Friday, March 03, 2006

Kennedy Heads East

I don't want people to think I'm obsessed with the guy or anything, but I do find it interesting that Ontario's Education Minister will be attending the Liberal Party of Canada's Nova Scotia convention this weekend...


If any readers happen to be at the convention, I'd be very curious to get a run-down of who was there, who said what, where the buzz was, and anything else you'd like to e-mail my way (either for posting on, or to satisfy my curiosity).


Update: Err...apparently Mike Duffy's report wasn't completely accurate and Gerard took a pass on Nova Scotia...

posted by calgarygrit at 6:34 p.m.

15 Comments:

  • It should be expected. Senator Terry Mercer, Senator for Northend Halifax, has been making the calls for Gerard.

    All those people who doubt Gerard can create a national team even if he is the last to start are underestimating his appeal and charisma.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:07 p.m.  

  • If he made a pass he will be well represented. And if a decision is made to run, he will visit Nova Scotia many times over with Senator Terry Mercer as his guide.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:25 p.m.  

  • I've had some familial responsibilities and hope to make it down tommorow for morning registration.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:43 p.m.  

  • I was there. Sat at Gerard's table actually. By the time they served the soup, I was so sick of listening to him blather on, I popped a few Valium and fell asleep with my face in my chowder. He didn't notice. Luckily, I had a straw in my mouth, and by the time I woke up, everyone had left, except some guy sweeping up and me and Kennedy. Kennedy was still talking, sitting there in the dark as I hailed a cab. Strange.

    By Blogger K-Dough, at 3:39 p.m.  

  • That's odd. I was at K-dough's table, no Kennedy there. Oh, I get it. K-Dough is dreaming again, wishing that his blabbering was important to someone. In the meantime, Kennedy runs for the leadership and wins. K-dough keeps blabbering and misses the convention altogether.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:56 p.m.  

  • Kennedy was a no-show in Halifax despite having agreed to go.. He also failed to send a representative to the all-important Party meeting at LPC HQ in Ottawa on Thursday. . Eddy Goldenberg was there for Rae and asked that people not be allowed on Magna's payroll the way Paul Martin put them on CSL's for his leadership campaign.

    But again, Kennedy was a no-show.. You'd think Mercer would know better.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:48 p.m.  

  • Mercer was at a funeral, otherwise he'd most likely have been with the rest of the caucus at the Federal AGM. That's fair enough in my books.

    Superficial insights forthcoming as soon as I recover.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:53 p.m.  

  • Grah, pay no mind to the brain troubles - should read "with the rest of the federal caucus for Nova Scotia at the AGM."

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:54 p.m.  

  • Anonymous (3:48pm),

    As Liberals, we can have some interesting discussions about the pros and cons of our potential leadership candidates, but trying to discredit candidates by spreading lies about them does not promote our party in a positive way.

    Kennedy did not make a committment to go to Halifax as he was preparing for the upcoming Ontario budget in his job as Education Minister of Ontario. Furthermore, Kennedy was not notified of the party meeting you are referring to. But don't worry, if Kennedy runs, his team will be at the next one.

    Why don't you try promoting your candidate by saying something impressive about him or her instead of taking cheap shots at Kennedy or other candidates? Your post only makes you sound a little desperate.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:05 p.m.  

  • Anonymous,

    Did Gerard tell you that he was coming?

    Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced yesterday that the Ontario budget will be released March 23. Gerard is Minister of one of the two largest ministries (other being Health) that combined make up more than half the provincial budget. Until he steps down (and it makes no sense to do it before March 18 when the Leadership rules are released), if he steps down, he is responsible for 2,000,000+ children.

    Two days ago, he tabled the "Student Performance Bill", see

    http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2006/03/02/c3380.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

    K-dough,

    Here is Gerard interviewed two days ago (he is neither boring or longwinded):

    http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060302/education_ont_060302/20060302/?site_codename=toronto

    Please reconsider your comments.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:11 p.m.  

  • Whatever Peter.

    Anyone with any brains would be backing Mitsou for the leadership. She's hot, speaks French and is the only possible way we can unite the country.

    Just think, Bye Bye Mon Cowboy could be the anti-Harper campaign theme!

    Vive le Mitsou!!!!!

    K-Dough's Canada

    By Blogger K-Dough, at 10:53 a.m.  

  • I did a brief post on my experiences on Saturday at the AGM at my blog. Apologies for the self-plug.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:42 p.m.  

  • James,

    You mean Iggy plug don't you? (no spite intended)

    What was Carolyn doing? Did you get a chance to talk to her?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:02 p.m.  

  • Please replace James with Jason in above comment. Sorry. Long day...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:04 p.m.  

  • MP:

    None taken; I figure the more up-front about one's preferences one is, the more people know they're reading honest opinions and not disingenuous spin. I would point out though, that I've not hyped anything. It was a kickass time for MI and his guys and they were really happy about it.

    CB was there friday night and I heard a positive review from a Young Liberal; but I came Saturday morning starting with the provincial business meeting and federal panel, and by that time she'd gone. The notables and hopefuls trickled in over the course of the meeting and panel, and were pretty much all holding court when things broke up for brunch.

    I was asking people about Ignatieff, Kennedy and Dion (my top 3) when I did get into (usually kind of cursory) discussion with NS Liberal people I sorta knew from a nomination meeting in the winter. I only heard good things, although one person insisted Dion wasn't seriously exploring a bid which I'm pretty sure he still is on some level.

    It was unfortunate that Sen. Mercer wasn't there, (funeral was what I heard) but folks were familiar with his views and someone of that stature will doubtless be an asset for GK.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:21 a.m.  

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