| Subject: An important point |
Author:
Mike Redmond
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 18:27:51 03/14/03 Fri
Author Host/IP: NoHost/209.17.158.14
In reply to:
Michael Watkins
's message, "Re: Margo.... 'shockingly' uninformed" on 18:11:33 03/14/03 Fri
That is an excellent point to remind people of, Mike. In fact, the party has taken steps to avoid many of the percieved abuses of the old delegate selection process. There are no winner take all meetings, unless a candidate really deserves it, no appointing and backfilling of delegate positions, no phantom organizations. The election of our delegates to this convention will be as fair as it ever has been, and the results will reflect our current party membership.
But there are also those who have served our party in other roles, as candidates, riding presidents, members of National Council, who have, as well, been elected by the members, outside of the hothouse of a leadership campaign, and those who served and continue to serve us in other roles, former members of parliament, senators etc.
We should remember that this is not a game, or simply a contest as to who can gain the most votes. It is a process of choosing the best man to lead our party into the next election and into the future. Yes, the partisan gamesmanship of delegate selection meetings is important. But so is listening to the opinions and experience of those who have worked in the party and served it well for decades in many cases.
One of the drawbacks of any system of choosing delegates is that party members who have worked long and hard for the party and who would make a valuable contribution to the selection decision often do not become delegates, whether because of the cost, or because they happen to back the wrong candidate in their riding. Our current process tries to minimize that, but there are still many who have contributed much to the party who will not be able to attend. That is a shame, but a necessary compromise of the convention process.It would be a greater shame if we did not avail ourselves of the other expertise and experience in our party.
We should look on the contribution of the automatic delegates, particularly those who have served in legislatures in Ottawa or the provinces as a valuable addition to the decision-making process we will undertake in Toronto in May.
I hope all the delegates, directly elected or otherwise will take a step back from overt partisanship and use the convention experience as a chance to gain from each other's opinions. Those who have served the party for decades and those who are recent members may both find they have something to learn.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 