Don’t Let Your Right to Vote be taken Away

What a difficult but entirely unselfish move for Mr. Rae to make today. As disappointed as I am that Mr. Rae will no longer be in the running to the lead the Liberals, I support his decision to focus on bettering the country quickly and leave the sorting out of party leadership until a later date. The public image of the Liberals will benefit from appearing somewhat united at this point and I believe this move today will bode well to show Canadians that Mr. Rae's heart and soul are in the right place. This announcement was made with class and integrity of a man who I hope will continue to seek our support as the leader of Canada in days to come.

I am no longer supporting Mr. Ignatieff for the leadership of the Liberal Party. Instead, I support Mr. Bob Rae who has shown considerable leadership these past few weeks.

Bob understands that the Neo-conservatives are incompetent idealogues who should be booted out at the first opportunity possible. I can't see Ignatieff working closely with Mr. Layton. The two are on opposite ends of the spectrum completely.

Ayman from Alberta

I agree with you 100%. As a former liberal, I’m not sure how we (the people) could help you. The liberal party just doesn’t seem to listen. I hope you don’t back down, and you do what you feel is right. If the liberal party really wants back in the game, I’m sure they will see your point of view. Good luck!

Bob,
I think the need for a new leader is paramount at this time. Unfortunately, Stephane Dion presents a negative image to the average Canadian so this replacement should take place prior to presentation of the budget.

However, I think to select for the interim, either of the two candidates
is a mistake. Personally, I feel that selecting someone like Ralph Goodale as interim leader would be proper.

I totally agree that allowing only the Liberal MPs to select the new leader of the Liberal Party is undemocratic and will alienate a good number of disenfranchised ordinary members throughout the country. The outcome of the last convention was skewed from bottom up. This time it is being screwed top down. At least the last convention was democratic. What can we say now? The MPs should not forget that past coronations have taken the Party only to defeat and disillusionment. Will it be any different this time?

Thank you, Mr. Rae for taking a stand on the issue of letting liberal members everywhere have the opportunity to have a voice regarding who next represents the party as leader.

The more I hear/read and see you speak, the more I am convinced that you are the voice of reason and strength for the Liberal party. Liberal supporters have been on a roller-coaster right along with MP's and the rest of Canada. I, for one, want to support my party's position in challenging the Harper government. I would like to do that by supporting the candidate who has the skill, knowledge and conviction to do so. It is difficult to be behind a party when the issues keep changing daily and even hourly. If I am able to be a spokesperson for what I believe in then I expect to understand and agree with the position the party is taking and to have a say in its direction. I am a BC resident without a Liberal MP in my riding. It is my sincere hope that those MP's who are representing this party find a way to reach out to all membership. To date, you are the person who has responded to recent events with the clarity and conviction of a sound leader. It was positively heartening to hear you take on the issues and the irresponsible behaviour of the Harper government. You are the candidate speaking for those of us without a vote. Consequently, you are the candidate I would like to support. My only concern is that I believe the party and country need to see a leader appointed sooner than later. Not this week, but hopefully by the end of the month. This would allow for time to demonstrate support prior to the House meeting again. Finally, like a previous writer, I would like to see Mr. Dion treated with more dignity. He has integrity and yet he has become the sacrificial lamb of the party while being tarred and feathered by a pompous destructive conservative government. Thank you.

I'm glad that somebody in the Liberal party is keeping the membership in mind. In this crucial time, we need to be heard. And I am one of the many Liberals in this country who doesn't have a Liberal MP to represent me. So I would like a chance to speak -- and vote -- for myself. Thank you for fighting to give us that chance.

I have to say that as a former Ignatieff supporter, the current attempt to undemocratically elect himself through a caucus vote will be making me a Rae delegate. He has demonstrated an inability to deal with the darker forces of the party--the ones that feel backroom politics is an acceptable route to power.

His attempt to grab power through such an unethical manner is his loss and your gain. Sign me up.

Mr. Rae, I also agree 100% with you. I feel that an immediate vote on Wed. would have a further negative impact on the credibility of the Liberal Party. Many Canadians are already disappointed with what's been going on politically the past few months.

As a party member, I was cheated out of my voting rights for the last leadership convention - not that the process was democratic to begin with.

I did contribute money to the party for the most recent election, and would be very inclined to support them again.

But I have also told Doug Ferguson's office in reply to an appeal for funds, and stated publicly in a newspaper letter, that I will not contribute a penny more until I am treated as a full member of the party, imcluding most specifically participation in the choice of a new leader on a one member, one vote system.

I am glad that you support this principle.

Depending on events, if you ar allowed to cmpaign for the leadership in a democratic vote, I will be pleased to financially support your efforts and, so long as the vote is democratic, support the party after the choice is made.

Thank you Bob Rae! Let's not get too carried away, here. Canada needs to have representation ACROSS the nation, let all Liberal delegates vote in a leadership race

Dear Mr. Rae:

I am completely for allowing all members of the Liberal Party their vote in the selection of the new leader and not the crowning of a new leader by the Caucus and Liberal Senators speedily and without allowing the vote come from across Canada.

Thank you for your leadership in choosing the most fair and dignified manner for the all-important selection of a new Party Leader.

Best wishes,

Greeta

I consider myself a pretty liberal guy. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative. I'm a young guy who has voted conservative twice. The big thing is that I don't like the closed door politics and how they elect their leaders, I think it should be an open vote for all Canadians. I'm in the camp that says the liberal party should get their act together with that and other issues before they govern Canada again. I want so bad to be a liberal supporter, but I just can't identify with the party as is.

I agree 200% Bob - please don't let this blatant affront to democracy happen and let Iggy be coronated.

Please Bob, help save our beloved party, AND our country!

Sincerely

JB

I am behind you 100% on the issue of the right to vote! This one ideal defines democracy. I can't imagine a Canada where someone's vote would be stripped away from them. What kind of wacko would want to do that?!

I wish to,lend my support of your proposal that the next leader must be seen to have been elected by all members of the Liberal Party, to avoid divisions and weakness of the party, which will play into the hands of Stephen Harper and the Conservative partyto giving them an advantage for years to come.

I also wish to register my support of your comment that Stephan Dion should be treated with dignity.

Best wishes,
Susanne

I couldn't agree with you more Bob. It is vital for the democratic future of the party and the country that change in leadership is achieved with a fully democratic vote.