I've been involved in federal elections since the 1970s but never as the Candidate. That's why this one will be special.
I am running for the Liberal Party in Oshawa.
Since the opportunity first presented itself I have been overwhelmed by the support and guidance of the Riding Association. The team in Oshawa is committed and ready to go.
But of course this election is far more than just local issues and support.
It's about which side you're on.
It's about the economy and it's about trust.
Almost everyone I know is working longer hours, for less money, for less benefits and with less security. Yet we are told Canada is doing well. What I see is not an economy that is protecting working people. And that's what we need.
That leads to trust. The contempt of Parliament is complicated in some ways but at base it amounts to this -- a government that will say whatever it thinks will get it what it wants.
Which goes back to the economy. Can we believe what we're being told?
Which side are you on? We're here for the people and their daily life.
24 comments:
Maybe you should have a chat with your leader Michael Ignatieff as how to connect with people. Giving professorial lectures won't work.
Good luck.
LPC in Montreal.
Marc Garneau will be re-elected!
Good to know you are running.
If I can make a suggestion, last year Aug. 3, 2010 you had a posting about a certain Twitter account and some of the "interesting" accounts it was following.
Given some of the allegations against this government (eg Carson), I think that story from last year deserves more traction.
Is the name behind that Twitter account responsible for its content and the accounts it adds to its followers lists?
Why is Federal money being spent on an account that contains such material?
If the person behind the account isn't aware of it then he truly is "Out of touch".
Good luck in the campaign.
I'm on the side of Canada.
I despise it when politicians give me an ultimatum.
I would suggest that trust is not a Liberal strong suit. Their poor support in Quebec (outside of the island) and the West is residual evidence of that.
It is my view that the Libs are not ready to govern. They have not taken responsibility for their past decisions. Beyond the obvious scandal that probably brought the Libs. down in the first place they seem prepared to stick to topics such as daycare and healthcare.
Remember that universal daycare was promised nearly 20 years ago and after more than a decade of majority gov't, there was nothing in place. Healthcare was supposed to be "fixed for a generation" by the last Lib gov't even while recognizing that it was in crisis after 3 Lib majorities.
This election might not have happened except for the ridiculous funding formula. The election taking place gurarantees that the parties will get millions flowing which in turn makes it easier to go to the polls in a year or so should the politicians want to.
This will have to come to an end.
We need a majority gov't for a bunch of reasons. There is only one party that can deliver it.
Mr Morton
I commend you for taking on this onerous task, which I attribute to a genuine wish to be of service to the public.
Just one thing. Your brief statement, which I endorse, seems more suited to the NDP than to a self-described "blue liberal". Since the NDP are strong contenders in Oshawa, I forsee vote-splitting in the Tory's favour.
...the NDP are strong contenders in Oshawa
Assuming we're talking about Oshawa and not Whitby-Oshawa, it's Ed Broadbent's old riding. It's true that it went Liberal for a while with Ivan Grose but more recently it's been Colin Carrie of the CPC with the NDP running a strong second and the Liberal candidate waaaay back.
Congratulatins James!
You're intelligent, cultured and charming. *And* you're a papa bear. You already have my vote :)!
All the best!
Daria S.
Is Harper running legally or is he banned for running for 5 years after being found in contempt of parliament? http://presscore.ca/2011/?p=1980
James, I am not surprised somehow that you have accepted the nomination for MP Candidate - not sure about the Oshawa riding as I heard it was NDP. That being said, my riding was Liberal for 40 years +/- and was overwhelmed by the Conservatives the last 15 years or so. People need to connect to the "candidate" as well as the Party. Your approachability, sensitivity, gracious manner and self awareness should stand you in good stead for a win. BRAVO
Congratulations for taking an active part in our democracy. I respect anyone that puts their name on a ballot.
Having said that, I hope your political dreams are annihilated by a Conservative sweep.
If Liberals ever start showing respect for people that vote Conservative they may win my vote back some day. I supported them for a long time.
Good luck, but not too much.
Good luck and I hope you do well enough to win.
P.S. I'm on the side that supports the Canada I love and admire, the side that has the same dreams and aspirations as the Liberal Party of Canada!
I love coming across a candidates blog during an election -- in your case it was easy because you're on my sidebar -- and asking the question
If you are elected what will you do when the party whip comes along and tells you how you are going to vote on some piece of legislation before the House? What will you do if if s/he tells you you can't vote?
It speaks to the question of where your first loyalty may lay - is it with the party, or is it with the constituency that elected you?
Will you represent the will of the party, or will you represent what you personally consider to be in the best interests of your constituency - even if that comes into conflict with what the party is ordering you to do?
@anon
Would this be the same Marc Garneau that could not be elected in Vaudreuil so he had to run to a safe ridding?
Not much merit there....
This is wonderful news! You will be a fantastic MP. Looking forward to following your campaign!
- Kim
Best of luck. I have a lot of family in Oshawa.
You will be a big underdog in this one.
I think Layton has big hopes to unseat the Conservatives in Oshawa.
Its not a federal issue, but they pay very high property taxes in Oshawa.
It is unfortunate that none of the local Oshawa personalities accepted the nomination and they had to go outside the community for a candidate.
This is a conservative stronghold with little liberal organizational strengh. Sorry this is not going to be easy considering the liberal candidate in the previous elections were well known. Especially Louise sat on municipal council
James - Great news! It is a brave undertaking indeed, and I wish you the best.
I wish I could vote for you, or people like you, Mr. Morton, but I can't. One thoughtful, decent blue Liberal won't do much against the left wing of your party. All one has to do is compare this blog to the average of the Liblogs to see that you are a giant compared to those guys. If your party was more like you, not that I agree with everything you say, maybe the West wouldn't be a Liberal wasteland.
Mr. Morton - I enjoy your blog and have posted here on occasion. You appear to have an interest in finding the "right" solution, as opposed to the "ideological" solution - which puts you ahead of many in politics - however, the suggestion that "trust" is he basis of the Liberal campaign is, unfortuantely, an indication that you are drinking Ignatieff kool-aid.
I have not yet seen the contrition and acceptance one might have expected from the LPC in response to the grotesque theft of tax dollars by the LPC in the Adscam affair - and the actions of many in the party, specifically, Jean Chretien, to attemp to "shoot the messenger" as opposed to a complete and full mea culpa is distressing.
Best of luck, but, perhaps, move from the "trust" meme to something that is less likely to remind us of what the Liberal party elite do when you hand them the keys to the palace.
Go for it !
Go for it !
He's the 'Gil Grissom' candidate!
Mr. Morton, I wish you luck ansd believe in many ways you would make a fien MP. However, based on a few of your posts and some comments of mine to you I have reservations that you may have lived to sheltered a life, and in one instance on police brutality you clearly showed that you live in a 'bubble'. My biggest concern is that you have no understanding, maybe no compassion, for how people on the otherside of the tracks live and the battles they have to fight because of the misguided actions by people of your ilk.
I hope I am wrong because you have many good qualities that I admire and respect, but lacking in true understanding and empathy may be your downfall considering that is what is most urgently needed these days in Ottawa, especially after the last five years of the mean spiritedness of the HarperCONS.
With the above said, I still wish you well.
kudos!
Post a Comment