The Liberal Party needs a woman like a fish needs a bicycle
Make no mistake about it, folks - the Liberal Party is deeply committed to supporting and fostering the involvement of women in Canadian politics. Just so long as they're not Martha Hall Findlay!
The Liberal Party, which trips over itself to talk about plans and ideas to get women into politics, doesn't even give a terrific candidate like Martha a measly 2% of delegates - even that is too much to ask. The party talks a great game about being for women, but which parties have had a female leader? The Conservatives have - and given us a female Prime Minister (not even counting Joe Clark!) over a decade ago. The NDP has given us two - two! - female leaders. The Greens have been around for less time than the iPod, and even they've got a female leader. The party which claims the Conservatives have a hidden agenda against women has never had one - and they've just passed over the chance to let a good woman come close.
Martha Hall Findlay is honest, focused, hard-working, bilingual, and accomplished. She looks like a Prime Minister and is a worthy contender. If this candidate cannot make it to the second ballot, then the Liberals are today no more evolved than the Conservatives were in 1976 - three full decades ago.
This is a great opportunity for Liberals to demonstrate to Canadians how committed they are to supporting women in federal politics. Should Martha win? No. Should she be doing better than Volpe and Brison and Dryden are? Yes - she should. I really would love to see the Liberal Party give her a decent showing this December!
The Liberal Party, which trips over itself to talk about plans and ideas to get women into politics, doesn't even give a terrific candidate like Martha a measly 2% of delegates - even that is too much to ask. The party talks a great game about being for women, but which parties have had a female leader? The Conservatives have - and given us a female Prime Minister (not even counting Joe Clark!) over a decade ago. The NDP has given us two - two! - female leaders. The Greens have been around for less time than the iPod, and even they've got a female leader. The party which claims the Conservatives have a hidden agenda against women has never had one - and they've just passed over the chance to let a good woman come close.
Martha Hall Findlay is honest, focused, hard-working, bilingual, and accomplished. She looks like a Prime Minister and is a worthy contender. If this candidate cannot make it to the second ballot, then the Liberals are today no more evolved than the Conservatives were in 1976 - three full decades ago.
This is a great opportunity for Liberals to demonstrate to Canadians how committed they are to supporting women in federal politics. Should Martha win? No. Should she be doing better than Volpe and Brison and Dryden are? Yes - she should. I really would love to see the Liberal Party give her a decent showing this December!
posted by Jacques Beau Vert at 7:02 AM
19 Comments:
Jason, I love Martha, even organized a few events for her. I'm disappointed that she is below a guy like Volpe, but keep in mind that Volpe has been in Parliament for 18 years, targets the ethnic vote, has tons of money behind him, and has ruthless organizers like Jimmy K. I'm disappointed she's behind in, but I'm not shocked either.
I think Martha did very well at the DSM's considering the draw back of very few people ever hearing about her before. She's done a pretty good job in my estimation.
Hi Zac,
I think she's done a good job, you bet. I think Liberals have largely ignored her.
I know she is not running to win, and she *has* accomplished her goals. But again - if she doesn't make it to second ballot, then there's a big problem, I think.
BTW Zac, kudos for your organizing efforts for Martha. Good for you.
Jason, I love Martha'legs... she's going to be a real asskicker in years to come.
Seems unfair she hasn't won a seat yet.
Where's she going to run?
I agree, I don't think she's ready for leadership, but she definately should have done better than Dryden, Brison and Volpe. Especially Volpe.
Its sad really. Still, I'm hoping for a Tory woman to step up after Harper is gone. Ambrose is not it in my opinion, so its back to square one on that count too.
Jason, her organization is small so I helped bring her to Hamilton. I have some good friends, life long Liberals who stood as delegates for her as well. She has my respect thats for sure. Plus, she is one of the nicest, and I mean nicest people around. I got a chance to meet her at the convention in May and I was very impressed. A few of my friends signed up for her campaign that very night. I don't think that its possible to get a full understanding of her from public appearences and debates. Meeting her in person is much more beneficial.
Even with that said, I don't think she'll make it to the second ballot. In fact its statistically impossible because delegates are bound to vote for their candidate on the first ballot (the ballots are already marked for you), which basically means if you have the least amount of delegates, your going out first.
Keep an eye on her though, she's primed for next time in my mind.
petroom,
she's said she will run in Toronto in an available riding. She was looking at Parkdale Highpark to contest Peggy Nash, but it depends on what Rae wants to do basically because he already lives there and the last thing we need is another Lib on Lib bloodfest of a nomination meeting. Plus if he's leader its up to him anyways. I heard he may run in London and Kennedy's running in The Pas so it could be open for her.
Either way, she's going in or around Toronto because she works in the city.
Great post Jason.
Like Zac, I love Martha, I think she's extremely impressive. I actually wanted to put a support Martha banner on my site, but she doesn't have one on her website. I mean, I don't agree with alot of her positions, but I think she's very bright and reasonable, which places her head and shoulders above many of the candidates.
Yea, I don't get why the Liberals haven't supported her at all. Maybe because she's a newby. But I do find it a tad embarrassing for a party to rail on about how we need more women in politics, and then have no one vote for a perfectly good one.
I don't think she'll make it to the second ballot. In fact its statistically impossible
If that's the case, then colour me grossed out. And if it's so, then the Liberals are today where the Conservatives were in 1976. That's really, really sorry as sights go.
Another good reason for a one-member-one-vote system Jason.
Which Belinda Stonach argued against during the Tory leadership campaign.
And now she appears to be arguing for it.
Jason, clearly I have to expand my blogging visits. I too, was a supporter of MHF in my Newmarket riding, but unlike Zac, I largely failed her in the end when I resigned from my job and became embroiled in my start-up business. (I know, excuses excuses.)
I feel that my indignity at her poor showing is projected indignity at myself for not walking the walk. I completely agree with the premise of your post, but I also think we needed more people like Zac to make it happen...it's that simple.
Well, since it's projected inevitable that she can't make it to second ballot (which just makes me want to give up on politics), all I can say is I hope she wins a seat next election and can one day, in a future government, be given a prominent and serious Cabinet post to increase her credibility.
Actually, I think it speaks very well that you'd even project indignation -- way too few Liberals are bothered at all about her. So kudos to you, man.
If Liberals are too busy to pay attention to Martha, send her over to the CPC... she's got brains, she's got insight, and she is most definately destined to be a political force to be reckoned with in the years to come... If the Liberal Party elite are too stupid or chauvenistic to see that, then send her our way... I'd rather have her in the party than against it.
The ol' Keep your friends close, and your enemies cloer" thing.
That and the fact that I believe Canada would be well served by Martha... if the Liberals would give her a chance.
I don't know Joe Calgary...
I don't really even know what her policies are so I'm trusting that you've taken a look at them. There has got to be a good meshing of policies and ideas. As well, being smart doesn't necessarily grant you entrance into the CPC. It takes ruthlessness and a drive to succeed. But that's the way things are in China. (CPC - Communist Party of China) =P
Oh, you mean the Conservative Party of Canada? Well... I am not sure if MHF would be a good choice for Harper to seduce her into crossing the aisle. I mean, I'm not even sure how he seduced his wife...
If the CPC will give her the recognition she's lacking in now - more power to them and to her.
Thanks for the kind words leatherhands.
I'm a student, so I had a waaaaay more time on my hands in the summer when I should have. Don't feel down about not being able to help as much as you'd like. She has good people, like Quinto Maggi, behind her. I think she's done great. In fact, from the first time she popped up on CPAC to announce many people looked past her, which I dont think was unexpected. She was relatively unknown then and now she's a household name amongst Libeal members. Mission accomplished.
She's going to win a seat next time around and if the Libs form a government, she'll be in the front row. I think she'd make an excellent justice minister.
Joe...she's our's. Hands off. If you want to cherry pick, take Tom Wappal.
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