DECISION 2005!

[ageofscience]

So last night I did my duty as a good New Democrat and went to vote in the Ottawa-Centre candidate nomination. Until about 7:45pm, this was me. A thousand points to anyone who gets the brilliantly nerdy reason I chose this particular image of me. There is a clue beside Jamey Heath's head.

Comments

[nowliexinit]

Efficacy = primacy, all the time, every time. Thankfully some of the time the collaborative way is the most efficient, then again, a lot of time it sure ain't.

There's a reason, after all, that realism has lasted for eleventy-two billion years. For politician's themselves the lesson is perhaps the most serious. No matter what you've done for your community in the past, everybody forgets as soon as you stop doing anything for them now. While the point might get lost in the relative unimportance and simplicty of municipal politics, I for one can't wait to see what happens 10 years post presidency for Bush Jr. $5 says he won't even be able to bump his way to the front of the line at the Olive Garden.

[ageofscience]

I hadn't considered it as much as a realist/idealist dilemma, but you have a point. In realist terms I can definitely see the benefits of having a media savvy, high profile, policy-oriented candidate. But I guess I feel like that shouldn't be the point of elected politics and I resent having to "stoop" to that level because I think we should be able to figure out a better and more positive way to do things

[nowliexinit]

As far as being case specific, the NDP need media savvy, high profile candidates right now - well, they also need a coherent and...existent...economic platform as well, but anyways, I think their biggest battle is just getting elected.

[ageofscience]

But, given that we still don't have PR or MMP, does that really apply? The high profile thing doesn't always work out. Look at Monia Mazigh last year! I volunteered on her campaign and when I would go talk to people in the riding, all I heard back was horrible, disgusting, vile, racist stuff. Her celebrity didn't matter, people only cared that she didn't "look" like she spoke English and had no ties to that area of Ottawa.

High profile candidates definitely help raise national totals, but they definitely can't always eek out an individual win, especially with a party like the NDP under FPTP. I kind of feel that unless someone has the community ties and community respect to back it up, their high profileness doesn't really matter.

And who says they don't have an economic platform? Hello the budget!

[smallestbones]

Can I just be totally shallow and superficial for a second (since I don't know anything about either candidate in Ottawa Centre) and say that this Paul Dewar fellow just looks nicer? There's something about Heath's death stare that rubs me the wrong way.

I love the fanny pack you made and those fabrics are so pretty! They must be so handy for bike rides. I wish I had my own sewing machine!!

[aolianharp]

I've worked with Jamey and can say with certainty that he's really awesome and a funny, warm guy. I'm pretty disappointed he didn't win.

[ageofscience]

This is totally not related to anything, but how old is Jamey anyway? People keep referring to him as "young and energetic". I'm confused becuase he looks ancient!

[aolianharp]

just over 30, i think. not sure. i know he was student body president when rolf was at carleton and rolf's 29

[aolianharp]

Jamey would have been a much better candidate. : (

There goes that riding.

[aolianharp]

oops, sorry, that came off more jerk-ish than i intended.

[ageofscience]

YEAH WHATEVER JEFF! NDP BATTLE ROYALE! SEE YOU IN THE SAW COURTYARD TOMORROW!

But seriously, what's wrong with Paul? He's such a nice dude. He helped me lock up my bike. He walked a blind man across the street! He has done great things for the community. He won't be seen as a "partisan hack" in a riding that isn't usually especially NDP friendly. There are plusses and minuses to each candidate. Jamey is so "strong centralized government, blah blah" that it's gross. And admittedly that's 90% of what I voted on.

Plus I just think it's awesome that Paul was able to come from behind with such a low budg. campaign and triumph over the efficient capitalist machine!

[aolianharp]

Jamey's nice! i hope i'm wrong but i just think Paul is waayyyyy too inexperienced to beat Mahoney, whereas Jamey is a huge part, behind the scenes, of why the party is enjoying its current success, and has experience with the media. I can see how his commitment to party lines could be a turn off but it's the kind of thing that wins seats.

Was Paul's campagin low budget? I thought he'd had a bunch of posters made that were super expensive but maybe I misheard.

i'm totally biased, i like Jamey a lot and obviously know him from where I work. also, having a gay MP in ottawa-centre would be awesome.

anyway, we'll see what happens in a few month, i guess!

[alhooter]

Is that devil's food cake?

[ageofscience]

Nope (it's wacky cake!) and the cake has nothing to do with the nerd thing. But that was such a good guess!

[alhooter]

hmm ok then i have no idea.

You should start a small business and sell your fanny packs!

[ageofscience]

Selling is for capitalists! I like doing trades and giving things as gifts!

I'll give you a hint about the picture. It has to do with jameyheath.ca.

[vivelafemme]

The hearts!
Pam, I will offer you some monies for one! They're so cute!!

[ageofscience]

Guh, I feel so conflicted about accepting monies for things! But if you would rather do money than a trade, I have an idea. What if I make you one, and in exchange you can give me some $$$ to pass along to my camp as a donation? They're having a craft auction next month so I'm thinking about making some things for that, and maybe this could be an extension of my crafting for a cause?

[vivelafemme]

Yeah! That's a really good idea!

[ageofscience]

Ok good! I will make you a heart one. Wait, will you be at Xiu Xiu? I already have one half made that I could probably finish up and bring for you tonight. No promises, but I could try!