April Reign

Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

leadership

Howard Hampton: Soon to be former ONT NDP Leader

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hh_thumbnailTodays Star has a good article on Howard Hampton the soon to be former Ont. NDP leader. Hampton never did get the chance to shine, stifled as he was by the shadow of Bob Rae. A shadow which even a move by Rae to the Liberals has not lifted. Ironically Hampton and Rae were not allies during the Rae administration. The Neo-Con climate of profit and business before people was also not conducive to Hampton’s message of fighting poverty and social responsibility.

Hampton, according to the Star article, gets under McGuinty’s skin and that alone is endearing. Having campaigned originally on a message of change, McGuinty has done precious little to change the circumstances of the most vulnerable in the province.

I hope that the next NDP leader will take up the fight for social responsibility recognizing that a society is only as strong and as healthy as the weakest of its members.

Globe & Mail the Fox News of Canada?

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The Globe seems to be hanging farther to the right as the weeks go on.

Perfect example this morning with two stories of two leaders written in two very distinctive ways.

Tories surge on Harper’s leadership

Canadians in overwhelming numbers say Stephen Harper is the most decisive federal leader with the clearest vision of where he wants to lead the country, according to a poll that suggests the Conservatives may now have the winning conditions needed for a spring election.

Leader tested by splits in caucus on issue

Political analyst Robin Sears, a chief of staff to former Ontario NDP premier Bob Rae, said Mr. Dion has yet to make clear what his leadership style will be.

“There seems to be a pattern of staking out a hard position and then being forced to backtrack from it,” he said, listing Mr. Dion’s comments on Canada’s Afghanistan mission and his dual Canadian-French citizenship as examples. “Whether you’re a new leader or old, that ain’t a good idea.”

Interesting so in one camp they have managed to make hardline, stick to your guns leadership look inspiring and in the other insipid.

Makes you wonder if Bourque was underhanded or just honest.