This year is the first time I've ever been politically active, beyond merely voting. I joined the Conservative party because I believe we MUST become involved if we want to start influencing the talking points and direction things go. There is simply no other way. If you're not at the table, don't expect them to pay you any attention.
I may or may not vote Conservative in the election (I like PPC) but I joined the party because voting for leader gives me more oomph towards influencing that national conversation.
With that said, I'm curious on people's views on Conservative candidates.
I know Poilievere is the front runner, but I'm just not sure I trust him. He seems like a great bull dog, but I often think that might be a tool a different leader would love to have in his toolbox. There's a rumor that he's involved in the WEF but he's publicly addressed and disavowed that and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that count because I'm feeling generous.
My personal favorite is Leslyn Lewis - she seems measured and well versed on the actual issues and appears more interested in taking action than in being in the spotlight. She's also the only truly pro-life candidate, which tends to align her with all the other pro-family values etc. The MSM will have a hard time using their normal cards on her, being a black woman, LOL.
Roman Baber seems decent (I think he's my #2 ballot). Has a strong track record of actually speaking up throughout covid, paying the price for that, and understands that our very democracy is at stake here.
Scott Aitchinson... I admittedly don't know a ton about him but the few sound bites I've heard haven't distinguished him much. Still seems to toe a lot of the globalist lines IMO.
Jean Charest........... well, he's not getting anywhere CLOSE to my ballot card.
I'm very interested to hear what others have to say here.
I can only add that I don't necessarily trust Pierre P. He says some of the right things but he never goes far enough. I do understand that it would be political suicide to promote the ideas discussed on this site. But, he has to be better than Chrystia Freeland and her lackey Justin.
I've heard good things about Leslyn but I need to do more investigation.
I used to belong to the Young Progressive Conservatives back in the 70s (go Joe Clark) but haven't voted Conservative in years due to crappy leadership.
Keep us posted on your adventures in the Conservative party.
Yeah - it is precisely the crappy leadership issue you pointed out that prompted me to get involved. Leslyn actually won the popular vote in the last leadership race, but lost overall. We just need more people in the fray supporting true conservative values, not the watered down liberal trash we've come to expect from the party lately.
The PPC is interesting - I like Max Bernier, and I think overall, they would align most closely to what most of us on this site would consider to be our values, but they have a long, long way to go before they're a legitimate threat on the national scale.
Well said, fren. That brings a bit more clarity to my own thinking.
IMHO we need something rather huge to shake people out of "this is nice" and make the public realize the core of our democracy is at stake. I don't know what the huge thing will be.
Leslyn? She’s playing the left wing card of black and a woman. No experience as a leader and we don’t want a woman (we have one already Freeland).
PPC has no ground game and Max doesn’t care to make an effort and he didn’t even win his riding. Plus he’s no Christian. At this point he’s only taking chances away from a sure win victory from the Conservatives and PP.
PP is the man for the job and is echoing the same things that Trump has said (bring power back to the people of Canada).
PP is the only one qualified for the job and although one can never trust anyone fully, he says all the right things and has yet to raise any suspicions.
I'm not sure how being black and a woman qualifies as playing left wing cards, lol. More like the cards God dealt her.
Amazin
Then you are the reason we have a dictator. I too like PPC but you have to vote conservative because PPC does not stand a chance. Everyone who voted PPC took away from the conservatives and gave the win to Justin Trudeau. You have to vote conservative and once conservatives are in from there we can build up the PPC. But if you throw your vote on a PPC right now then Justin will still be prime minister after the next election. How can you not know that. The conservatives lost by so few votes and those that voted PPC are responsible for Justin being PM.
In our election you do not vote for the pm you vote for the party. You have to vote the conservative even if you dont like them.. It is the only way to get rid of JT otherwise we are done.
My riding is hardcore conservative, has been for decades.
Unfortunately, under the existing system, it always penalizes fresh parties due to the splitting the vote fear.
I hear what you're saying, but I don't accept that I am the reason Canada has a dictatorship. LOL.