NDP Leader Speaks At Duke -Does He Sound Like A Strong Leader?

Well I read the speech and I thought it was great, here is another link to a short statement he makes about, Mulroney and Martin, also sounds good....
http://action.web.ca/home/ndpnpd/en_ale ... f3e8c3a3b1

I read the speech as well, and I thought it was great! What parts did you
not like Perturbed?

I think Jack is a leader. Maybe not a very strong leader, but he is a leader. Give him time to grow. At least give him some credit for being the only party who at least shows opposition (For Canadians) to the star wars. Without him and his many times infront of cameras speaking against this, it probably would have went much closer to happening by now. Canadians who are against this star wars, would have no voice. I\'m glad his there.

Again his a leader who just needs time to grow. In time he can be a very strong leader.

Take Care,

Kevin Gagnon

Oh and I have to say that speech I thought he did a great job. I wish I could attend live events with Jack speaking. Its hard when you live in the North and you rarely see any party leader come to visit.

Unfortunately Belinda Stronach is coming to Timmins. I wish it was a open party. This way I can attend and ask her the tough questions where she would stutter when she is faced with political questions she isn\'t ready for. Get her enough times infront of a camera without Mulroney/Harris speeches in her head, you see her for who she really is. A puppet without the operators.

Kevin Gagnon

Hi anonymous. What part of the speech did I not like? -most of it. Perhaps my standards ar too high, but what this country needs is a David Orchard with more backbone and charisma. Layton is the best mainstream thing out there, which is the entire problem.

Layton talks about multilateralism, then he says:

\"The truth is, we do depend on each other, we do need each other, and we should use that fact to create an economic model that creates jobs on both sides of the border.\"

That\'s poppycock. They need US to lead their waseteful lives. We DON\'T need their pesticide-filled oranges.

I realize this speech was in the US, but what was he doing there, anyway? There may be a good Canadian studies program there, but I\'m guessing they don\'t teach history any better than that idiot Michael Bliss at U of T. North Carolina is not exactly very knowledgeable about Canada.

Layton talks as if we\'re both very similar, equal buddies who have a few friendly disagreements, like a couple of school yard buddies. Fiddlesticks. The U.S. is a less-successful imitation of the British Empire, and may have individuals who think like us, but in general is VERY different. Layton is merely being diplomatic, but he has a wussy-backbone, and just bugs me. His idea of \"Backbone\" is underwhelming, but will still probably at least get him a balance-of-power in a minority government.

Canada has a history of resistance to U.S. imperialism. We\'re not good friends. If we didn\'t live next to each other, we\'d never talk.

There are more inaccuracies in his speech than I mentioned, but I don\'t have the patience to read the speech again. I just think that if this is Layton now, he\'ll get even softer during the election.

Remember how passionate the Liberals always seem before they get elected? Layton is less forceful than that. He has nothing to lose, he\'s got to go all-out.

Perturbed,

There is one thing you may be forgeting. Even if your perception and opinion of Jack Layton has some truth. A fact is the majority of NDP elected in their area, and those who are seeking nominations are more left then the amount of \"lefts\" you will find in the liberal party or the conservative party today.

Again even if what you say has some truths. The members within the NDP party would eat Jack Layton alive. Maybe my perception of NDP has to do with my local NDP who I know is left/center. He spoke allot in parliament about FTA and NAFTA. If I remember clearly enough, many NDP members spoke against it.

Take Care,

Kevin Gagnon
www.kevingagnon.ca

I know, I know. I\'ll take my medicine when I have to on this one. I\'ll probably vote NDP. I\'m just perturbed.

Sorry, Jack Layton doesn\'t come across as a strong leader.

I\'ve already made up my mind to vote NDP in the next election, but I have no faith in Jack.

He\'s simply better than the alternative(s).

It\'s like writing a multiple-choice exam: eliminate the wrong answers and what\'s left must be correct.

It\'s almost like cheating, eh ?????





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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

I`m not big on layton, as i`ve said many times before! Everything he says is half-hearted. I`m not convinced he`s the leader canada needs.I think he can be pressured to cave in to the corporate demands and US pressure as well.

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Dave Ruston

The speech wasn\'t that bad. In his position he does have to use some diplomacy and tact. My first choice for the NDP leader would have been Bill Blaike.
So far I don\'t have a NDP candidate for my riding. I\'ll have to email them and ask if they plan on running one here. Maybe I should run. I\'d be up against a Concervative candidate.

4Canada, that should be a sure win! No competition,but do you need $$$$ to run? That has always been a question on my mind, is it enough to be dedicated to the country,be honest and forthright, I mean can a person like that get elected or do you have to have $$$ behind you?? Yes and one word of caution, you have to stop referring to the rest as having lego like, anus shaped lips...else people will be afraid! Although you may get more votes, tough question, ha ha

I liked Joe Comartin for NDP leader. I thought he said all the things i wanted to hear. He strongly proclaimed the need for Canada to protect it`s sovereignty as well. But unfortunately, he did not win the last NDP leadership.

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Dave Ruston

Jack did well in the speech, but I\'ve noticed in this and other posts some people seem confused about what Jack Layton stands for on Nafta and free trade. Here are the basics so far as I can tell. Jack has five demands for the Americans, including scaping the part that says we have to share our engery with the US, and if those demand aren\'t met, then Nafta gets scraped. The Americans, even under a democrat, will never agree, giving Jack the excuse to toss the treaty. This leaves Jack looking reasonable while still achiving the end result of tossing Nafta. It also makes it harder to peg Jack as an extermist, without Jack having to sell out. Canada gets out of the treaty and the president of the United States is left holding the bag. Jack looks moderate something Canadians like, while the results are much farther left. It\'s like Jack\'s economic policy, pocket protector. It makes Jack look more moderate, but really it just fills in the holes in NDP policy. Illusions are everything in politics, as in life, whether you like it or not. Most Canadians are too comfortable with the status quo to vote for anyone who APPEARS to be too radical.