The Liberal party will turn to a Democratic heavyweight from south of the border to inspire the troops during their convention.
Liberals hope to learn from former presidential contender Howard Dean who changed the way U.S. parties finance campaigns in the run-up to the 2004 election with his grassroots, Internet-based appeal.
I love Howard Dean. My wife gave me a copy of Dean's book for Christmas. The DFA site was my favorite online haunt throughout his failed presidential bid. IMHO Dean is the best thing to happen to American politics in a generation. However, the key word is American politics, and I can't fathom for the life of me how the Liberal braintrust thinks Dean should be keynote speaker. What kind of a message does this send? There are no Canadians worthy of the designation?
Only in Canada, would we have the horrible optics of an American offering the keynote speech for a domestic leadership convention. This isn't a workshop, wherein Dean educates us on the lessons of the new politics. I suspect Dean was chosen because he is controversial, guarantees ample press and sends a message about direction. However, isn't it the the Liberal Party that consistently advocates subsidizing Canadian content to offset the neighboring elephant's influence. Canada's great party can't find any homegrown talent for the big show? Bad decision.
6 comments:
Hi Steve,
Rather interesting news.
I agree that the Liberal Party should look for Canadian talent and leadership instead of looking elsewhere, whether to the US or other places. I understand that the American and Canadian political parties have often provided some level of assistance among themselves, namely over the past 25 years. However, it remains vitally important to promote our own leadership and talent.
As for Howard Dean, I'm not sure if I share a glowing perception of the politician, but I cannot say that I hold a bad view. Rather, I'm remain fairly indifferent. Perhaps you wouldn't mind elaborating on why you like him.
"As for Howard Dean, I'm not sure if I share a glowing perception of the politician"
Go back and look at every controversy during the 2004 campaign, then ask yourself if Dean accurately analyzed the situation? The media killed Dean IMHO.
Maybe the point is he knows how to fund-raise from the grass and net roots. Seeing the latest fund-raising #'s, where the Liberals are woefully behind the Conservatives, who are getting a lot of their contributions from individuals, you might find picking Howard Dean was a prgamatic choice.
Considering he and his campaign were the first to figure out how to tap in to that, which the Libeals are obviously having trouble adjusting to now that corporative and union fund-raising have been gutted by the current fund-raising laws.
scott
Trippi has already spoke to Liberals on fundraising, and Dean freely admits it was his baby. I don't see a domestic convention as an appropriate forum for foreign opinion, nor do I see the value of making it a learning exercise in the new politics. Having said that, I would be first in line to meet the man :)
BTW- Looking forward to your posts from the convention. It will be nice to get some spinless blogging from the floor ;)
It should be interesting.. I'm not entirely sure what I'll be doing... perhaps some live blogging as you say.
This is certainly going to undermine Liberal objections the next time a Republican wackjob comes to counsel the Reformers.
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