Everybody Loves Ray?
Layton hoping for Alberta 'breakthrough' with Ray Martin as a candidate
Ray Martin was one of the victims of the EDmonton tidal wave this spring, so he’s decided to give it a go federally with Jack’s team. I remember Edmonton East being one of the best Liberal/NDP ridings in Alberta from a demographic perspective, on a project I did for school last year. So I think 30% of the vote and a second place finish might be two achievable targets for Ray (even though he finished third with 17% in 2000 when he ran federally).
But an Alberta NDP breakthrough? Errr…no.
CALGARY — Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says he's thrilled that long-time Alberta New Democrat Ray Martin has agreed to seek the candidacy for the national party in the riding of Edmonton East.
Martin served as the Alberta NDP leader for eight years in the late 1980s to early 1990s. He then returned to provincial politics to represent an east-Edmonton riding for four years until he was defeated in March when the Conservatives roared back to power with 72 seats.
Layton says Martin is well respected and known as a man with a lot of integrity.
Federal New Democrats say they hope Martin will help launch "a breakthrough" for them in the province, where all federal seats are currently held by the Conservatives.
The NDP nomination meeting for Edmonton East is expected in September.
Ray Martin was one of the victims of the EDmonton tidal wave this spring, so he’s decided to give it a go federally with Jack’s team. I remember Edmonton East being one of the best Liberal/NDP ridings in Alberta from a demographic perspective, on a project I did for school last year. So I think 30% of the vote and a second place finish might be two achievable targets for Ray (even though he finished third with 17% in 2000 when he ran federally).
But an Alberta NDP breakthrough? Errr…no.
Labels: Edmonton East, Peter Goldring, Ray Martin
posted by calgarygrit at
5:07 p.m.
9 Comments:
I tend to agree. Martin's been around long enough that he will likely place a respectable second, but Goldring probably won't campaign any harder that he usually does (which may not be that much anyway). The ND's should focus on Edmonton-Strathcona if they are looking for a breakthrough.
By
daveberta, at 5:42 p.m.
Yeah, much as I like Ray, it's not going to happen this time. It would take not splitting the progressive vote, and the Liberals aren't going to run a paper candidate here, not on your life. Or even a crappy one--this is one of the ridings they want at least as much as the NDP does.
There could still be an NDP seat in Alberta, though, in Edmonton-Strathcona. (And a Liberal one in Edmonton Centre, maybe?)
By
Idealistic Pragmatist, at 5:48 p.m.
Fed NDP seat in Alberta, hahahaha
By
Unknown, at 5:58 p.m.
Nope, I think it`s doable for the NDP. The area is strong for the NDP provincially, and Martin is a name candidate.
Layton and the NDP now have two targets in Edmonton which means they can spend serious resources in the city - advertising, organizers and leader`s visits on a scale they haven`t done in Edmonton ever.
Ad to that Dion`s dismal performance and the task of them selling a carbon tax in oil country - it adds up to the modest possibility of NDP gains in the `chuck.
By
Anonymous, at 6:07 p.m.
Are we talking about Wrong Way Ray? The guy who as leader of the NDP in Alberta began his election campain in Montana? Are we talking about We Had A Minor Setback Ray? Who led his party into near oblivion by starting his campain in Montana? Are we talking about that Ray? He is a good NDP choice.....if you are a Conservative!
By
Anonymous, at 7:09 p.m.
"The ND's should focus on Edmonton-Strathcona if they are looking for a breakthrough."
Believe me, they are. I want to tell Jack to stop sending all those pamphlets and fliers, because the more he sends, the less likely I will vote for Linda Duncan (who said she chose the NDP because of the policy on the environment and rejected the Green Party because they are fiscal conservatives. Maybe she should tell Jack to stop with the pamphlets already).
I do think Duncan has a good chance at this seat. Most of us do not like Jaffer but he always works his way up the middle.
By
Gayle, at 1:38 a.m.
Sorry, but the position of "Martin" in the NDP caucus has been filled. As has the position of "Comartin".
By
MB, at 4:51 a.m.
The Liberals are running a strong candidate in Strathcona so, once again, Jaffer's going to get in with his 40-45%. The two parties should really work out a few non-agression pacts in Edmonton.
By
Anonymous, at 9:54 a.m.
I don't know how strong that candidate is, because I have never heard anything about him or her (though I think it is a "her", so perhaps I got some information down the line...).
People here do not want Jaffer, and the big debate between the NDP and the LPC every election is which candidate is going to unseat him. Last time Linda Duncan came second, so I expect here vote totals to increase next time.
That said, a non-aggression pact in the two ridings of Strathcona and Edmonton Centre would make a lot of sense, and pretty much guarantee two seats less for the CPC.
By
Gayle, at 11:59 a.m.
Post a Comment
<< Home