CONNIE FOGAL-RANKIN RETIRES AS NATIONAL PARTY LEADER
Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC
CONNIE FOGAL-RANKIN RETIRES AS NATIONAL PARTY LEADER
Will She Run for Vancouver Mayor?
Connie Fogal-Rankin, former COPE Park Commissioner and Leader of the federal Canadian Action Party (CAP) has after four years of leading this small but influential party decided to step-aside in favour of new leadership.
I mention CAP being influential because mainstream parties have picked up on CAP citizen-powered policy alternatives and as a result of Fogal-Rankin's strong, determined and ideas-based leadership, they adopted a number of her and her party's progressive platform.
With Ms Fogal-Rankin's announced retirement plans, rumours are wildly circling and gaining momentum on the Vancouver municipal scene that she would be an excellent Mayoral candidate.
Ms Fogal-Rankin's late husband was the legendary City Councillor Harry Rankin, who had enormous influence in municipal politics. He was well respected by voters across the political spectrum because he offered a clear alternative to what were considered to be establishment politicians with no vision.
Connie Fogal-Rankin, is considered by many to be exactly like her late husband, who was the longest-serving Councillor on the municipal scene.
Many voters are saying that Ms Fogal-Rankin would offer a clear alternative to announced Mayoral candidates, Councillor Peter Ladner and NDP'r Gregor Robertson.
Ms Fogal-Rankin most likely would draw COPE voters since COPE will not be running a Mayoral candidate and many members of COPE do not feel that Gregor Robertson represents their values or politics.
As a former Green party Councillor candidate, Fogal-Rankin, who captured the most votes of a Green candidate in the 2002 election would likely draw significant votes from the progressive, non-opportunistic faction of the Vancouver Greens.
Ms Fogal-Rankin's politics have always been clear. Whether it was mobilizing anti-gambling forces to her Globalization crusade or representing the downtrodden, citizens are crystal clear on where Ms Fogal-Rankin stands on issues.
Ms Fogal-Rankin isn't the type to engage in wishy-washy politics. She knows first hand what happens when you buy into corrupt coalition politics.
Her and her late husband watched as the NDP took over COPE and watered down most of COPE's longstanding progressive policies.
She and her supporters watched mortified as COPE refused to take a stand on the destination Seaport Casino which would have destroyed the DTES. Because Ken Georgetti of the BC Federation of Labour and Premier Mike Harcourt were supporting the casino even as every single group in the DTES was opposing it, COPE not wanting to offend the labour elite, caved and ever since has had difficulty distinguishing itself as the progressive party that Harry Rankin built.
So with the 2008 municipal election looming and once again COPE appearing to be caving to the NDP-affiliated and controlled Vision party, the time seems perfect, according to many activists, for Connie Fogal-Rankin to consider offering herself up as an alternative to voters not comfortable with what they consider the machine politics of Vision or the NPA.
Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com
posted by Jamie Lee Hamilton @ 11:01 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Now that sounds like a full endorsement for Connie, well deserved - I am sure. Does this mean you have jumped off the Peter Ladner band wagon, darling?
Oh you pesky NDP types. I love you because you read my blog and many of you, I consider my friends and that includes you President Raigen.
For the record, I have many friends who come from the left, of the political spectrum. They are long-time friends and of course talk politics with me. They suggested their dream candidate for Mayor is Connie Fogal-Rankin.
They see Gregor Robertson as an opportunist who lacks the political credentials to be Mayor of Vancouver. They actually see him as a more mild-mannered version of Larry Campbell but like Campbell, lacking political smarts.
As a blogger I write about interesting political news and I think the idea of the widow of the late founder of COPE coming back to rescue COPE from the clutches of the NDP municipal farm team, Vision, as really intriguing.
I continue to support Peter Ladner to be Mayor of Vancouver because of his experience and integrity. If he became an arrogant, sel-serving, elitist and out of touch politician only then would I re-consider my decision.
I'm a Peter Ladner fan as I am a Tim Louis fan as I am a Dan Grice fan and without question I'm a Connie Fogal-Rankin fan.
"They see Gregor Robertson as a... ..more mild-mannered version of Larry Campbell but like Campbell, lacking political smarts."
Lacks political smarts?
As a new comer to politics in 2005 he went on to beat a high profile opponent in the nomination race to become Vancouver-Fariviews NDP candidate. He then went on to beat BC Liberal high profile, hand picked candidate, Virgina Greene.
He then became the victor in a three way race to become the mayoral nominee for Vancouver, (and arguably Canada's) biggest civic political party. Even beating the candidate backed by the "big red Liberal machine" by a 3-1 margin.
Well so far Mr Robertson hasn't been impressive in the political arena.
First he didn't live up to his star bulling once elected to the NDP opposition. He was moved out of his critic role originally given to him. I wonder why?
Now on the Vancouver scene he has made three significant blunders already. These being:
1. Claiming there should be a speculator tax on condo's which he thought were sitting empty. BC Hydro has already dissed that argument along with NDP friendly media person, Frances Bula.
2. Saying he wants to address the homeless issue but doesn't want to support shelters.
3. Indecisiveness regarding whether he was running provincially or municipally. I guess even his own supporters had to inform him he was campaigning for Mayor of Vancouver.
Hate to say this but if the NDP leadership including supposed stars such as Mr. Robertson exercised better political smarts, you might not always find yourselves in opposition.
And talk about your stupidity on the carbon tax. Which is alienating your core supporters.
Further to your points,
1). I think that the tax on empty condos is a good idea and it shows the "thinking outside the box" that has been lacking from the leadership over at 12th and Cambie. The idea is still at its incubancy stage. I'll be watching for an articulated, thorough, policy announcement in the near future.
2). You also claim that you are concerned with the homeless issue, yet you, like Peter Ladner/Sam Sullivan, are against a moratorium on SRO's. Ladner/Sullivan and you, apparently, are content on seeing the tenants evicted so the slumlords can do a bit of renovations and jack up the rents.
3). Indecisiveness? What was it? Two? Three? days after he won the nomination that he made his decision? The audacity!
Enjoy the weather.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Well Kurtis since you are the Secretary for Vancouver/Burrard NDP constituency, I thought you might be smarter than thinking a tax on Condo's is the answer to the affordability or homelessness issue here in the City. Further, what Condo's are sitting empty? What are the numbers?
Are you suggesting that even if there were condo's sitting empty that these would be affordable housing for young people, students, seniors, people on fixed incomes etc?
Vision, thinking outside the box? What did this bring us. Oh yes a Casino in Hastings park, a Councillor who was too lazy to walk 6 blocks home and got into his car drunk then hid it from the public for over a year and your 2005 Mayoral candidate receiving over $1000,000 from a convicted felon. Hm.
I wonder if these are the types of politics we might expect from Spencer?
First, I am not writing on behalf of any body, or any other person other than myself, and I would appreciate it if you would not insinuate else wise.
No, I do not think it is "the answer" to homelessness and affordable housing issues. I do feel that it is a step in the right direction and an idea with merit that at the very least deserves to be looked at.
I'm not about to get into a casino debate with you but I will say this, citizens of Vancouver did not refrain from gambling simply because Vancouver did not offer slots and such. What was happening was that Vancouverites were traveling to other jurisdictions, most notably Richmond, and gambling there. Vancouver was losing out on this potential revenue, yet Vancouverites were still gambling. I may not have fully supported the decision at the time, but I can appreciate some of the justifications.
Kurt aka Kurtis.
I'm only inferring that you are on the riding executive of Vancouver-Burrard which will be called Vancouver-West End and which Spencer Herbert is running in.
In regard to gambling expansion, Ms Fogal-Rankin and her supporters oppossed it due to serious concerns over money laundering. This has now been disclosed to the public by the police to be what is happening in casinos. Opposition to this did not have as its intent to stop responsible people from playing card games or games of skill.
It is truly sad that the NDP line seems to be support for money laundering.
First the NDP supports the Seaport casino, then Vision expands gambling in Vancouver and puts a Casino in a city park. NDP'r Jim Green accepts $180,000 from a convicted gambling felon for his Vision mayoral run and now you as a secretary of the NDP riding executive announce Casino's are OK because they provide revenue. Revenue to whom I ask?
Perhaps this is why many citizens are pushing Ms Connie Fogal-Rankin to run for Mayor as she would offer a clear alternative to the bankrupt NDP and its municipal farm team, Vision, who instead of represnting people instead represent special interests such as the development industry, Casino's with its attendent organized crime elements and of course the bar industry. What next Las Vegas-style civic run prostitution?
Oh I hope you are wrong! We need a power house like Connie Fogal to stay in the fight for Canadian soveriegnty. I'm secretly hoping she will tackle some sort of legal battle against the SPP.
Long live free Canada.
So much for "free" Canada. I don't edit the comments on my channel, let the world say what it wants, politically correct, right, rude, or not.
COMMENTS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tes0rcrPffc
Thanks for your time. Have a great day.
Kathleen Moore
HABEAS CORPUS CANADA
The Official Legal Challenge
To North American Union
www.habeascorpuscanada.com
VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyforcanada
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