Is there method to NDP’s stupidity?

To the uninformed observer, the NDP caucus revolt and forced resignation of Carole James Monday represents the height of political stupidity.

James might not have been an inspiring leader but with the Liberals in disarray, she stood a pretty good chance of becoming the first elected female premier of B.C.

Ever anxious to throw away an opportunity, the New Democrats are doing everything possible to match the B.C. Liberal implosion. Rallying under Jenny Kwan — the most unlikely of rebels — disaffected caucus members successfully hounded James out of office.

When I asked Liberal leadership hopeful Mike de Jong the other day if he’d sent Kwan a thank-you card he laughed but carefully avoided the topic, saying he was focusing on his own campaign.

But, of course, Liberals are scarcely containing their joy at the disintegration of unity within the NDP, for the socialists are even more bereft of leadership material than the Grits.

But could it all be so simple? Is it possible there’s some method to this madness? What do informed observers — as opposed to uninformed observers — think about it.

I tracked down Richard Olesen, a former TRU business professor who worked on federal and political NDP election campaigns here as well as being then-MP Nelson Riis’ assistant in Ottawa for a time.

Now retired as Dean of Business at Camosun College in Victoria, Olesen is currently politically uninvolved, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t talk to people in the party. His resulting view is a little different than the prevailing “stupid is as stupid does” assessment of what the NDP is up to.

He called James resignation “a bit of a blockbuster.

“I understand that the problem is that Carole James has people around her that are a bit old-line and extreme, and so the dissidents don’t feel like the party is flexible enough or appealing to a broader electorate.”

The only opportunity for gains is a high-risk strategy of dumping the leader, they believe.

Question is, Olesen wonders, “where’s the new leadership going to come from?”

Leadership is an issue that concerns Olesen in general, whether it be the NDP, the Liberals, or the Republicans and Democrats.

Is falling apart at crucial times just something the B.C. New Democrats do? Is it in their genes? “I don’t think that’s the case.”

But he acknowledged the party has a history of different factions clashing. Understanding the background and the strategy is different from agreeing with it, and Olesen fears the New Democrats may have blown their chance.

“I think so. Carole James wasn’t a strong leader but she wasn’t a bad leader. I don’t see any potential leaders (to succeed her).”

Which more or less takes us back to the armchair opinion of the uninformed that the NDP has just signed up for another 10 years in the wilderness.

WHERE’S GOD WHEN YOU NEED HIM? Or her. I see our transit buses will soon carry signage advising us that “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” First of all, I’m curious about the word “probably,” since the local atheists’ group sponsoring the sign seems pretty certain there is no God. Secondly, it’s a pretty weak slogan. Christians are much better at slogans. I well remember the California billboard of several years ago that warned slackers, “Don’t make me come down there.” That led to a whole series of them, including “We need to talk. — God” and “What part of ‘Thou shalt not…’ didn’t you understand. — God.” Or how about the taco restaurant in Florida whose simple billboard message was “Welcome to Moe’s! — God.” Talk about connected. And the best the atheists can do in response is a sign that says there’s “probably” no God?

mrothenburger@kamloopsnews.ca

http://www.armchairmayor.wordpress.com