Who is Carol James, indeed? She, and really the entire party, should have been out on the trail pushing the new NDP for the past 8 months. Now the bogus Liberals are handing out 'good deeds' left, right and centre and foolish voters will likely be persuaded by this all. On top of all of this the provincial NDP has been invisible for the past year. How do they expect to win votes when nobody knows the names of their candidates. Sure, the NDP was nearly decimated in the last election (by idiot voters who voted only out of anger for past 'scandals'), but, they had a chance to rally supporters for three years and have failed to do so. Unfortunately, the question "Who is Carol James?", will be asked too many times on election day and the NDP will, again, be on the verge of nothingness.

Sorry about the Gremlin. Carole was elected chair of the Greater Victoria School Board for 10 years. She always worked to foster cooperation of teachers, trustees, parents and the general public for the good of students.

Sorry about the Gremlin. Carole was elected chair of the Greater Victoria School Board for 10 years. She always worked to foster cooperation of teachers, trustees, parents and the general public for the good of students.

Just like any other Party - wait till a couple of months before Election to hear the Party platform. Can guarantee with Carole at the helm, it wont be anything like those broken Promises in that Liberal New Era in 90 Days, in 2001. They simply lied to get elected, didnt they ?

Could it be she exemplifies the 'Peter Principle'?

I've been a business owner and manager in BC since 1957, never a union member, or ran a union shop. I find it funny, when the propagandists for big business call union officers "union bosses", but always "business leaders". Who elected Jimmy Pattison ? As an employer for many years, my guys used to shout for me with "Hey Ed!", or "Hey boss!", but never "Hey leader!". Come to think of it, if either of them had called me "leader", I would have called for an ambulance with a straight jacket. It is very interesting to note that in this world of neoclassical economics, serving the feeding frenzy of big business, while destituting and killing millions every year, it is perfectly allright to complain about "big labour", but never about "big business" or about the multitude of business associations, Boards of Trade, conglomerates, oligopolies, Bilderbergers, Trilaterals, World Economic Forum, WTO,IMF,WB, etc. etc. secretive, bigand control political Parties, like the BC Liberals, federal Liberals and Conservatives, twisting the arms of governments for more and more privileges, less taxes, no responsibiliies, making "big labour" look like chickenfeed in comparison. The problem is, the NDP never could explain themselves, never had any decent communications systems, the politicians never could talk to the media comprehensively and are deadly scared to bring and open up the obvious crimes, fearing the charge of "unfriendly to business" which, today,is a worse, than preaching the necessity and beauties of mass murder and genocide. Stealing people blind for corporate profits is perfectly OK and legal, but demanding full time jobs at living wages sends neoclassical economists and their bosses into convulsions. Ed Deak, Big Lake, BC.

Well, it's not really Carole James' style to point out to the public just who the BC Liberals really are. And I kind of agree with going the positive route for the upcoming campaign. That said, I am amazed at the silence around Gary Collins' choice to run his ministry office, David Basi. We have all heard about his unethical ways of influencing nomination meetings and privatization sales. Then we all heard that he was a drug dealer. Now I've been told that his case will be heard AFTER the May election. We can only speculate as to how the CanWest spinners would cover this story had this shady guy been appointed by an NDP cabinet minister. Let's face it: the story would STILL be front-page news, battling for top spot with an arrest that took place in a holiday resort with some NDP premier completely hammered while driving a vehicle. But because these serious stories of drunk driving, drug-running, and slimy privatization deals were made by a party committed to helping BIG BUSINESS, the CanWest lackies continue to do their unique form of, for lack of a better word, journalism.

I hate to be the one that points out the obvious, but unfortunately in today's attention span deprived society good looks, charisma and style are what sell and Carole has neither. Throw in the statistical disadvantages of being female and married to a native and that counts as 5 strikes.

Carole James is a nobody in Vancouver, but why should we be surprised? Sadly, the NDP appears to have no concept how to market itself. It is treated with courtesy by the media, who solicit the quasi-official opposition's viewpoint about whatever new perverse machination is coming out from the Libs. But this is merely the media seeking coverage. There is no intrinsic value coming out from them. I vote NDP to get sex from my lefty wife, but other voters need real persuasion. The NDP has a reputation of being whiny, pathetic, and incompetent. Therefore, they need to show competence, value, relevance, and superior governmental vision, and pronto. HOW???? To get away from the idea that all they need to do is yak (working families, the environment, corporate...resource... zzzzzzz). Start making some USEFUL PRODUCTS. You've got a website, which maybe 3 people look at in a week. PUT SOMETHING ON IT. Free tools, killer apps for person and business use. Entertaining and lively commentary. Help and encouragement for the common man/womyn. Forums and suggestions that tackle provincial issues. Do something, not just blab, and you'll get respect. Cuz right now all you have are your partisans (and their husbands).

It doesn't matter who Carole James is. The fact of the matter remains that the NDP continues to be run by the unions - just look at who is supporting the campaign. And this wouldn't be all bad except that those union leaders are promoting their own interests over those of the general public, including the small business people who are the back bone of our economy. BC can't afford another NDP term. Let the BC Liberals finish what they started and get our economy back in order so that all British Columbians benefit.

PETER PRINCIPLE - YOU BET - AND SO EASILY SPOTTED.! SOMETHNG ELSE THAT IS EASILY SPOTTED IS THAT THE UNION BOSSES NEED SOMEONE WIMPY AND OBEDIENT AS A SPOKESPERSON - OTHERWISE THEY WOULDN'T GET ANY VOTES.

So all British Columbian's benefitted when the BC Liberals introduced legislation that allowed unlimited numbers of special needs children into classrooms with no support? That was the price of a tax-cut that was aimed at the wealthy. If the NDP is in the hands of the big unions, then the BC Liberals are puppets to big business CEOs whoes children all attend expensive private schools. The rhetoric works both ways.

I'm all over that. Sure seems like labour unions are always puttig up kind and gentle spokespersons with mild messages and nice things to say about everybody (hope my sarcasm's coming through here), yep that's the jack munroe and ken georgetti i remember alright. And those tax cuts that shut down my hospital, my social services office, my community school and replaced them with liberal ads on tv telling me our new 6 buck training wage doesn't suck...that sure worked for me too. maybe james is trying to convince us we need to sit down and govern for people instead of interests, replace rhetoric with reason. and maybe that's not what image sellers thrive on. but maybe we will.

My suggestion for the BC NDP is to look at the federal Green Party platform from the last election and see what ideas there can be reconciled to and adapted to fit the NDP philosophy. Perhaps my ideas are a bit too "policy-wonkish" for modern TV-dominated personality and sound-bite politics, but what the heck, here they are: I think trying to find practical new policies that advance the objectives of a society of "caring communities", environmental sustainability, true entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance, and a knowledge-based economy, without either (a) using extravagant threatening language against alleged "fat cats" (b) trying to bribe interest groups that feel deprived with offers of vast (and ultimately financially unsustainable) handouts, might just do the job for them. If they want to talk about greed, I would suggest minimizing the rhetoric about the super-rich and mega-corporations, and talk about material greed as something everyone is prone too, but that has to be brought under control (particularly by those most privileged and most-addicted) if we are to ever have a caring and sustainable society. I would also advise against relying to heavily on envy as a motive. I suspect envy, like greed, ultimately undermines real social solidarity. To sum up, leave the negativity to the BC Liberals.

why did the NDP not win in the last election,could it be that the unions donations dropped considerably? Seems to me the Unions should stick to unionizing ,say Walmart? Ms. James needs money to advance an advertised image on the big/little screen such as Achive B.C., o that is not partisan i know. Do all those whom vote not count if your side does not get in? I guess with first past the post that is what matters. Someone said the only poll that counts is the one on election day.

Talk of union control of the NDP is nothing but rhetoric. Union money makes up a far smaller percentage of the NDP war chest as compared to business donations to the Libs. Its one of those "say it over and over till people believe it" lines.

Until the Green party gets elected somewhere I wouldn't take their advice, people don't seem to want to buy what they're selling.

Michelle from Kelowna, could you please elaborate a bit on who those union leaders are and what their own special interests, you speak of, are? Please, not silly empty statements like you made above, but statements with at least one varifiable fact attached to it. Having trouble getting beyond the ranting? I'd recommend you contact Maria, who SCREEMED pretty much the same blather just after you did.

the ndp could have peewee herman for a leader and they would still get my vote. the prime objective is to rid the province of gordo and his band of heartless thugs.

if carole james continues with her soft sell and pro-business talk of including everyone i will be voting green! I am tired of social democrats who claim they can manage capitalism better than the bosses' party. No wonder so many union workers vote for the liberals. Because the electoral left does not offer real alternatives that give people hope of a better life. Nail these pro-biz liberals to the wall for stealing from the poor, cheating on election promises, and paying off their friends by selling our services to their biz-buddies. If the NDP does not stand up and fight and decides to play cute, i will be taking my vote elsewhere. For example, can the NDP take a loud vocal stand against fish farms? instead of fearing the loss of 8,000 employee votes on the coast and the resulting bad press of van sun and howe street biz class. Fight for what is right and people will give respect with a vote.

Michele from Kelowna - Why not just hyperventilate about bingogate, fast ferries, and the other NDP 'atrocities', because frankly, you don't get where the NDP is at. The NDP might be recruiting more small business people than labour leaders to run as candidates.Any idea who Jagrup Brar or Gregor Robertson are? As for labour leaders promoting their own interests, I guess you would have to be a Canwest-devouring sock puppet to be appalled that the likes of Barry O'Neil and George Heyman have been selfishly promoting such selfish interests as medicare and public education. "Let the BC Liberals finish the job and get our economy back in order" What do you mean by "our" economy: the one that belongs to the PEOPLE of British Columbia, or the MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS the Liberals have been trying to sell us to?

When Carole was first elected leader of the NDP, I was less than thrilled, but I now realize that she is capable and confident and I'm glad to see the NDP running a strong woman. I agree with those who said the NDP needs to run a positive campaign, because another thing the polls have shown is that the majority of the NDP's support is coming from people who hate the Liberals but don't really think the NDP can do a good job. I happen to disagree. I think the NDP has solid policy that will help all people of British Columbia, not just unionists. For example, I applaud the NDP for their opposition to the Safe Streets Act. Last time I checked, CUPE wasn't covering squeegee kids. Further, the NDP is making solid committments in regards to freezing tuition and re-opening Women's Centres. I look forward to the time after the election next May when, hopefully, they'll get to implement that policy.

Michele from Kelowna, money raised by unions for the last election in 2000 was 5% of the total...most was raised by average working-class BC citizens who pitched in $50 or $100 ...now can you provide the amount of $ raised for the Liberals by BC's top corporations like anything Jimmy Pattison owns? The point is if you want to criticize that the NDP is "owned & operated" by unions, you must also criticize that the Liberals are "owned & operated" by big business....hmmm the scale balances in favour of a few multimillionaires or thousands of workers with families who spin off the economy just by purchasing everyday commodities? I know where I would put my vote!

Carole James came to the Kootenays in August and attended an NDP BBQ in Castlegar and spoke to over 150 people. She toured Grand Forks and met with individuals and community groups to learn about their concerns. Will Gordon Campbell ever travel here? She is well spoken, confident, sincere and an ordinary person. As a woman candidate she has to prove herself 100 times more than men, just because of her gender. Before she became the Leader of the BC NDP 100% of the people didn't know who she was, now 50% do, that's an improvement! She will bring common sense and community back to the agenda, something that is lacking with this BC Liberal government under Gordon Campbell's dictator leadership. Carole James is the best person to lead our province forward to a better future for ordinary people who work, volunteer and keep our economy and communities thriving.

As the scion of Dave B. points out the "NDP will be trying to create a positive, moderate persona for James." The operative word is "create." What this article appears to be all about is "image" rather than substance. Fact is when NDP-types describe Gordon Campbell et al as right-wing ideologues, the party of Big Business, they are right. Similarly when the Campbell consortium describes James et al as left-wing ideologues, the Party of Big Labour, they are right too. The people need some alternative, a truly centrist party, not another freshly spun and painted version of the old left or right. Watch for a new political party in the Legislature in February, and coming soon to a ballot box near you. Robert Allington, BC Democratic Coalition

I am an entrepreneur. I am not a union member. I have a broad network of associates in both working arenas. We all agree that what has been sadly missing from the Gordon Campbell regime is integrity, openness with government process on behalf of the public, and COMMOM SENSE. PRW has echoed my and many others' belief that Gordon Campbell is propped up and manipulated by a "few multimillionaires" benifiting from government deals behind closed doors. It is an illusion that they have done anything for small or large business in British Columbia, other than their little network. At least unions represent "thousands of workers" who have a positive impact on our economy as PRW points out. Who is benefiting from the obnoxious stream of government taxpayer funded Campbell advertising (that many of us 'mute') other than the advertising companies that paid $10,000 each to be shortlisted by Campbell and Co. for future benefits? I have a lot of faith in the ability and decency of the general public, to be able to see the truth and act accordingly to ensure change next May 2005. Enough is enough. Carole James will be supported in spades by the general populace quietly, in their voting booths. Perhaps a woman leader, working beside good men and other woman, will help to balance all British Columbians' needs that have been thrown into chaos by this present disgraceful government. Carole James has a great deal to be proud of.

Re: Robert Allington; BC Democratic Coalition. I look forward to finding out more about this new party, but I still believe in the New Democratic Party as they will always be there ensuring all people have rights irregardless of financial status, race, religion, etc. What could your party bring to the equation, tell the Tyee readers now, why wait until February!

Carole James came to the Kootenays in August this year at an NDP BBQ in Castlegar and spoke to over 150 people. She also met with individuals and community groups in Grand Forks to find out what people's concerns are. Is Gordon Campbell going to show his face here? 50% of BC knows something about Carole James, well before she was elected as the leader of the BC NDP, 100% didn't know who she was, I'd say that's an improvement! She's well spoken, confident, sincere and an ordinary person. What makes her unique, is she's a female candidate, (what a novelty in this sexist society!) She like all women politicians, etc., have to prove themselves 100 X more just because of their gender! I'm tired of the hostility in all politics. I think more women need to be at the table to bring some common sense and co-operation and a sense of community that is lacking with the mostly rich, white male (boys club). Being able to work with people of different races and opinions is what makes Canada a great place to live. I'm not saying give up your principles, but we all have to co-exsist together. Bickering and name calling seems to be the attitude of the day. That is a waste of taxpayers money! Learn the issues and try to come up with solutions! Carole James is the best person to lead this province forward not backwards as Gordon Campell and the BC Liberals have done.

Wow, after reading some of these comments I can see what the NDP might be up against...if people make their decisions based on who a person marries ( a native??) or their gender what hope do we have of ever electing a strong politician to make sound decisions based on fairness and fact. For the past 3 years only those wealthy and heartless enough to do so have breezed through unscathed. The plight of regular British Columbians has been ignored. I was never political until I read about Carole James (prior to her becoming NDP Leader). I decided that was the kind of politician I want making decisions for me, for my family and friends and more importantly for those in our society that need various support (whether it be health, education or social services.) I have had the opportunity to discuss matters one on one with Carole and have heard various public discussions; I can tell you that I have not been let down and in fact feel even stronger now than I did a year ago - Carole James is the right person for the job that desparately needs to be done. We are losing our Province and our dignity very rapidly with the wealthy and heartless Gordon Campbell government and I ask everyone who feels they don't know who Carole James is...send her an email, write her a letter, attend a speech...I promise you will agree with me!! As far as all the blabber about this being a "Union" movement, I for one am not in a union but lets face it - Unions represent the workers of our Province, lets get control of our Province back as a united TEAM!!!

Does Carole really have a chance? The NDP have only won three elections in the last 100 years, and the only reason they did that was because the right split their vote. However, whose going to split Gordon's votes this time. Reform, unity, libertarians? Unless Carole can disguise herself as a centralist, all her virtue, and kindness will not have a chance, at least not under our first past the post system. The NDP may capture 42-44% of the vote. Greens 5, others 2-3% and the Liberals 48%. The only chance anyone has of defeating the liberals is to either rebuilt another right wing party to take away their support, or to help campaign for a Single Transferable Vote. And hope for a minority government in 2009. www.stvforbcm

The NDP over the past while have been a great disappointment: with their lack of direction, the general tone of their new releases, the tendency to insulate the leader - thus giving the impression she needs insulation, and their failure to respond to communications from the public. I like the Greens better and better.

I have been fortunate to meet Carole James at several events in my community. She is very positive in her approach and she always states that processes need to be inclusive. I can't believe the schedule that she has kept up travelling across B.C. getting a feel of what British Columbians want and need. This is the sign of a leader. Sure you can have the Gordon Campbell in your face when he wants the press but then get his hidden approach at election time. I remember he ran a very American approach in his last campaign. His team kept him away from the press. Gary Colons-Farrell can also only do Campbell more damage as he suffers from foot in mouth. One minute saying the Liberals can't take credit for the 2 billion surplus but then saying they can in another press release. Lets face it the timing of the transfer payments was pretty interesting. The RAV line needs 42 million in order for it to succeed to cover the debt. Then a few days later the press release about the 2 billion surplus. The a few days later Gordo says he may cover the cost overruns for the much-needed RAV line 42 million deficit. Doesn’t this more or less giving the company that was successful in the bid a free for all 42 million donation of taxpayer’s money. I don't see or hear Carole making these types of commitments in her approach. She says you have to be transparent and that you need to make decisions that will be for the good of the province. As British Columbians its time for us to decide on who will serve the best interests of British Columbians and we need to have people in government who are there for the right reasons. Carole from my chances to talk to her has never made me feel that what I have to say is of little importance. She doesn't come across as a lets appease the voter type politician. She demonstrates excellent listening and people skills and appeasing people just is not the style of an honest politician. Maybe the problem the Liberals have is they can't find any dirt on her. They can't find any negative rumours about indiscretions like we have had about the Liberal Government. Maybe she doesn’t have a drinking problem or a criminal conviction out of country. Also maybe she does not want this job for self-serving purposes and not for American business interests quietly buying up our assets and our information we provide to the government. Maybe she is just what BC needs...a person of character and integrity... and I don't think we have had around since Mike Harcourt. Maybe we need someone like old Wacky Bennett who gave us BC Hydro and not some one like Gordo who sold it off to American energy interests. When will British Columbians or the media for that matter start talking about the Americanization of British Columbia occurring right under our noses? Why is it that the Minister of Finance has been trying to mislead the public about ICBC and other privatization schemes? Why did this government, under the Minister of Finance’s watch disallow the public to find out who owns and company in British Columbia. What do they have to hide and look at the American structures that have been put in place from everything to consumer affairs to the PP3's. I think that maybe the Liberals have a chance in the next election if they dump both Campbell and Colons-Farrell. Or maybe they could change the name of the Liberal party to the Republican Party of British Columbia and they may gain the Conservative and Reform voters. Carole you have one hell of a mess to fix and it won't be easy to do but I know that you have the abilities to lead us in fixing the mess of the last 4 years. I also hope you take a close look at every contract signed by this Liberal Government and if it was done in bad faith to the interests of British Columbians you legislate those contracts as being void.

As a political activist over most of my adult life, I have experienced many political leaders in Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia. None has impressed me more than Carole James. Her integrity is without question, and her life-experiences have equipped her to understand and appreciate the extreme demands of being a single parent mother, a bread-winner, a foster parent, a member of a visible minority, a pollitician who does not capitulate to the extreme pressures imposed by the dominant culture, a listener and an empathic. Whether or not that will translate into the requisite 'spin' demanded by the private corporate media to warrant approval I seriously doubt. However, it is absolutely what "the world (British Columbia in particular) needs now." and I would hope enough people have the wisdom to discern that and see her as the best hope we have of ridding ourselves of the extreme ideaologues and their mandarins who have absolute control and power in this province.

I think we have to more realistic and fair in our expectations of Carole. Thus far Gordon Campbell has given her roughly 35% in the polls and is perhaps the most unpopular leader in recent memory. The Liberals can spend all day telling us what a wonderful province we have, however that does not change the fact that not many like the guy, and that is not going to change. How hard does Carole need to work when the Premier spends millions of tax dollars to send more support her way? As for Unions involvement why be ashamed and constantly in denial over this fact. The Union vote, and financial contributions are significant to the party, and let’s face it, to pretend otherwise undermines credibility, and why not stand up and be proud of the party faithful. Learn from the Liberals, they make no bones about the fact they are a business minded party waging an all out assault on organized labor. Does anyone seriously think the NDP would have a hope in hell of getting elected without the support of organized labor? Think about it, and be proud of it.

Carol James is one of the Greatest leaders the NDP has seen and will when she wins make a superb premier of the Province of BC

I too have had the honour of spending time with Carole James and her delightful partner Al. Its long overdue for this province to have a leader with a background not in business (ie corporate greed and pillage for Liberal insiders), but in caring. Foster mother, school board chair and so much more, she has the experience that will matter as we try to rebuild a broken province. She has that kind of common sense that makes a household run well and this poor dishevelled household that has been through the Liberal hurricane surely needs her. As Tommy Douglas tried to tell us we need to vote for people who are like us, not for people who use their total control of the media to brainwash us into thinking that we can be rich like them someday, if only we hold our noses and cheat and lie and steal. We need to build and we can only do this if we all pitch in. We don't need showboaters and Olympic rah-rah teams. We need nurses and school aides and housing for families and child care and a real wage. We need to stop buying the stupidity we are fed through the mass media every day. Watch "Survivor" and that will help you make an intelligent decision on voting day! Why not surf the web instead and find out what's really going on in the world. If we don;t through the Liberals out we will have given up our freedom. Simple. Obvious. Common sense.

Well I suppose I should have read all the comments before deciding what i would put in my brief little comment about Carol...who I still believe is a wonderful woman!!!! I am absolutely disgusted at the implication that because she is a woman and "married to a native" that somehow makes her less of a person....absolutely amazing that someone could be so narrow minded. As for the Union "Bosses" There is absolutely nothing wrong with Unions, nor the wages there employees make, the things they stand up for and the benefits they have gotten for many if not all British Columbians, which of course have been put back 50 years by the "liberal Liars" in the last couple years. GO CAROL GO...you've got my full support...myself and my Inuit Husband...(for the person who made the comment about a "native" husband....think before you make a comment like that.....

Agreed, Sussanne, and my guess is that post was written by a man- "good looks, charisma and style are what sell and Carole has neither", the poster said. (Neither??) Then (he) goes on to write that Carole being a woman and married to a native counts as five strikes. Well, that is an opinion, isn't it? As far as I'm concerned she is attractive, has style (I don't know about charimsa but you say she is charismatic, Sussanne) and the fact that she is a woman counts for about 100 points and married to a native, uh, another 100. My view. So you see, the writer of that post is merely trying to impose (his?) viewpoint and make it sound like it is the norm. F*** him.

People are idiots.

As long as women (and men...) challenge such idiot talk (and I'm always first in line :) we can prevent such views from becoming mainstream. Nice comments, Shawna.

Dear 'To The Point'- that is not obvious to all of us, sorry to blow your theory out of the water :)

Who Carole is or is not married to, is irrelevant. What is disturbing about the NDP, coming up to this next election, is the line I'm getting from NDPers that, we really do have to accept that what has been done by Campbell is not likely reversable, or its going to take a long time. There are just some things we are all going to have to learn to live with. What is done, is done.

I've been hearing this same swill from the "right" since Bill Bennett, back in the days of Solidarity and the General Strike. It's fundamentally the same mantra Gordo has been carrying as well. And if it walks and talks like a Liberal, the odds are it's a Liberal, whatever it's dressed up in drag as. In fact, with his surplus squeezed out of the poor and the rest of the working class now, over the period of his reign, Gordo The Piss Tank is sounding more like a social democrat than the NDP, the party of the social democrats. Which should have you NDPers worried, because many a folk is as much worried about your preparedness to carry through on your own promises.

Except, the NDP seems to be about to get around that one, by not making any promises. Which is a new concept, right? I mean, how often do con artists say, "You can trust me." ? Hardly ever, right?

Which is all really bs, of course. Because it's a question of whose feathers one is prepared to ruffle and not, and whether one is or is not willing to take on the rich and powerful over their tax breaks, and deal or not deal with the corporatist agenda within the economy, in order to properly finance education, health and the infrastructure needs of our cities, towns and rural areas, and meet the needs of people. On which side it is becoming increasingly clear where the Carole James NDP is really prepared to come down on, even with their choice of "business friendly" candidates much touted even here.

Which is okay, and knowing the historical NDP the way I really do, I'm not really surprised. Though, like a lot of those who have been thinking of voting NDP, I had hoped for something better, and a little more ballsy or vaginasy.

Now, whether folks are prepared to vote on blind faith or not-, which is another far from rare occurance, that almost always produces positive outcomes for the common herd, we are going to find out. Though I am really starting to think about just sitting this next one out, and letting what will be, be. Sometimes you really have to do that, I find. (I don't buy the crap that if you don't vote, you can't bitch. More BS. I bitch anyway. :-)

And that ain't really a threat, or to just have a spoiled brat hissy fit, or to try and pressure anyone into anything. (Wellll.) It's a question of tactics and strategy. Bullshit is bullshit, even when you call it democracy. And I never knowingly, looking down with my eyes wide open, step into bullshit.

Though, a few times unknowingly.

Coyote makes some good points. Its almost like Carole is trying to court the business vote and suddenly Gordo is funding social programs like crazy. Why court the business vote? They would never vote for the NDP in a million years, and if Carole get's elected they will all try and be friendly as if to pretend that they did. Campbell is hell bent on destroying the Union movement in this province and publicly the Unions are now like a dirty word to the NDP? In times like these leaders need to stand up and recognize whom they truly support. We all know where the business money will go. It’s time to take a stand.

I too,am of the belief that the NDP should be damn proud of its union support because it identifies what the party is all about; fairness for all.Unions havent been around for very long at all and we all know from history how the average joe got shafted or worse, enslaved.Union influence accounts for the labour code that protects all workers, not just union, from abuse.The neo con rats, the toadies for big biz have already changed that code that was enabled by the sweat and aspirations of thousands of workers for years.The wolf is at the door.Carol James is a refreshing champion to have. I support her because she is a workers champion as well as being fiscally responsible and encouraging to business. And one final note....for the number of voters that are swayed by looks, gender etc I would not be surprised that the greater proportion would choose to vote for some one who looks and acts completely different to the smarmy, silver tongued liars that have let us down in the past and present.

Carole James needs to let more of the people in this province see her. She is a cypher.

A stand for what? "We hate profit!" "Competitiveness is false consciousness!" "Our Leader is great because she's a woman married to a native!" It's great to court your base, but the NDP base voted in exactly two MPs last time around, because of the successful demonization of the NDP's supposed weaknesses -- that they don't have any idea how to manage money, whether through taxation or supporting businesses. Supporting business is good. Yes, they are oppressing you (while paying your doles) but until we switch to the no-money system of Star Trek, I think we are stuck with the notion that the ruling party must also be the business party. That means that both parties are business parties. But one will be seen to be much more competent, smarter and have spending priorities that address the concerns of the majority. I think the NDP can be that party, and Carole James might be the right vector for the message. But wishful thinking and $4 will almost buy you a large mocha. The NDP has to start proving its usefulness, relevance, and fortitude. James is very nice, whatever, but right now is doing absolutely nothing to impress.

As always, fine comments from Coyote. The NDP has always had conflicts between their left and right and this will continue just as we are seeing with COPE in Vancouver. To be elected, the NDP cannot be too far to the left. Harcourt was a social democrat from the "right wing" of the NDP. Under Harcourt, the NDP maintained enough support to achieve his goal of a two-term government.

I read a couple of the books on Bill Bennett last week and I was surprised to see that this Socred government is exactly the same as the Gordon Campbell government. The recession that worsened under Bill Bennett's regime. The attacks on unions, including private sector construction which enriched developpers who paid their non-union workers fair below the fair rate. For example on Kerkof Construction's Expo 86 contract that only saved the government $45,000 on a $4.4 Million contract. Kerkoff pockets the extra $600,000 that he did not have to pay the workers in addition to the other profits built into the contract. This is what private sector unions have to look forward to if they vote for Gordon Campbell. We cannot accept a defeatist attitude; we have to fight the BC Liberals right up until May 15.

Nobody has a problem with profit; it's not giving a fair share to those who help earn that profit that is the problem. What is fair you ask? A decent wage so you can own a home and raise your family for starters. Union wages help provide for that. Campbell and big business are destroying organized labor and you think that the NDP should endorse this just to get elected? That would be no better than what the Liberals did after promising to respect contracts. I think the leader of a party should stand tall and proudly represent the values of the core membership, not mollycoddle with the parasites of exploitation. You never saw a Coke Machine on the Enterprise did you?

I am for fair wages for construction workers. Under the BC Liberals, the Olympic sites can and will be built with poorly paid non-union workers.

Why is BINGO-GATE a scandal? The dollars were small potatos. Compare this with Jimmy Pattison's Expo 86. How could he say that he was not being paid for his work and then give out contracts to TEN of his companies. Is this not a conflict-of-interest scandal, especially when the cost of the event ($850 MILLION) continually expanded until it was on a par with the fast ferries? How could he be allowed to profit on the backs of the people of BC?

Did anyone else hear that pollster, Evi Mustel is going to be the Liberal candidate in West Vancouver for the May 2005 Provincial election. If so, perhaps this might indicate some built in bias to her sampling techniques/questions employed in her polling methodology in quest to 'shape' public opinion. Just curious . . . .

Hi again. No, no Coke machines on the Enterprise. I assume they had it in through the slot in the cafeteria wall. *** I'm not saying that the NDP should ape the right wing, not at all. The NDP should be pro-union, power to the people. But as part of the larger vision. What vision? Well, there are two ways to be successful politically. The first is to appeal to the immediate impulses, greed and fear. This is what the right wing does, and they can have it. The harder but better way is to appeal to reason and decency -- where business is encouraged but the government's concern is for all the citizenry rather than just owners. Capitalism is not inconsistent with human values, if properly managed. There was an interesting article in Slate (or Salon? I think Slate) which illustrates this point. Wal-Mart uses minimum-wage help to sell rock-bottom products, whereas Costco pays decent wages and benefits (in order to retain staff), selling good-quality products (in order to retain customers). Wal-Mart is bigger right now. They are only about the bottom line. But Costco is also making profits, and their business model seems more sustainable. *** This relates to the NDP in that it is incumbent on them to figure out how to reconcile worker's rights with the opportunity for owners to make profit. I think you can sell the idea of making less short term profit in tradeoff for stability and just happier clients (a la Costco), but the NDP first has to understand and then articulate that position. *** That's just on the economic side. In terms of the social side, I think the NDP enjoys (and probably fails to exploit) a huge natural advantage. The right wing attracts the baggage of the crypto-Nazis, the religious fanatics, the fag-bashers. We are the normal people.

I had a chance to meet Carole and was very impressed. She is letting British Columbians know her one person at a time. The media does not give her representation on most of her community excursions, that is why she may appear invisible. They seem to cover only the big stuff. Ever hear Bill Good interview Gordo?. He just quietly accepts his spin, occansionally questioning his response. But to hear him interview Carole, he challenges everything she says. This is not Bill Goods fault, he is just a right wing thinker and can't see his own bias. I strongly believe that if Gordo had campaigned on the truth, that he would not have been elected. That is how he got a lot of the union vote. He lied. I dare him to campaign on the truth this time. Carole will not lie to us. She has more integrity that Gordon, and will be getting my vote.

Anyone who thinks Carole James is run by unions never worked in the Greater Victoria school district - BUT I'll still vote for her and the NDP over Gordo any day.

Ron and Coyote make some excellent points. The NDP have to take that courageous step of being true to their own soul and do it with some creativity and flair. And if the mainstrean media ignores them then it is up to them, no one else, to find a way to bring attention to themselves. If party organizers can't do this, find new ones that can. Quit playing the same old defensive victim game and launch an original offense.

To be fair to James, when she was in Powell River, she answered a question about BC Ferries' present quasi-private status (probably went unreported by big media) by saying that under the NDP BC Ferries will once again be a Crown corporation. When asked about David Hahn, she said "his services would no longer be needed."

During these few months we need to do what it takes to wrest government from the hands of this anti-liberal Liberal mob and go back to where we were with balanced budgets, lowering tuition, equity on the move...We made a huge and costly mistake in falling for the media assault. Maybe this is a painful lesson we have to learn. How tragic for those families that are paying that price! Winning back at the polls probably means being assured, centrist, inclusive, believable...so no big promises please, just do what Carole is doing, getting out there, listening, being seen. Sure, the right wing media don't report her, even Tyee says she is nearly invisible. But she is not invisible in my town. She has been here several times, she has listened and she has impressed us all with her sincerity.When the election writ is dropped then she will be trailing a pack of "reporters" behind her wherever she goes. What they write and say will be critical and we know what they will write and say. Just go back 4 years,cut'n'paste. The best hope we have to win back BC in 2005 is Money. If BC floods Carole with money in the next few months we will get BC back. If we don't we won't. WE will have to buy space and time and that takes millions. A second hope is Turnout. When Carole visits our towns, let's turn out all our pals, kids, grandmothers...let the turnout be visible, loud, fun. A third hope is letters to the the editor. Free media! Write and write often. Reply to every Pro-Liberal letter. The 4th hope is putting your position out there for all to see. Bumper stickers, NDP buttons, lawn signs. Create your own Take back BC Tee shirt. Tatoos anyone?

Is charisma really a problem here? Gordon Campbell has a face that would stop a truck, and a likeability quotient to match. And the ndp should definitely get every jailcell grin poster of gordo out that they can. A clip of gordon liar, begging for "mercy and compassion," in his blubbering taxpayer funded "apology" for drunken driving, after assaulting the disadvantaged and workers all over bc would really not be out of order either. The ndp should run an attack campaign on gordon liar but one based on the truth. Start with the 1.2 billion in equalization payments given only to failed economies, and the fact that gary collins MUST have known about the coming equalization payments, but chose to assault vulnerable people in the "care" of the Ministry of Children and Families anyway. (See David Schreck's last 3 columns at strategicthoughts.com) Campaign on the ndp record: 2 balanced budgets and an economic growth of well over 4% in the last year of its term. Endlessly repeat the number of broken promises by gordon liar. In brief, get the truth out there , especially the truth about bc's disatrous economy for most of liberals mandate. ASK CONTINUALLY ABOUT THE BC LIAR'S HIDDEN AGENDA this time, WHICH NO DOUBT INCLUDE THE PRIVATIZATION OF ICBC AND THE GIVEAWAY OF THE REST OF HYDRO.

Carole James grows on people and EARNS theIR respect, as is obvious by all of the praise for her above, most of it by nonregular tyyee posters. The ndp is building an excellent on the ground team; campbell is having problems attracting any but the extreme right to run in may,2005. The ndp could also use a good slogan such as, "STRONG COMMUNITIES FOR A STRONG ECONOMY," the polar oposite of the bc liar's weak communities, for a takeover and sellout to multinational interests. Include, where campbell excludes, and GET THE TRUTH OUT, and we can't lose. An excellent start would be destroying all the taxpayer funded lies about the bc liars being good economic managers, WELL BEFORE the election starts.

I too will vote NDP in the next election. I think Carol James is relatively unknown at present, but that will change as the election draws nearer. I am concerned about the recent anouncements from the BC Fed, proclaiming its support for the NDP. I believe a lot of British Columbians would be tempted to vote NDP, after the past 3 and 1/2 years, but they are a little scared of having the province run by the unions. Even if it wouldn't be run by the unions, there is a perception that it would. Equally important as trying to get the NDP elected in 05, is making sure that the STV is passed. If it is, we should never again see the kind of political terrorism being practiced on British Columbians at present

How about an article on Adriane Carr ? Or are the editors of Tyee too wrapped up in their political agenda ?

i agree with rockerbiff, if the the Tyee can run a feel good article on carole james where is the the same for adrian carr and the greens? Actually in all the time i have read the tyee i do not recall many feel good articles on the Greens. Unless, the Tyee has a hidden agenda to only support the NDP?

I've had my fill of Adraine Carr in The Tyee already, thank you. This was not "an article on" Carole James. It was "an article on" the percieved public perception of Carole James. There is a lot of difference between the two.

Haven't we had several Adrienne Carr articles? Isn't there anyone else in the Greens? I'm happy to read about any BC political figure but I like variety.

What's a Carole James is it some thing like a Bob Skelly

I agree with you, Ron that the NDP has to be more direct in it's vision, less afraid of itself but I don't agree, not in the least, that we are stuck with the notion that the ruling party must be a business party. Though the world now is consumed with that precise notion it will eventually recoil from it because in the end it has nothing to do with the real value of living. The world is being pushed to the brink because we continue to fail to acknowledge that. The NDP's real power is in the recognition of this, in the social values that uphold life. As Ed Deak says so well above, the NDP will have to learn how to communicate this vision with a real sense of command and to no longer fear being unfriendly to business.

Its always interesting when someone (read Rockerbiff) who is completely wrapped up in their own political agenda questions someone else as being wrapped up in their own political agenda. If ever the old "pot calling the tea kettle black" applied......

Ron, I hear what your saying, however I don’t think the NDP can sell anything to the business community. The Liberals are the business party and they make no bones about it. Trying to sell big business on the NDP is like selling Big Macs at a vegetarian convention, they will not be buying anything that could mean less profit, or privatization. If the Liberals can be upfront about being all business why cannot the NDP be upfront about representing the labor that is the real backbone of the BC ? It makes my blood boil that some in the NDP leadership are trying to shun from Union support and ask that we court business and so called people instead.

Well it is satisfying to see so many comments on a story of a "nobody", whether I agree with them or not. It is about time that the people of BC had any real opinion about our future. So far we have elected some pretty pathetic leaders, Gordon Campbell and Glen Clarke included. Corruption can lean both left and right, and even in the blur that now exists between extremes. The issue in leadership is not only policies but trust in the leader's ability to focus on real people's needs, not just economics. The NDP need to remember their roots in the CCF and the values of Tommy Douglas. Transcribe these to the issues of today's complex economic issues, and Carole James would have my vote as a leader. How she plans to turn around the mess of cutbacks and bring some morale and dignity to government workers is a problem. It will require spending that would not be popular. We have been taught to worship money and surplus, and it is hard to remember the days when we looked to the betterment of our disadvantaged people. The NDP cannot compromise on these values if they are to respected. It is not just about what Carole James stands for, but the NDP candidates who run. Who are THEY? Let us hear more from them. I am somewhat tired of always hearing "the opposition" say what they are "against" in the current Government blunders. Let's assume most of us know the Campbell team is a sick lot. What does the new NDP team stand for? How would they clean up the mess we have in BC. It seems this is what has defeated previous NDP leaders -the inability to clean up messes.

I can assure you that the question "Who is Carole James?' has little influence on my vote, or that of my wife, in the upcoming election. I am very confident that the Carole is a convenient maidenhead for the NDP-establishment: namely, the inner cabal of zealots that forced Harcourt from office (something that should never have happened over thr trifling 'bingo-gate'), in favour of Glen 'Let me do your bidding' Clarke. Aside fromTyee's most common posters, most of this province will indeed remember, keenly, the disaster that the Clarke-era brought forth on British Columbians and they can easily see the connections between Carole James and a new era of garbled-government. Expect many voters who are longing for moderate policies to reject the NDP and the Fiberals by staying home on May 17, or heading over to GREENER pastures, where my wife and I are heading.

"What does the new NDP team stand for?", asks LumbyDave. Which is the question, isn't it Dave? Besides being "business friendly" that is.

Now where the hell have I heard that concept before?

The reality is, there has been little problem with "business friendly" in this province, or the country for that matter, for one hell of a long time-, and all it has created is one hell of a mess of ordinary people's lives. What is sorely needed are policies friendly to ordinary folks; worker/consumers, the poor, women, children, the environment, and bold stops beyond STV, the parties' favourite new "gerrymandering toy", into the area of legislation that opens up crown corporations, and publicly funded institutions, to "democratic" worker/union/public participation on boards of directors and into the management of these public enterprises. (Which would be a good example to start with, garner experience, and eventually extend the principles into the commanding corporate sectors.)

Enough "business friendly" already-, which is not to advocate beating up on them. What we really need is "People Friendly" government across the social/class spectrum, weighted to the the most needy strata, in more than "sweet talking" but vacuous words.

There is more to politics than winning this or that particular election. A hard fact for folks, especially politicos to get their heads around, I know. More important than limiting one's vision and focus there is, engaging in the kind of politics, social and economic action, and ideological articulation that helps create a "sustaining environment" out there in the real world, so that when one does move into "formal" power, one can actually do something without always casting fearful glances over one's shoulder. This latter which, is a consequence of merely relying on "sneaking into power" on the coat tails of a "protest vote", to get somebody else more immediately hated out of office, like Gordo baby. Which I suspect to be the real strategy which the NDP has decided to rely on in this next election. Big mistake. Heap big mistake that only continues to feed that uniquely "opportunist" leadership strain, for which the NDP is already too often famous, unfortunately.

Now to these folks, standing up in the legislature on this government bill or that, may "seem" like the "Big Picture", but I suggest, there is a whole wide world out there of people and their realities, that is much more immediately in need of organization and motivation, and that if successfully put in motion, acting in their "own" interests, would open up a really "Big Picture" of new possibilities for us all.

Too much "little" thinking going on, in the NDP and everywhere else.

I hope the NDP is listening to this because there are a number of us invoking courage on their part to stand up for those human values, now in jeopardy, by the constant tide of appeasement towards business interests. Ironically, big business is already an anachronism; it is a tired old idea that is destroying us. The only thing it props up is a dead world. Problem is, it's dull reign has worn-down so much originality of thought.

Excellent point by coyote about how we need "a people-friendly" government, and, dare I say it, also an excellent campaign slogan, especially if backed up by real action towards this end once in office. I still maintain, however, that an important priority for the ndp forming a government is to destroy utterly the taxpayer funded MYTH, that the bc liars have somehow "fixed" the economy, long BEFORE the election, otherwise all the dunderheads buying into this lie may hold their noses and reelect the bc liars, in what may still be a close election. And let's not forget LOTS of photos of that drunken jail cell smirk from hawaii.

"Ironically, big business is already an anachronism; it is a tired old idea that is destroying us." writes Lynn.

Which is the point being so missed Lynn, in all the faith based recitations about the "past" glories of capitalism, some which we hear here even, by the "system apologists", in my view. Capitalism has actually been a useful tool, which has lifted the societal boat above its feudal flounderings and backwardness, but it is/was just a "tool", and now, at its late "corporate" stage of development, has become something fundamentally anti-democratic, overly centralized into the hands of a wealthy and privileged few outside our control, and now in its full "globalization" flight and neo-conservative stage of development, turned against and profoundly harmful to the interests of ordinary people and the peace.

Which is the way life evolves; that which was useful at one stage of development, becomes deleterious and counter productive at another. It becoming ever clearer in these days, I think, watching Empire USA and the profoundly "anti-human" global developments of this late corporate capitalism everywhere, including in this country, that there is a rapidly emerging need to move beyond all this shit.

Which does not mean that one throws the baby out with the wash, and that what is still useful within what capitalism has assisted us in securing, should not be retained. It merely means that nothing lasts forever, just like the Model T Ford and the ancient lot of women, hunter-gatherer society, and including all socio-economic and political forms. They are all just stuff and things, and the way we organize them, and as such expendable when appropriate, and they no longer serve our needs. It is about people, and serving the evolving needs of people and their great world wide community, not things and outmoded institutions.

We need a more imaginative, as well as grounded view of what life and society is all about. Simple, narrow and self-serving corporate consumerism is no longer good enough.

And that reality needs to begin to find a way into how we view and conduct our day to day politics, and our economic and political struggles.

At least I wear my political agenda were everyone can see it. The only article on Adriane Carr featured in the Tyee was entitled "Greens Big Losers in Surrey Panorama Ridge", hardly an article struck a positive note. On the other hand my article on "Why Adriane Carr is running in Surrey Panorama Ridge" was duly dismissed. So YES the Tyee is a NDP supporting rag that has a political agenda to that end, it would not surprise me to find Schreck or Tielman in the ranks and influence of this site. A long time NDP supporter came up to me the other day and told me of an email she had recieved from NDP in which the NDP chastised the Liberals for not following through on oil and gas exploration. Now here is a party that is claiming to be Greener than the Greens yet announces this apparent contradiction to its rank and file. If they are reflected I have my stopwatch ready for when the first NDP "green" candidate leaves and becomes a real Green. I'll make no bones about that I am running to defeat whoever the NDP nominate on January 30 in Vancouver Hastings, I am looking forward to it. http://amputee-online.com/iangregson

Pardon me: "If they are re-elected I have my stopwatch ready for when the first NDP "green" candidate leaves and becomes a real Green.

Rocker biff, you are among the most duplicitous tytee posters on the tyee, and your sole contribution to the next election , AS ALWAYS, will be vote-splitting, hopefully the rightwing vote, as bc voters increasingly realize what mindless, over-priveleged yuppified, corporate apologists the greens in bc have become. You, yourself are no more than a political opportunist, who like carr "trusts business to do the right thing," no matter who gets hurt. But I, and so many others have so badly trounced so often before that your maudlin little whines are scarcely worth responding to. ADRIANNE CARR IS A JOKE AND UNELECTABLE, AS THE SURREY BYELECTION PROVED SO WELL.

You're absolutely right rockerbiff. We are almost without exception biased against the continuing whine you and other Greens drone on with in your never-ending (or succeeding) quest to annoint Adrianne Carr the most important person in BC. Surrey residents certainly didn't think so. You are propping up a faded wannabee whose time for politics past her by when she made room for the conservative ideologues who are attempting to again use the Greens as a weapon against a real progressive political movement.

Lewis please make sure you renew your NDP membership, better still a life time membership should be given to you. Please continue to support the NDP the way you do here, it will make my job so much easier in 2005.

Rockerbiff, Could you please show the letter from the NDP demanding offshore oil and gas exploitation ? It would make a very interesting reading, if there is really such a letter.

I will this person tomorrow night so I will ask her to do so. I did ask her to do it after she told me, but she was hesitant and did not want to get the party in trouble. My guess this email went out to the general membership, therefore 95% of the people posting here may also have a copy.

Another Green/NDP pissing match, lol. Long live the Rhinos!!!

As a teacher in the Greater Victoria School District, I am not particularly excited about Carole becoming our next permier. Don (11/29/2004, 12:09:54) states, "She always worked to foster cooperation of teachers, trustees, parents and the general public for the good of students." Well, sorry Don, not many teachers in this school district were impressed with her. She supported a fat, self-serving, old boys club of an administration and did not actually walk into the schools enough to see what was really going on. And then there were her anti-teacher remarks in the media which, at the time, were biased and misinformed. So much for fostering cooperation of teachers. Like many teachers who work hard, I am sick of people who use the postion of school trustee meerly as a political springboard to further their own political ambitions. That is what Carole James did. The NDP will probably get my vote because my current MLA Susan Brice, another former school trustee, has performed dreadfully. I can only hope, should Carole James become premier of BC, that she will govern with more integrity and honesty than she did as a school trustee.

Another Tyee love-in for Carole James and the NDP. Same old hacks and flacks. Carole James good, Adriane Carr bad. But I'm still trying to figure something out. You people keep talking about how right wing the Greens are. And yet, I also hear how this right wing Green Party will steal votes from the NDP. HUH? I agree with rockerbiff. The NDP is simply Liberal lite. Can't wait to hear how green they are during the election. Until they get back in govt. My friends and I support the greens and we wouldnt vote for you NDP/Liberals for any amount of your greenwashing slogans.

I think everyone should just join up with the liberals and nominate entirely new candidates where necessary. Adrian reminds me of the "Egg Lady" and Carole seems almost clueless. I can't imagine anyone wanting to turn the reins over to either of them. (with the exception of Lewis Swift of course) Imagine 79 MLA's elected by acclamation of the constituents.... Say "goodbye" to the puppet strings. Pie in the sky - I suppose!

Good luck Rockerbiff/Ian. Shane Simpson awaits you.... ;-)

The line that Business donates much more to the Liberals than Unions donate to the NDP is pure propaganda. The NDP says that only 5% of donations come from unions. Does the 5 million the BCTF is spending on the election count? So either personal donations amount to about 95 million or the NDP is hiding behind half truths. The next election is Liberals v. Labor it's as simple as that. Although Business is involved with the Liberals, business doesn't create Liberal policy. Yes they may influence some decisions but they are not making those decisions. Unions create NDP policy. In the end a Union is also a business, all they care about is expanding there interests and the best way to do that is through the NDP. They don’t care about the public. So if all these decisions the Liberals have made were so bad why isn't Carole James going to reverse them. Could it be that they were necessary and the NDP was too scared to make the tough decisions needed to put our province back on track. If Carole James somehow manages to get elected it will be a dark day for BC, unless your living off the government then it will be the best day of your life because now you can just sit back and raid the government trough. And I know many of you out there love governments handouts. You can’t deny that claim after all socialism is a system based on government handouts instead of working for what you get. Honestly Carole James reminds me a lot of John Kerry. She's just saying what people want to hear. She has yet to introduce any real differences to the Liberals agenda, she complains about everything yet offers no concrete solution. Unlike John Kerry, when the real debates start she will be eaten alive. You’ll see. Right now the race is tight but the closer we get to the election the bigger the Liberals lead will become. Now all you out there can rip apart my post and call me a right wing lunatic. Quoting socialist rhetoric is especially effective.

your probably correct - but are you completely happy with the party? I'm not...

Gee, and here I thought you reactionaries had all lost the courage to crawl out of your tiny little holes. Over 40% of bc voters support the ndp, even in the last ridiculously biased poll conducted by none other than evie mustel , she of of the endless droning BC is the best place to live and work ads, (especially now that we have the training wage, gutted worker's rights, gutted workman's compensation and pensions, and child labor) and the polls which often seem to have been taken solely in shaughnessy and west van. We'll never know, of course, because the respondent's jurisdiction, income and whether or not they voted bc liar last time is never shown. And, now, good ol' unbiased evie is apparently going to run for the bc liars in the next provincial election. What a sad and pathetic joke. But then, I suppose when all the "moderates," gutless as they are, are quitting the bc liars in droves, I suppose you have to take what you can get. The Bc liars will undoubtedly be composed of nothing but the extreme right wing next election, even more than they are now. And I will tell you two things carole james has: courage and integrety, both sorely lacking in evry green and bc liar candidate. Should the bc liars be reelected I suggest you hang on to your taxcut with utmost care, as your auto insurance will no doubt be around the $5000 per annum mark after the bcbackstabbers gives away icbc, to the americans. Expect at least tripled hydro rates as well, as the wisdom of the marketplace gives away bc hydro for a song.

As to the greens, my remarks to ian gregson, a disasbled person who could care less that the bc liars continue to assault the disabled, stand. The unwiilingness to shut up no matter how often and how badly you are continually trounced is a sign only of total immaturity:; the willingness to help split the vote so that such scum as the bc liberals can get reelected is simply dispicable. And I thought all of the greens were anti-olympic, yet we haven't heard a word on that for MONTHS, aside from chris shaw and phil legood, who do not really seem to belong to the coopted free enterprise sychophant greens. How anyone can support a party whose federal wing is run by A FORMER MIKE HARRIS TORY will remain forever beyond me, thank christ. Thank you for all the mindless, cowardly, anonymous attacks on myself, however poorly phrased, and however spurious their logic. I take them as a tribute to my effectiveness. Thank you, one and all, even those of you with multiple personalities...heh, heh.

Stupid is what Lweis does!

JIm, could you please back up at least one of your silly claims above with something we might be able to call a fact. ***Younger than you turkeys, why is it you Greens just keep on whining and losing, whining and losing. I guess it's sort of a chicken and egg thing eh. Your leader had her 15 Warhol minutes and wasted them so now you're mad at everyone else? Grow up.

Jim, the real government handouts are BCliberal ones - to themselves . In the form of tax cuts to the rich, bonuses to their own cabinet, propping up of private business by using public funding, and those glossy very expensive ads of self-promotion (again at taxpayers expense) to name just a few. Not to mention those big handouts to american corporations in the form of marked down prices for the BCliberal's red tag sale of BC.

Also this is the government who in opposition, complained of the size of the NDP cabinet and now have one of the largest cabinets in BC history, again paid for by our tax dollars. So handouts and big government...that's BCliberal territory.

There's hardly anything left in this province that the BCliberals haven't put a price tag on. This is a government who'd sell your granny, and believe me, by their privatization of senior residences there are many who would say they did.

In fact, Campbell's cabinet installed in 2001, was "the largest cabinet in BC history." That's after they campaigned on reducing the size and expense of government.

This is kind of my point all along. Liberals are the business party and despite what Lewis Swift might say that the economy is not working, it is in fact working all to well - for the mighty corporations basking in record profits. With profit and privatization being the calling card of the Liberal government I ask again why is the NDP trying to court this vote? A vote that they will never get. Jim is ultimately correct that the election will be about Liberals vs. Labor, and since when did Labor, the very heart and soul and engine of those mighty corporations suddenly become a bad word to Carole James and the NDP ?

Jim, you're trolling. Business donates 10x to the Libs what the NDP gets from labour. Labour doesn't write NDP policy. On the other hand Gordon doesn't sneeze without consulting the board of trade. Your post is just stamping your foot, its devoid of substance.

Rockerbiff, when the Greens actually have a seat then I'll expect them to get lots of coverage. Considering their 0 seat count I don't think you can complain. Comparing them to the NDP is a red herring, the NDP have been the government and have a long history of winning seats in every election in this province since World War II. The Greens should be compared more with BC Unity or BC Reform because you get the same number of seats as them. Shouting its not fair is just silly. Win one seat.

It seems so crazy whenever I hear all that "influenced by Union leaders" babble. I'd much rather have a government that may be infuenced, but not run, by union leaders accross the province. These leaders have been elected through strict, transparent, and democratic processes, which is a lot more than I can say about the "big business bosses", who operate behind closed doors, with no one to account for other than their shareholders who are interested in nothing other than raising stock values. Unions represent a large portion of workers in BC who contribute vastly to the economy through their significantly higher pay than non-unionized labour. Unions do not belong as government, but I think their influence is fair and important. Government needs to fairly consider all sides, not just that of the corporate biggies. As a former representative/leader of an employer group (School Trustees Association), I would imagine Carole would have a fairly balanced view of labour issues in this province.

Switek, I consider the economy as something that works, or should work for, the common good, providing decently paying jobs as well as opportunities for big busineesses. Essential services like hospitals should not serve as oopportunities to loot livelyhoods from those who built and run the system, like the heu, as they have under the bc liars. The BC liars are not building the economy of BC, they are simply enabling their friends and owners to loot it. A balanced economy must work for all citizens, or the door is simply open to wholesale neoliberal looting. From this perspective I contend still, that the bc economy is a disaster under the bc liars matter how many of their friends are enriched. Neoliberal economics always ignores the common good.

Interpretation - welfare good, work bad.

If I had any doubts about the domination of Carole James and the N-dippers by BIG UNION, they were deep-sixed with the help of Michael Smyth's column in the Province on Friday. THIS IS A MUST READ for all those living in la-la-ville and dreaming that 'it's a new day for the NDP in British Columbia!' Piffle. The zealots are fully in charge, one reason I'm working to help elect Adrian Carr.

Michael Smythe - You read Michael Smythe! Double piffle...

The surrey byelection and even the most desperately biased polls taken by evie mustel indicate otherwise: that the ndp has an excellent chance of winning the next election, ant that the yuppie, vote-splitting greens will have a negligable impact, as Bc turfs OUT gordon liar, now leading one of the most rightwing parties EVER in bc, back into the GUTTER, he crawled out of. Michal Smythe was a SLAVISH gordon campbell sychophant, until after last christmas, when apparently the premier insulted him one time too many; perhaps he has reverted to type. And scare mongering about the ndp being too beholden to unions is simply a bad joke to the majority of BCers now who have seen that the premier is owned LOCK, STOCK, and BARREL by the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Chamber Pot of Commerce, and, apparently, the Fraser Institute. Unions also never assaulted little old ladies and disabled children, as all but the willfully ignorant are well aware of.

Translation - Welfare good - Work Bad!

How's this for a new line-up: Adrian Dix, Harry Lali, Corky Evans ... Lewis, you slay me ... I thnk you actually believe your own whoppers!

in response to this post: (The REAL barking mad fox channel, 11/29/2004 11:03:00 PM, writes: Carole James needs to let more of the people in this province see her. She is a cypher.) WAKE UP! she's all over the province, the people ARE seeing her; not a televised image,or an advertisement costing taxpayers thousands of dollars! With regards to all the posts sugessting that the political machinery of the NDP needs to create a persona for Carole: I don't want a leader that is created in the media. No "extreme makeover" needed thank you! Carole is REAL, and get used to it, it's time for government by the people.

Good point chris j. And "burned," unless you're income is in the province's top 5% you're not only getting burned by the bc liars, they're putting out the fire by pissing on you. Very unconvincing rebuttal.

So after reading the article, the conflicting testimony, lengthy opinions, bile, etc, I am still left with the original question - who is Carole James?

Great comment Phil. Not one comment in the original article or in the posts about what qualifies her to run a $35 billion dollar operation. I know little about her- only that she seems diplomatic to the point of being banal, and that she has worked in the Ministry of Children or some such. Like Clark before her she seems to have had no experience in balancing financial priorities, or indeed, and experience outside of the government. Nothing wrong with that, but I would observe that a long time in the public system as a civil servant does tend to skew one towards believing that public spending is the only way to deliver any program, and to denigrate the efficiency of the market in assisting the government in delivery of services. Anyway, it will be an interesting election, a lively debate, and, in the end, pretty much usual for BC politics, highly polarized and full of bitterness. I love it.

Great comment Phil. Not one comment in the original article or in the posts about what qualifies her to run a $35 billion dollar operation. I know little about her- only that she seems diplomatic to the point of being banal, and that she has worked in the Ministry of Children or some such. Like Clark before her she seems to have had no experience in balancing financial priorities, or indeed, and experience outside of the government. Nothing wrong with that, but I would observe that a long time in the public system as a civil servant does tend to skew one towards believing that public spending is the only way to deliver any program, and to denigrate the efficiency of the market in assisting the government in delivery of services. Anyway, it will be an interesting election, a lively debate, and, in the end, pretty much usual for BC politics, highly polarized and full of bitterness. I love it.

"the ndp could have peewee herman for a leader"
-they did.Well,the next best thing I guess:
Bob Skelly.Anyone here old enough to remember Skelly's exquisitely embarassing nervous breakdown on BCTV knows what I'm talking about.That unfortunate bit of theatre sealed his fate and handed Bill Vanderzalm the election on a siver platter...ugh.I just hope Carol has the chutzpah to look Gordo in the eye and (nice lady that she is)tear him a new one.God knows he'll be clinging to power like a barnacle on super glue.