In some ways it was a stirring sight. Tom Mulcair returning to the House of Commons after his humiliating defeat at the NDP leadership convention.
Standing tall and getting a standing ovation.
Two days after his fellow New Democrats made a dramatic show of backing over him, Mulcair appeared in the House of Commons, apparently determined to carry on.
And when the Speaker called on the member for Outremont to ask the sixth question of the afternoon, Mulcair was acknowledged with a standing ovation, not merely from his typically peppy caucus, but from Conservatives and Liberals as well, a seemingly unanimous expression of appreciation.
But in other ways, the sight couldn't have been sadder or more depressing...
It could only happen in Canada. Or at an NDP leadership convention.
First the party gives the leader the boot.
In a dramatic rejection of Tom Mulcair's time as leader of the federal NDP, delegates gathered in Edmonton for the party's convention have voted in favour of launching a new leadership race.
Delegates voted 52 per cent to 48 per cent to proceed with a leadership election.
In no uncertain terms.
Only to allow him to stay on for two more long years.
They complained about the way Tom Mulcair and his party marginalized them during the last election, or treated them like children.
They complained about the way they were sent out to campaign with a boring, conservative-lite platform no young person could get excited about.
Or for that matter any Canadian of any age.
They wrote an open letter to the party demanding a new direction for the NDP, and a return to its left-wing values.
But sadly when the moment of truth arrived, and the NDP youth wing finally got to meet their leader...
Well as you all know, Tom Mulcair is perched precariously on a narrow plank, over the deep blue sea.
With the big question being, will he be standing or swimming on Monday?
But even as he marches or limps towards his destiny, some of the old guard are hobbling out to defend him.
And this has to be the most ridiculous reason I've ever heard for not firing Mulcair.
I watched Tom Mulcair being interviewed by Peter Mansbridge last night, and I have to say I was not impressed.
He still strikes me as more of a professional politician, than a genuine left-wing leader.
I still don't think he's the NDP's future.
And this only reinforces that belief.
It's looking more and more like Tom Mulcair will survive his leadership review. Or at least get a two year reprieve.
New Democratic Party Leader Tom Mulcair should have two years to rebuild the party’s fortunes before being replaced, but that could come sooner if he does poorly in next week’s leadership review, says one of Canada’s most powerful labor leaders.
But while Jerry Dias, a man who I respect, makes a reasonable case for not firing Mulcair.
I still don't believe that he's the man to renew the NDP...
I haven't written anything about the NDP leadership review, because I know some of my NDP friends are still hurting from their disastrous election result. And I didn't want to re-open any wounds.
And also because I think Justin Trudeau is the best prime minister I have ever known, so it's not that I'm unhappy at the way that election worked out.
But I did vote for the NDP, I care about the future of that party.
So I think it's time to list some reasons why I think Tom Mulcair should go.
