Early thoughts on the PCPO Leadership race
First off, I'd like to make it clear that I'm non-aligned thus far... I haven't done too much research on the potential candidates, so I'll wait and see how things go before I start saying too much.
I'm also hoping that the PCPO will open up the Leadership Convention to select bloggers, both Tories and Liberals for that matter, like the Federal party did in Winnipeg, and like the PCPO graciously did for me at the Policy Convention the other week. (my thanks again to the powers-that-be who made things happen on that front)
Thirdly, let me say this clearly, and right up front... Randy Hillier, take a pass on the race. Do not, DO NOT, throw your hat into the ring. The biggest problem with John Tory was that he was too far to one side of the Party to rally all the troops effectively. If Randy Hillier somehow gets the nod, we will have the exact same problem, just with the pendulum swinging too far the other direction.
Let me be even more clear... if Randy takes a run at the job, I will be doing everything in my power to ensure that he DOESN'T win. End of story, full stop. I will oppose Randy Hillier just as strongly, in fact even stronger, than I ever opposed John Tory's leadership.
Hey, why not even throw out a threat, just so there's no misunderstanding... if Randy gets the nod, I'm buying an Ontario Green Party membership, and working on their campaign in 2011.
(yes, I know 'Snoopy', "Never leave your Party"... well if Hillier wins, we're screwed for the next vote anyway... think of it more like a constructive and temporary seperation)
UPDATE: Folks, I took a look at the "Draft Randy" Facebook page, and I rest my case... you know who would just LOVE to see Randy win...
I'm also hoping that the PCPO will open up the Leadership Convention to select bloggers, both Tories and Liberals for that matter, like the Federal party did in Winnipeg, and like the PCPO graciously did for me at the Policy Convention the other week. (my thanks again to the powers-that-be who made things happen on that front)
Thirdly, let me say this clearly, and right up front... Randy Hillier, take a pass on the race. Do not, DO NOT, throw your hat into the ring. The biggest problem with John Tory was that he was too far to one side of the Party to rally all the troops effectively. If Randy Hillier somehow gets the nod, we will have the exact same problem, just with the pendulum swinging too far the other direction.
Let me be even more clear... if Randy takes a run at the job, I will be doing everything in my power to ensure that he DOESN'T win. End of story, full stop. I will oppose Randy Hillier just as strongly, in fact even stronger, than I ever opposed John Tory's leadership.
Hey, why not even throw out a threat, just so there's no misunderstanding... if Randy gets the nod, I'm buying an Ontario Green Party membership, and working on their campaign in 2011.
(yes, I know 'Snoopy', "Never leave your Party"... well if Hillier wins, we're screwed for the next vote anyway... think of it more like a constructive and temporary seperation)
UPDATE: Folks, I took a look at the "Draft Randy" Facebook page, and I rest my case... you know who would just LOVE to see Randy win...
Labels: election, PCPO Leadership '09, Queen's Park
posted by Christian Conservative @ 9:45 a.m.
17 Comments:
At Wed Mar 11, 10:32:00 a.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
I never understood this reaction to Hillier. Conservatives are willing to camapaign for a candidate slightly more to the left than they are, but as soon as someone goes at all to the right of them they get upset about it (they don't just oppose, actually get upset, as you seem to have here).
If Hillier was premier, he would just take the government to where you want it, but quicker. Any areas where he is further right than you will not be able to happen without being in government for many terms combined with a complete change in caucus (at least on fiscal issues).
If Hillier wins this race, I will campaign harder than I have ever campaigned before. He cares about the issues I care about - property rights and getting the government out of our lives.
At Wed Mar 11, 11:02:00 a.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
Months agao I had a conversation with Randy's riding president and laid out the scenario of the leadership convvention.
After the policy convention in Niagara Falls all the players are in plce going throught their designated roles.
Tim Hudak threw his support behind John Tory to win over the Red Tories/Toronto delegates.
Tim opposed a well orchestrated proposition to eleminate the youth wing that was proposed by Randy.
Randy will throw his hat into the ring knowing that he has the rural and hard right grassroots support, Tim also can count on these delegates but not in the number as Randy. (Green Belt anyone?)
Tim is on the same page as Randy on many ideals, Randy is well aware of Tim's ideology.
So do you think that the game is afoot with Tim and Randy elevating each other's profile.
Let us be rational as Tim is young and the son of retired teachers with more years of experience,Randy is posturing himself to a highe profile in the caucus.
At Wed Mar 11, 11:24:00 a.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
Anon@10:32, you're an idiot if you think he can win a General Election, even WITH the full support of party guys like me.
HE CAN'T WIN AN ELECTION... PERIOD, FULL STOP.
At Wed Mar 11, 11:32:00 a.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
"Party guys like me"
People who are thus described are our problem. Populists like Hillier bring commom sense to politics.
At Wed Mar 11, 11:44:00 a.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
Yes, and severed deer's heads are just "common sense" ways of making your point.
Guy's a nutjob... no way I'm EVER going to vote for him.
At Wed Mar 11, 01:10:00 p.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
I was anon at 10:32...
I never said he can win a general election, I said I like his policies. However, you are saying you'll leave to the Greens if he wins. That doesn't seem to be an issue with electability.
At Wed Mar 11, 01:17:00 p.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
"However, you are saying you'll leave to the Greens if he wins. That doesn't seem to be an issue with electability."
Nope, just my way of punishing the morons who would have supported him for Leader... because I live in a riding where a strong Green vote will cost them a seat.
At Wed Mar 11, 01:25:00 p.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
Cherniak also thought Dion would be a good leader. I am not going to be trusting his political instincts.
At Wed Mar 11, 01:29:00 p.m. EDT,
BillM said…
Gee, I left a comment here earlier and don't see it. Do you screen them out?
At Wed Mar 11, 01:29:00 p.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
CC,
You're a cool guy, but I have to say, you're being unusually harsh to the Hillier supporters.
I can't help but think that if other commenters used the same language about your preferred candidate (whoever you may eventually decide that to be) you wouldn't allow them as comments
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Wisniewski
At Wed Mar 11, 01:59:00 p.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
Hey BillM, try it again... I haven't filtered any comments, I didn't get any comments from your prior to your 1:29pm one!
At Wed Mar 11, 02:06:00 p.m. EDT,
Simeon (Sam) George Drakich said…
I find your comments calling Randy Hillier supporters "morons? when you espouse a Christian persona, extremely hypocritical.
At Wed Mar 11, 02:35:00 p.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
Let me clarify then... they're "political" morons, not general ones... better?
At Wed Mar 11, 02:36:00 p.m. EDT,
BillM said…
I don't know why you are so sure that Randy is so bad. I'm not interested in the politics of personality. It gave us Pierre Trudeau, Bob Rae, and lately John Tory. I want to see a plan for Ontario that addresses the future with education on conservative principles. We need a 'right to work' law in Ontario. We need to bring union power and influence into line with economic realities. We need to allow recall petitions against runaway judges. We need create competition in education and health care.
I will support any credible candidate willing to deal directly and firmly with these issues and others.
At Wed Mar 11, 03:07:00 p.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
I think therein lies the kernal of this debate.
Yes, politically, Randy Hillier is a tough sell to the electorate at large.
However, that's what I've always been leary about pragmatism. It's the compromising of ideals that comes very tough to me. How much of what I believe in am I willing to discard in order to see the rest of what I believe in come to fruition? That's a question anyone who's going to get into this bloodsport of ours has to ask themselves.
I would argue, if you disagree with Randy's stances on the issues, that's fine. Say so, and then I'm sure a spirited debate would follow as to the merits and drawbacks of those stances. I just think TOO much bearing is placed on electabilty when selecting a leader.
For what it's worth
Mike Wisniewski
At Thu Mar 12, 02:17:00 p.m. EDT,
Guelph First said…
The Conservative movement in Canada has members on the far left and far right, most of us are somewhere in the middle. Again for the hundredth time, agreeing on 180 of 200 policies make us all more alike then not, throwing away a party based on small differences is foolish.
Electability has serious significance. Staying in opposition for decades means that while you may not get your core values into practice, you may still get 80% of your policies/beliefs made into law. What’s wrong with that? Better some then none.
At Thu Mar 12, 02:58:00 p.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
okay, but what about the difference between ALL & SOME?
That's what the fringes are for. Getting the issues talked about that nobody in the mainstream has the balls to do.
At least the fringes talk about the issues and don't damage election signs over them.
Mike Wisniewski
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