01.06.2012 09:02 AM

James Morton for VP

I’m not sure getting my support helps him at all, but I can assure all and sundry that James Morton – my former president when I was on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association – is a guy who richly deserves Liberal delegates’ votes.  He’s top-notch. His web site is here.

15 Comments

  1. SD says:

    I’m not a member of the Liberal Party. However, I have met James a couple of times. I find him to be very knowledgeable and level-headed. He also loves polar bears. He would be a great asset to the Liberal Party as a VP.

  2. OwenP says:

    I’ve also met James and he is a good Liberal. However, I’ve done my research and the VP position should go to a Nova Scotian Liberal, Chris MacInnes. http://www.chrismacinnes.ca
    We need more Liberals from across the country, not just Ontario. Plus, Chris is young and has the past experience. I’d suggest looking him up before you head to the convention.

  3. James Morton says:

    Warren, This is wonderful and your endorsement does mean an awful lot!!! Owen, hey, I’m not THAT OLD!!!!! (And I practice law in Nunavut) — but agreed, check out all the candidates and Chris is a solid Liberal!

  4. BC says:

    I have also done my research. While Chris is a nice guy, he yet another one of those “young” people who has spent his career as a political flunky and now earns his living based on his connections. Yet another Liberal stalwart who figures it is his turn in 2012, on his way to something bigger. That is the last thing we need.

    James has built a successful firm which is not dependent on political connections. He has posted specific ideas and has answered every question put his way. He can help make the changes needed because he can make alliances but is not dependent on them.

    • Michael says:

      Hmm…sounds like Chris could be a Conservative PM some day…lol

    • James Curran says:

      While James may answer questions, it could be argued that he is also a political flunky. He’s run for almost every post that has come available over the last 4 or 5 years. VP Organization, Riding President, Co-Chair of the COP, candidate for MP, etc. etc. etc. Admiirable you say? Sure. Maybe. But there comes a time that you have to get something done and not just be a “placeholder”. My sense if he could accomplish zero change with the second highest position in the party as Co-chair of the Counsel of Presidents, there will be zero he could accomplish as VP English.

      • Gary Gladstone says:

        As you probably know, I am a very good friend of James Morton and his official agent for VP English. We became friends in University and lost touch to reconnect when he became President of the Thornhill Federal EDA a number of years ago. When he was elected President, we were a closed shop, tightly controlled and tightly scripted. Once James was elected President that changed. Our meetings were open, there were discussions about how to do better, how to improve and how to expand the EDA. We reached out to other communities, increased our fundraising and increased the membership. In other words, he was an incredible riding president. It has been a pleasure to work alongside James for the last number of years and see the positive change that he has been a part of. As a direct result of James, as riding President, Thornhill has had the most active youth association since it’s inception. I commend James for stepping forward for the positions when he has been needed and he has contributed, I view this as a positive.

      • James Morton says:

        Jim,

        The Council of Presidents needs major reform and that’s something I learned as Deputy Chair. Since the actual Chair is the President the Deputy actually has no power to do anything unless the Chair allows. Put otherwsie, unless the President wants, the CoP has no power to do anything. That’s why I have argued hard for the CoP to appoint its own Chair. That said, as Deputy I drafted the CoP bylaws (none existed before), sett up an ongoing FB group and met with Riding President across the country.

        As for my work as Riding President and as Candodate I am proud of my record. In both cases I was asked to stand and was hnoured to stand and, after nomination, hold the position. We really did, and are doing, some good work.

        I know what needs to be done; I have seen what works and what doesn’t work . I will do what needs to be done.

      • BC says:

        I don’t know much about Chris. When I googled him, I saw into reports about him running nude videos of an NDP candidate. Is that the same guy who is running for Liberal VP?

        http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20090409/zann_photos_090409/

      • Jan says:

        Mr. Curran – what is your position in the party? You always give off the impression that everything needs to be approved by you.

        • James Curran says:

          Resident shit disturber that gives a voice to those that cannot be heard. Oh, and usually NOT wrong about much when it comes to infighting and internal machinations of the Liberal Party of Canada and its placeholders. Don’t believe me? Ask WK.

  5. James Morton says:

    Jim,

    The Council of Presidents needs major reform and that’s something I learned as Deputy Chair. Since the actual Chair is the President the Deputy actually has no power to do anything unless the Chair allows. Put otherwsie, unless the President wants, the CoP has no power to do anything. That’s why I have argued hard for the CoP to appoint its own Chair. That said, as Deputy I drafted the CoP bylaws (none existed before), sett up an ongoing FB group and met with Riding President across the country.

    As for my work as Riding President and as Candodate I am proud of my record. In both cases I was asked to stand and was hnoured to stand and, after nomination, hold the position. We really did, and are doing, some good work.

    I know what needs to be done; I have seen what works and what doesn’t work . I will do what needs to be done.

    • James Curran says:

      “Since the actual Chair is the President the Deputy actually has no power to do anything unless the Chair allows. Put otherwsie, unless the President wants, the CoP has no power to do anything”

      You had an option sir. You had 308 riding presidents in your pocket that you could have enabled to do anything you wanted over the abusive Mr. Apps. Accepting you had no power is accepting that the Counsel itself is useless as it is only the LPC president that has the real power.

      With all due respect James – and I appreciate the hundreds of hours you spend volunteering for this party – VP English has even less power than the CoP co-chair. If you wanted to get something done you should have run for President. I like your Liberal talent list idea though. Wish I would have thought of that one…oh, wait, I did.

      I’m not one to sugarcoat things.

  6. Grace Gorman says:

    I have known James as a hard-working, intelligent and thoughtful person for many years. He is a heck of a Liberal. He knows this country and is known across this country. He has studied and lived in Atlantic Canada, practised law in Nunavut and lived in the West. He has served several roles in the party and stepped up to be the candidate for Oshawa in the last Federal election. In my opinion, he absolutely has the drive and vision for the VP (English) position. I would encourge all those voting at the convention to Move Forward with Morton!!!!

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