NDP sees Liberal-Green pact as helping NDP in Central Nova

Well at least the NDP is running a candidate. I thought perhaps they would stay out of the race as well and let the Greens win. There still seems to be some sentiment within the NDP for merging with the Liberals to unify the left against the Conservatives. Trouble is that there is not much difference between Liberals and Conservatives. We will end up with image politics and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum as in the US. Of course there will still be media stories about the great battles as if it made much difference. The reaction of the Democrats to the Iraq war issue is symptomatic. Listen to the people if necessary but it is always necessary to mislead them. How Americans can fiercely identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats boggles my mind. Here too Bob Rae is comfortably Liberal, Charest flops to the Liberals from the Conservatives and on and on.


NDP eyes Liberal-Green pact as springboard in Central Nova
Last Updated: Monday, April 16, 2007 | 9:19 AM AT
CBC News
The New Democrat who plans to run in Central Nova in the next federal election hopes to pick up support from any disgruntled Liberals put off by their party's pact with the Green party.

Louise Loriface, a retired teacher from Antigonish, was acclaimed at an NDP nomination meeting Sunday.

Central Nova is currently held by Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay. Green party Leader Elizabeth May also plans to run against him, and in an attempt to unseat MacKay, the federal Liberals agreed not to run a candidate.

This deal is a "sad development" for Central Nova, Loriface said.

"To take a Liberal party and loyal supporters who have financed that party for a long time, who have devoted their political emotions to a political party and then suddenly to have no candidate to vote for, I think that's really very disingenuous."

Loriface said federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion does not seem to understand loyalty in rural ridings, so his deal with the Greens could end up costing his party on voting day.



"I don't think the Liberals are sheep," she said. "They are independent people."

MacKay has held the northern Nova Scotia riding since 1997, first as a Progressive Conservative then as a Conservative following the party's merger with the Canadian Alliance.

But the NDP also has a history in the riding, said Loriface, noting the party finished within six percentage points of MacKay in the 2006 election.

"I think our chances are very, very good," she said.

Calling herself a "political animal," Loriface said she has experience with youth and has lived in the community for 38 years.

"This is my home and I think that will generate some interest," she said.

Loriface fears the race in Central Nova will focus on personalities, and she hopes issues are not swept aside in the media tide. Economic development is at the top of her issues list.