - the chance that someone people had dismissed before the voting even started as also-ran, can walk away with the crown.
In 1976, as the federal Progressive Conservatives went to pick Robert Stanfield's replacement, the general consensus among the so-called pundits, was that two-term Quebec MP Claude Wagner would become the party's next leader.
The main opposition seemed to be coming from someone who had not even run for MP before, a 36-year-old, prominent Quebec lawyer named Brian Mulroney.
In every leadership vote, an "anybody-but-the frontrunner" campaign gets some traction. In this case, Mulroney didn't benefit from the "anybody-but-Wagner" campaign. Instead that support went to another 36-year-old, lesser-known, by the name of Joe Clark, who became leader and, subsequently, prime minister.
This is a perfect example of a lesser-known candidate winning the leadership.
Getting back to next month's vote, the big question is: if there is an "anybody-but-Lingenfelter" vote, will it be strong enough to keep him from the crown and who will receive the bulk of its support?
Looking at the four candidates right now, the obvious choice for that support is Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Deb Higgins. Of the four candidates, she's the only sitting MLA. As a former cabinet minister, she also has the highest profile.
While Regina lawyer Yens Pedersen certainly has recognition within the NDP as a former party president, it's hard to say if that will translate into enough support for him.
The other candidate, Dr. Ryan Meili, is the least known of the four and will probably not be there at the end, if this goes to multiple ballots.
This is the second of at least three NDP leadership races in Canada this year (Ontario was the first and the Yukon's is still to come).
In Ontario in March, Andrea Horwath led on all three ballots to win.
Like Higgins, Horwath was the only woman on the ballot. However, Higgins is not expected to be leading after the first ballot. If the Moose Jaw MLA is to win, she'll likely have to do what Horwath's opponents could not do and overcome the first ballot leader.
If Lingenfelter doesn't win on the first ballot, there could be a chance for Higgins to ride that "anybody but Lingenfelter" support. For that to happen, she has to make sure Pedersen and Meili supporters think of her as the next best choice, not Lingenfelter.
Besides the question of who will win, however, the other question is how much will the party and the candidates make the province care in the weeks leading up to the vote?
Jason Small can be reached at 691-1255.
NDP leadership campaign nearing end if anyone notices
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- Published on May 21st, 2009
- Published on July 10th, 2009
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Jason Small
Times-Herald
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Comments
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 18:05:38
Meili has one MLA endorsement that is not a lie but the truth and something the Meili campaign seems unable to handle. Though Forbes does seem to represent those who are supporting Meili. Some great older members who are nice but do nothing to represent the youth change that an MLA like Cam Broten represents.
The Meili campaign has had their volunteers doing smears from the start but for some reason they have an issue dealing with the push back. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 18:00:48
Pablo did NOT claim that Meili had more MLA endorsemtns than Higgins. He said that Meili had more endorsements than Higgins. Comparing the published endorsements, what Pablo said is correct.
You really are in desperate need of some soothing ginger tea. -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:32:43
Crotchety, the first post was pure negativity from a Meili supporter so he received a negative response. You Meili supporters want to at Deb fine; but don't expect anybody to take the negative lies anymore.
Deb has received the endorsement of four MLAs both from Regina and Saskatoon. Both old and young. The only endorsement from Meili is an old white guy from Saskatoon. Not much sign of the youth campaign that Meili supposedly has. If you really think the general membership follow a blog then you are out to lunch. The general membership likely have never been on a blog nor care what a blog thinks.
Meili is so desperate for endorsements that he has to list his own advisers as being supporters.
Higgins has stayed on target in regards to individuals who are active in the party today, not individuals who were active in the 1970s. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:31:51
On endorsements.
The only endorsements Deb has publicized are from four other MLAs, one former MLA and one former MP. Ryan has the support of one current MLA, at least four former MLAs. Of the 11 people who have sought the leadership of the NDP since 1970, the three former leaders won't be endorsing anyone and three are no longer active in the party. Of the remaining five, three have endorsed Ryan and two have endorsed Link.
Not bad, I'd say. -
- Crotchety Curmudgeon
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:28:40
I believe in an NDP where all members are respected, not only MLAs.
I also believe that Andrew Thomson deserves our respect for his years of contribution to public life.
Deb clearly believes so too, since she made a big deal about Andrew's endorsement.
Pity this one Deb supporter believes that anyone who isn't an MLA doesn't count. -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:27:06
Higgins has more endorsements than Meili and is doing a wonderful job. Only a few weeks to go and it seems a couple of campaigns are realizing Deb is going to have a very strong showing and others will fall short
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:21:57
Meili has one MLA endorsing and thats a fact. Deb has MLAs who are both young and old and has half of the females in caucus supporting her. She has the President of the Womens Commision supporting her campaign.
She is from a rural riding and has cabinet experience. You do not become a cabinet minister without being extremly bright.
The author of the aritcle stated he felt that Deb was likely a front-runner. Pablo stated Ryan was leading in areas which were false. Deb has the mix of youth and experience that is needed to both renew the party and to form the next government. -
- Crotchety
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:19:29
The first post merely asserted that Meili was doing better than Higgins - hardly a negative attack on Higgins.
Higgins does lead Meili in MLA endorsements. No one has ever said otherwise.
But my NDP includes more than the 20 MLAs. Apparently yours does not. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:19:25
Deb has very many gifts - including her honesty. She does not make up alleged smears where none exist.
No one has any reliable information about who is first, second, third or fourth in the race. Pablo's assertion is every bit as valid as Jason Small's or yours. The fundraising data would tend to support Pablo, but is certainly not definitive.
To suggest that Meili may be ahead of Higgins is not a smear. It is certainly a debatable point, but to call it a smear is simply silly. I'm quite certain your candidate would say anything so silly.
Ryan has only one MLA endorsement. He has the endorsement of several former MLAs and Ministers, and to day picked up two very high profile endorsements from acknowleedged health policy experts, one of whom had been Saskatchewan's top civil servant.
This isn't the UK Tory Party where the caucus chooses the leader. MLA endorsements are not everything. -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:18:55
Excuse me! Why am I being called a liar? Is this how a campaign treats others? Meili's candidacy has attracted more endorsements, He said it in the third sentence. Quit calling people liars when nobody lied.
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- Pablo
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:18:13
Ashlee, you are a bit frustrating. Am I not writing clearly enough? I apologize. Deb's MLA backers are brave to defy the pressure to back the perceived frontrunner (Lingenfelter), not brave to back Deb. Quit twisting everything. She is a competent MLA and deserves some caucus support. That being said, receiving caucus support is not the be all-end all. If I were running, there would be a few NDP MLAs I would ask NOT to publically endorse me.
One other thing, it would be erroneous to assume all those chosen for Cabinet are extremely bright . I do not mean Deb, just be careful with general statements like that. -
- Pablo
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:15:43
Ashlee, it's cute but also naive (and a bit dangerous) how you lionize politicians so. Certainly some are very hard-working and intelligent. Getting elected by the people is difficult work. To say that all politicians (or NDP politcians, for that matter) are intelligent and hard-working, solely by the fact they that have been elected would be a bit too much. Like politicians, and people, everywhere, some NDP MLAs (such as Deb) are effective, diligent, and thoughtful. Others...not so much.
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:14:46
Pablo, you are way off on saying Meili has the most endorsements. Meili is in third place for endorsements. Though I am amazed at how low the Meili campaign continues to go in ignoring the Hale report or simply make up their own facts. The Hale report indicated that the Lingenfelter informed the party of the issues with the membership. Jae Ford according to the Sask NDP website is still recognized as the Youth President. Any removal because of an endorsement goes against the democratic rights an individual has in Canada. Pablo, if you are involved with the Meili campaign all I have seen is negative attacks at two leadership candidates. I am unsure why Meili talks about positive politics but then has his supporters lie and smear other candidates.
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- Crotchety Curmudgeon
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:13:19
Pablo said nothing about MLAs in his initial post, yet you attacked him personally and told lies about Ryan Meili.
Pablo's only comment about MLAs was to suggest that not all of them are equally strong.
You, on the other hand, have said that any person who is not an MLA is an irrelevance. You have dismissed prominent party people from Nettie Wiebe to Angie Merasty to Greg Marchildon. (In fairness, you are equally contemptuous of your own non-MLA endorsers.)
It isn't MLAs who decide who the next leader will be, it's members. If you really want to help your candiidate, stop treating non-MLAs with such whithering contempt. -
- Pablo
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:11:45
Ashlee, Crotchety is right in saying that my post was not meant as an attack on Deb. I have met her and think she is a nice lady. I am happy some of her colleagues are brave enough to defy the Link machine. The article above presented Meili as an also-ran. My point was that the journalist had a poor perception of reality. I am not trying to 'smear' Deb in any way. I guess we will see in a few weeks how strong the Meili campaign is. Maybe we can meet here after for the I told you so . Deal?
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- Crotchety Curmudgeon
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:08:20
I don't know that you have any room to talk about positive campaigning, Ashley, since your initial post was pure bunk.
Jae Ford was removed from office by the SYND. Whether he should have been or not is an interesting question. (I find it a trifle odd myself.) But that doesn't make it any less a fact.
No one has ever denied that the Lingenfelter campaign reported the membership issue. The Hale report (were you actually to read it, Ashley) says that the matter was reported independently by every campaign and by the Meadow Lake Constituency Association executive.
The only one making things up here, Ashley, is you. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:07:12
If the Ginger Tea doesn't do the trick, try this recipe for warm spiced milk (serves 2):
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tsp freshly chopped ginger
- 2 tsp crushed anise seeds
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tbs golden syrup
- 1 tbs granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 tbs butter
- cinnamon or ginger for garnish
- Warm milk, ginger, anise, cinnamon and extracts in a small sauceepan over medium heat taking care not to scald the milk.
- strain and stir in remaining ingredients
- pour out and serve - whipped cram may be added -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:06:45
I believe MLAs do represent members. You pick and choose who you respect. You ignore Pablo attacking hard working MLAs.
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:00:48
All our MLAs are brave no matter who they endorse. Lets not divide this party. Thats why Deb would be a great leader she is a uniter. She has earned caucus support and would unite the party if elected. Caucus support reflects the general membership and yes being a cabinet ministers means being extremely bright. I can't imagine a party member insulting our MLAs.
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- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:44:28
Deb is in third is an opinion, since nobody really knows. But one would have to be deluded to think it's a smear.
And MLA endorsements aren't the only ones that count. You keep saying Meili has only one endorsement. That is a lie.
If you want to lecture others about smears, I suggest you abandon the practice yourself, since virtually every smear on this thread has come from you. -
- Crotchety Curmudgeon
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:43:37
It isn't a personal attack to honestly point out when someone has been telling whoppers.
The first personal attack on here came from you. Indeed, every one of your contributions has been a personal attack, on other candidates, on other posters and on ordinary members of the party.
Both Pablo and I, by contrast, have been prepared to acknowledge your candidate's strengths. -
- Pablo
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:42:56
Mr. Small, which leadership race are you watching? Ryan Meili as an also-ran?! If you haven't noticed, Meili's candidacy has attracted more endorsements, more new members, more youth members, more energy, and more contributions (aside from Link's big oil buddy donations) than any of the other campaigns. Deb Higgins might be big in Moose Jaw but you should really leave the city limits before you write such a story.
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- Pablo
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:37:51
I may have been a slight bit off in my assessment of Meili having the most endorsements. Some are supporters but staying in the shadows (unfortunately).
Ashlee, you don''t get to count the 1,100 people Link signed up fraudulently as youth supporters (they were mostly signed up as youth to save the Lingenfelter campaign money). J Ford, who (for some reason) endorses Link is no longer president of SYND. He was asked to step down. He continues to use that title on Link's website even though the SYND has asked repeatedly to have it removed and even sent a letter to all SYND members saying so.
If you think Meili is practicing politics in the lowest manner and Link is taking the high road, you need to open your eyes. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:33:47
You repeatedly said that Meili has only one endorsement. That is false.
No one has ever denied that Meili has one MLA endorsement. Some of us believe there is more to the NDP than the 20 members of caucus. Apparently you believe other party members are irrelevant. I don't.
The only smears on this thread, Ashley, have come from you. And you are the one, it seems, who is rattled by pushback.
Stop your smear campaign, Ashley. You are not helping your candidate. -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:30:36
I don't count Thomson as an endorsement. I count MLAs who are able to campaign in their ridings for the candidate. I made that clear. Unlike some I don't believe in an NDP of smears of members or MLAs.
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:28:10
I told you so? You guys are really bloody arrogant. Debs MLAs are brave enough? Seriously? What are these childish attacks?
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:27:04
Crotchety, you attacked me personally. I said MLAs matter which they do. I defended them when Pablo attacked them. This is the attitude and reason you will be stuck drinking tea instead of celebrating a win on June 6.
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- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:18:48
Forgot to mention:
There are five progressive bloggers who've been following the NDP leadership race. To date, three have endorsed Meili. The other two have not indicated any intention to endorse a candidate. -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:13:13
No apology for calling me a liar even if Pablo did state it?
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:12:47
When Pablo makes certain statements about who is ahead in endorsements and it is incorrect it is a silly statement. As is calling cabinet ministers dumb. Deb has Andrew Thomson, Ron Fisher and the younger MLAs which are the future. Our members respect our MLAs and look to them for visions for this party.
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- Crotchety Curmudgeon
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:12:23
Ashley's post is most interesting for it's complete absence of either fact or fair comment. I guess Deb's campaign of entitlement is so short on steam her supporters are reduced to slanderous personal attacks.
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- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:11:58
Pablo, what you are saying is completely false. Lingenfelter and Higgins both have more endorsements from officials within the party. Your last few claims have no evidence to be backed up. It certainly seems the youth momentum is behind Lingenfelter with the endorsement of the President of the SYND, former SYND members and the youngest MLAs in the Legislature. The only MLA to endorse Meili was David Forbes who is from the same constituency as Meili. On the other hand, Higgins endorsements are widespread throught the province.
Meili is a non-factor. He stays in Saskatoon and does his thing and that is it. Higgins has been working hard across the province. The Meili campaign talk about doing politics differently but his supporters show a different side. A side that they are willing and going to do anything to win. Even if that means going around and making false statements or statements that cannot be supported with any evidence.
Meili is not about new politics but about doing politics in the lowest manner. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:07:04
Deb has more MLA endorsements than Meili does.
Meili has more endorsements from former Cabinet Ministers than Deb does (4 - 2), more endorsements from former leadership candidates (3 - 0), more endorsements from farm sector leaders (2 - 0) and more endorsements from top level policy experts (2 - 0).
Apparently none of those coiunts, though. The only people in the NDP who matter are current MLAs.
At least in Ashley's NDP. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:04:50
Ashley, please tell the truth. Pablo never claimed that Ryan Meili had more MLA endorsements than Deb Higgins.
Clearly the stress of the campaign is too much for you. You need a cup of soothing ginger tea.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 4 1/2 teaspoons cardamom pods, crushed
- 4 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 5 cups water
- 1 piece (6 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and sliced inch thick (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
Directions
- Toast cardamom and fennel in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 1 minute.
- Add water and ginger. Reduce heat, and simmer until it reaches the desired strength, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and stir in honey and mint leaves. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Strain into mugs. Garnish with mint.
Hope you feel better soon. -
- Crotchety Curmudgean
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:58:21
Misspoke myself. They are tied in endorsements from former ministers (4 - 4). I neglected to include Andrew Thomson and Warren McCall, solid and dependable politicians who have endorsed Deb Higgins - herself a solid and dependable politician.
That said, Andrew Thomson's endorsement does not count by Ashley's standard since he is no longer an MLA and hence irrelevant. -
- Ashley
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:55:21
It completely denied the hard work that the Higgins campaign had put into this leadership race. It denied the lead that Higgins had on the other leadership candidates.
The MLA endorsement is a sign of general membership support.
Based on endorsements, memberships sold and poll numbers; Higgins will be one of two candidates left on the last ballot.
