The race for the Liberal leadership is starting to take form as candidates declare their intention to run (Bob Rae, Dominic Leblanc), declare their intention not to run (Frank McKenna, John Manley), prepare to run (Michael Ignatieff), or openly talk about considering a run (Gerard Kennedy).
Of these candidates, the one I who think is best to lead the Liberals is Gerard Kennedy. To begin with, he is experienced in government as he was Ontario's Education Minister, and a successful one at that as he brought labour peace with the teachers' unions, something which eluded the earlier Conservative and NDP governments in that province.
Also, Kennedy is young and has a strong appeal among youth. Furthermore, with his background as a foodbank director, he has roots in the community working to help people. This kind of background is similar to Barack Obama's background as a community organizer. Furthermore, as Barack Obama supported Howard Dean's 50-state strategy, Gerard Kennedy has voiced his support for a 308 riding strategy which will be important as the Liberals desperately need to expand their electoral map. The Liberal Party has to be more than just the party of the Greater-Toronto-Area.
As well, Gerard Kennedy has a strong commitment to social justice issues and would be a great standard-bearer for a principled and progressive Liberal Party.
I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture.
-scott
thescottross
I posted this comment over at Scott's blog... I would want to give every potential leader a fair shot. You seem like a supporter. Can you - if you get a chance - post some videos of Gerard debating in Parliament, and also speaking French?
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Oh... it is a great picture. His youth and ideas appeal to me. Need to see "the rest". I'm keeping my options open so far. No hasty decisions...
ReplyDeleteOne should look at what actually got done when he was education minister than just the surface optics of that position. I am sure his competitors will also reveal that weakness, his Achilles heel.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if surface appeal is what you are looking for over substance, than Kennedy is your Obama - cough.
"surface appeal is what you are looking for over substance,"
ReplyDeleteJan you just described Jack Layton's secret recipe.
jan
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you ask Peggy Nash if Kennedy only has surface appeal?
Here's another link for a GK video
ReplyDeletehttp://speedstream.netro.ca/cscondfr/september/5-Gerard_Kennedy.wmv
if the link doesn't work it's live on my blog under some videos from Scott's youtube channel. In the video from GK's tenure as Ed Minister, you can get some idea of what kind of minister he was based on the comments that are being made about him:
"There's no aspiration deficit in our Minister, he's full value"
I don't need to look at a video of him, I just have memories as a trustee of him. Nice guy, good curbside appeal, hits all the right notes, but getting it done, well, didn't happen under his watch. Ask the next Minister of Ed. Kathleen, now there is someone who gets it done.
ReplyDeleteGerald was a lightweight.
Thank you folks for all these comments. It shows there is a lot of interest in the Liberal leadership race and that is very good.
ReplyDeleteAt this time I do not know much to fully endorse anyone of the four candidates or candidates to be. Amongst the four he sounds the best choice so far but between now and convention a lot will happen.
Not speaking French fluently is a draw back.
I will be blogging lot more on this issue in coming days. Keep checking.
"Gerald was a lightweight."
ReplyDeleteYou're a colossal lightweight, not to mention really bitter and robotic in your kneejerk reaction to anything with an L attached.
janfromthebruce,
ReplyDeleteyou wrote: "Nice guy, good curbside appeal, hits all the right notes, but getting it done, well, didn't happen under his watch. Ask the next Minister of Ed. Kathleen, now there is someone who gets it done. Gerald was a lightweight."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bXB97uYJ4
Can you please watch this youtube video, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne comes in at the 1:16 mark.
LeDaro,
The French has improved!!!
Jan,
ReplyDeleteThere are few who inspire such irrational hatred in me as you do. Your partisan bullsh^t is over the top.
It's hard to think of anyone else who raises the putrid factor as much as you.
You're a testament to the variability in human nature. You exist at the extreme ends of the bell curve. It is a testament and a credit to humanity that there are not many like you.
I'm beginning to lean towards Gerard at the moment. As you said, LeDaro, we have to watch & see what unfolds with every candidate & there are others that may surprise us & that we did not expect to declare.
ReplyDeleteHaving been a Dion supporter I'm still finding it hard to let go of him but there is no choice on that front.
I shall look forward to future comments from you on the upcoming race.