My Rendez-vous with Martha Hall Findlay

This morning I met Liberal Leadership Candidate Martha Hall Findlay in a function hosted by the Lanark Frontenac - Lennox Addington Federal Liberal Association. Let me resume this rendezvous with one word: refreshing

A small group of Liberals were gathered around the table talking to one another civilly about the issues at hand for our party and our country. Other leadership candidates were mentionned, not in a hostile way; rather, in a respectful tone. Hall Findlay's views on many issues are bold, but on the other hand, there is a sense of realism as she knows that retail politics does not work. A person who comprehends the fragile nature of our federalism, and how important federal-provincial discussions are. A small note to make, on a simply linguistic note, was her consistent use of the first-person plural ["we", "us"] in reference to citizens in different provinces (i.e. Alberta, and Quebec), instead of in the third-person--- such a subtle usage breeds a culture of inclusiveness.

NOTICE TO ALL LIBERALS: Look earnestly at this candidate, as she seems to have the whole package. Young, bilingual, female, experienced, fresh --- what more can one ask for? This is the type of person we need to inspire the generational change that will hopefully eradicate cynicism in Canadian politics for years to come.

Some might say, "Well, Uncle J, she's not a serious contender". I say to those persons, "Why not?" Who determines who's serious or not? CTV, CBC, Globe and mail??? I don't think so...it is the rank and file members of the Liberal party who will have the final word.

So to those who have not yet decided whom they will support, I hope they will at least consider Martha Hall Findlay as a serious and capable Liberal leadership candidate.

Uncle J

Godfrey drops out of race!

John Godfrey, who I had a pleasure of meeting last year, dropped out of the Liberal leadership race today.

He is a funny guy, and he was very passionate about his cities and municipalities portfolio when he was a Minister of State. His "green" platform is quite similar to that of Dion's...do I see a potential endorsement shaping up???

I wish him the best of health. He would have been a formidable candidate, and I hope his ideas continue to spark debate.

Uncle J

My date with Scott Brison

I happened to meet Scott Brison yesterday at the Royal Oak in Ottawa. A jolly old fellow, if I might say so myself. I asked him a question on floor crossing, and how it causes cynicism, and how, given his 'previous experience', what his opinion on it was...Does he support the NDP floor-crossing bill? It was the last question he took, before being whisked away, and he went on a tirade saying: the NDP are only proposing the bill cause no one ever wants to cross to there party, and how MPs must have the right to change parties; how Kings-Hants, a Conservative riding since 1867, voted Liberal; how he would have been the "patron saint of hypocrisy" of he stayed with the Conservatives after he met with Harper and Harper told him same-sex marriage would be an election platform issue of the newly merged Conservative party; how he feels like an immigrant, as he wasn't "born into" the Liberal Party, but he "came into" it so he appreciates it that much more.

Very good speaker; I give him A for effort. But Uncle J is not easily fooled. I am wise beyond my years, and I know when someone's grandstanding, and yanking my chain. But don't make the mistake of underestimating Brison - I think he might be a serious contender. While he might not understand the principle of "subverting the will of the people" [refer to same name post below] , he almost wooed me. However, it took every grain in my body not to burst out laughing after his "patron saint of hyprocrisy" comment. Ah, those were good times. While he does not have my support, I admire Brison's attitude. For the record, I was probably one of the only people at the rendezvous who DID NOT sign his nomination papers when they were passed around.

We'll see how this guy turns out. I'm anxious to meet some of the other candidates.

Uncle J

Comments welcome

Stronach out of race!

Belinda Stronach officially announced that she will not participate in the Liberal Leadership Race. She said, "I think I'm less restricted as a member of Parliament to speak about renewal from the grassroots up." WOW. I don't know if I should really give my personal comments on her reasoning, as it might anger some. However, I know there are some devout Uncle J Book of Queries readers out there, so I must entice them...at least a wee little bit. One question: Isn't that what a leadership campaign is all about? Spreading your ideas of renewal, mobilizing the grassroots? To me, she would be in a good position to that as a leadership candidate. As for as I'm concerned, the reasons she gave were simply a pretext (i.e. lack of organization, lack of fluency in French, lack of well-developed platform). Kinda like when Bush went to Iraq, saying it was for weapons of mass destruction, when it really was for oil [Disclaimer: In no way do I think that Stronach is anything like Bush].

On the positive side, I think this is a good thing for Stronach: this will give her some time to develop some policy, and vision for this country, and come back at it the next time around. She's only 40, so she has a lot of time ahead of her. Why embarrass herself in a leadership campaign filled with intellectuals like Iggy and Dion? Not to say, she's not an intelligent; she was the CEO of the second largest auto parts company in the world...you can't be stupid to do that. However, as shown in her Conservative leadership bid, she's been caught in a sort of policy vaccuum. I challenge anyone to submit one new idea, policy that Belinda's brought forward since she's been in politics... i'm still thinking.

Long and short: I simply don't know if Stronach's move is good or bad for the Race -- it depends which perspective you take.

Comments welcome,

Uncle J