11.19.2014 10:04 AM

About that rumour: three questions

1. Have some folks suggested I offer myself up as a Liberal candidate in the next federal dust-up? Yep.

2. Am I a candidate for anything yet? Nope.

3. Should I become a candidate? Well, there’s a few strongly-held opinions on that.  Me, I’m opening up comments for you commenters to comment.

Let ‘er rip.

 

98 Comments

  1. Marc-André Chiasson says:

    If you were prepared to run in my riding of Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, I’d be all for it. Remember, your old friend Jean Chrétien did quite well when he ran in this neck of the woods 🙂

  2. Dave says:

    What riding ?

  3. James Hanna says:

    Hell yeah

  4. Chris Cudmore says:

    Nope.

    You’d be a distraction. Let’s face the truth. Your forte is politics, not governance. You regularly comment on the the politics, the race, the contest. And you’re damn good at it. But I don’t see you as a policy person. Stay in the back room where you can curse and swear all you want; Where you can contribute more than you could as an elected member.

    Besides, my Twitter feed would suffer.

  5. Billy Boy says:

    Well, it would explain your attack on Craig Scott. As an actual progressive who wants to see Scott keep his seat, I’d say go for it.

    • Warren says:

      As an actual New Democrat who doesn’t use his real name, too!

      • Billy Boy says:

        Not a New Democrat, certainly not a card carrying one. Progressive, leftist (two terms Liberals have unfortunately appropriated for political gain) would probably be more accurate. Real name is Bill Stewart, if that matters any. Besides thinking Scott is a fabulous and credentialed progressive for the riding, I think you are at your best when you are in non-partisan mode. My two cents: you are too emotional, vested and can be irrational when you are working in the name of electoral power (sometimes it has worked for you, but lately not so much: Ignatieff, Pupatello, Chow). The best analyses you offer are those where there is no obvious ulterior political motive.

  6. Christian says:

    Warren. You know first hand what a drain, physically, mentally and financially being a candidate for any party can be. I think anyone who wants to run should and let the democratic process take its course. But I firmly believe that in order to do so any candidate needs to be in tip top emotional, spiritual and mental health because campaigns are a slog (having money helps but there are ways to get that and as for the physical stuff you need a good, no BS campaign manager who will make sure you eat and rest). From your “Dear John” postings I gather you have gone through a hell of a lot and I really hope you are getting better. That is my only concern. If you feel you’re now in a “good place” to run and take on the challenge that it is, than go for it.

    Just out of curiousity if you do run will it be in Beaches-East York?

    CG

    • Warren says:

      Folks who have approached me have approached me about #tordan. BEY has several excellent Grit contenders.

    • Mike Bluth says:

      Christian,

      The emotional, spiritual and mental health question is an excellent one. Most of us face challenges in our lives. We don’t all post about them online. That is something that will impact the race if WK decides to run. It’s unfortunate that he ignored that part of your post and only answered the riding question again. Was this post simply an ego boost?

      What would happen to the mental state when people who disagree with WK can’t be called a**holes for not using their ‘real names’? Or threatened with a lawsuit for ‘potentially’ libelous posts. I don’t use my real name because the costs of defending a frivolous lawsuit are astronomical unless you are a member of the legal profession. It’s a means of bullying non-lawyers and just being a jerk to lawyers. Wow you get to post an apology from someone you bullied, bravo!

      An elected official just can’t do that. Will the skin thicken overnight? Will the removal of the bully club impact the mental state negatively?

      Many of the commenters here have been involved with campaigns and/or worked as staffers. The slightest involvement at that level leads to a natural question “what about me?” Does WK know what it takes to run a local campaign? Of course. Does that mean he’d win, if allowed to run? Absolutely not. Why would the hipsters abandon Craig Scott?

      Will JT allow the candidacy?

      How many mean-spirited detractors would want to see a WK candidacy simply for the potential of a meltdown?

  7. Christian says:

    Ah! Just saw your earlier reply to a similar question (RE: what riding).

  8. Ryan says:

    Please run! Watching you lose on your own, for once, instead of tanking other people’s campaigns will be so much fun to watch.

    Nothing screams loser like Warren Kinsella, these days.

  9. Peter says:

    First, have someone vet every post and comment you’ve made here and satisfy yourself you can defend them if blindsided. The Internet is forever.

  10. Ronald O'Dowd says:

    Warren,

    If they are serious they would have been quietly putting out feelers for some time now. Call it an off-the-record romance.

    Two things: make sure the Ms. is enthusiastically on board — and most important of all, follow what the gut is telling you. It already knows the answer.

  11. Colin says:

    Go for it. As a liberal.

  12. Francis Killik says:

    “Let ‘er rip,” ok:

    1. No one has approached you to run, you have approached them and have been trying to create the illusion of a buzz around you. You started the rumour yourself.

    2. Correct, you are not currently a candidate. And considering all the nasty things you have had to say about Liberals, at Liberals and to Liberals since the provincial leadership race (all of which have been neatly saved and stored), in addition to all the legal actions currently launched against you, those forthcoming and your financial situation, I would be shocked if you could even be greenlit.

    3. No, you should not be come a candidate, you are un-electable. But if you are going to try (my prediction is this will be used as an opportunity to get rid of you in one swift swoop), might as well be in TorDan where if you survive the nomination process, you will be destroyed by the NDP.

    • Warren says:

      Another undecided!

      But, no, my friend Dennis Mills came up with this one, not me.

      Otherwise, I look forward to your continued support. God bless.

      • Greg Vezina says:

        If this was Dennis Mill’s idea, then it must be a very good one, because Dennis has had few that were not, and notwithstanding the lack of support he received from the Liberal party her represented so well for almost 20 years, during which he brought the Pope, the SARS Concert, the Family Farm fundraisers, was the first real green in parliament, voted his consciene and told the truth. No wonder he is no longer in politics himself, but you Warren could be part of a big change if you ran for the None of the Above party and only on three policies, REAL electoral and legislative Reform, and Referendum and Recall laws. I cannot see you blindly following the leader, but I can see you leading the followers.

  13. Patrick Deberg says:

    Well you really have no options sir. Your country needs you!

  14. harvey bushell says:

    I suppose we should ask you first… do you want to run?

    Personally you seem to have a personality that’s not ideally suited to run… you seem to be somewhat volatile and tend to shoot from the hip. I’m not criticizing because I’m like that too a lot of the time but I know I’d never be a good politician because, like you, I’d be inclined to just tell some people to fuck off.

  15. James Bow says:

    Whatever the outcome, it’s sure to be interesting. I’d watch.

  16. doconnor says:

    I don’t know. If you get elected someone may do something you see as a betrayal of your loyalty and you’ll end up quitting caucus and sitting as an independent.

  17. MississaugaPeter says:

    Are you not too old? Or has the posse realized that they need to have some token punk, error, old fart running?

    Personally, as I wrote it here, you should have run for Toronto councillor. You would have the freedom to speak your mind and not be accountable to anyone but you and your constituents.

    As Liberal candidate, you will go crazy every time The Entourage does something you do not think is wise. You will be bald before the election.

    You will need to start door knocking now.

    You will have to relearn to hold your tongue.

    I think it would be wiser if your better half ran.

    IMO.

    But if you do run, I will be the first to donate to your campaign.

    • MississaugaPeter says:

      Still have not heard the subject matter of your new book.

      Was it an autobiography?

      If yes, than you are not only ready to be an MP, but prime minister or president.

  18. You’d be a fine candidate.

    Amongst other things, you are definitely party loyal, but not to a fault.

    You are also smart (a feature often lacking in Ottawa and Queen’s Park these days), but not to a fault.

    The downside I see is this: as a pundit (or raconteur) you have the ability to opine openly on other than partisan lines; this adds to your credibility and reliability significantly; those would both necessarily diminish somewhat due to the taint of being subject to whipping (by which I mean, the Party Whip, of course — no Ghomeshi-gate stuff here).

    Another downside is, SFH might suffer. (Although being an MP hasn’t hurt Charlie Angus’ rock/folk sideline any.)

    And to those who think you’ve made this issue up, I admit that I am one of those who have asked if you would, and suggested that you should, run.

    Of course, now that I am adamantly opposed to Justin Trudeau (I mean, really adamantly), I would prefer that if you did run federally, you run for the NDP. Or, frankly, Conservative. You’d make a great Conservative. Other than not being conservative; but I doubt you’d be entirely alone in that. …okay…run Independent.

  19. Tiger says:

    As a Tory, there’s nothing in Toronto-Danforth electorally for my crew.

    If the trend of the last year continues and the LPC has indeed collected together the centre-left vote in the Greater Toronto Area, you’ll win. If not, no-one on Team Grit will carry that seat.

    Objectively, a switch from Scott to Kinsella moves the Parliament of Canada to the right, so I’m for it.

    Finally, it’d provide free entertainment for all of us.

    So… what the heck, have fun with it.

  20. smelter rat says:

    I suggest you read Party of One first, then decide.

  21. Stephen Dame says:

    Having just worked the Mahoney in OWN, I’d warn that it is tough to build a membership selling team in a “foreign” riding in just a few weeks (assuming this is called soon, as they all seem to be). Do you have in roads? Do you have form sellers who could move 500 memberships in a short amount of time? The retroactive cut off disqualified hundreds of our voters, so it’s not just selling them, it’s selling them fast. I say go for it regardless, but a local operation of sellers is a must.

  22. Rob Carter says:

    Yes. Please run and more importantly WIN in Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke. 🙂

  23. Tired of it All says:

    Dennis Mills. A true maverick! On a serious note, I say do it. What have you got to lose? It’s not like you are unknown in your positions. And anyone who comes at you from the angle that you always must have nice things to say about dumb policy or practice doesn’t understand the true workings of a political party. Or they are Conbot seals, nervous that people without speaking notes can actually muster their own thoughts. Oh, wait. That’s one and the same. Groupthink is so NeoCon. Also, I’d love to see you manage the communications. As a sometimes practitioner of it, your campaign would make a great case study.

  24. graham watt says:

    Play to your strengths. Stay where you can offer your talent and feelings unfettered.
    You’d never thrive in a cage.

  25. MS says:

    I don’t really support your politics (I’m much more lefty) but I do think you’re a smart guy, Warren, and I’ll give you completely accurate, honest advice: do not run in Toronto Danforth. You’ll lose in anything except the waviest of Liberal wave elections, the kind of wave never before seen. That riding is NDP through and through. They have majority support there, not plurality. Majority. If the NDP has five seats in Canada after the 2015 elections, Tor-Dan will be one of them.

    Take a look at Cathy Dandy in the municipal elections, the incumbent NDP TDSB trustee. She didn’t clap hard enough for the NDP establishment so they picked a new trustee, a nobody named Jennifer Story. Story picked up a majority (not plurality) of votes and is the new trustee. NDP newbie pick vs. high quality incumbent previous NDP pick, and NDP pick wins by a mile.

    Grant Gordon, also a perfectly decent candidate, gets smashed by a mile by Craig Scott… and now Scott is the incumbent.

    If you want to run to raise your profile or something, anything except “to win”, hey, go ahead. But be aware your chances of winning are zero unless Stephen Harper and Tom Mulcair go on live TV and start smashing kittens with hammers.

  26. davie says:

    …you want to…and your kids would love it…

  27. Al in Cranbrook says:

    FWIW…

    I’m sure you’re all too familiar with the duties of an MP, particularly at the constituency level. Attending, glad handing, smiling a lot, attending, listening, speeches, attending…and did I mention, attending?

    Are you ready to give up some freedoms, most notably the freedom to say what’s really on your mind? Something that’s been a way of life for you for a long time now.

    Is your family ready for the commitment demanded of your time for the next however many years? And the scrutiny that your life, past and present, will come under the day after you win the nomination?

    Do you have that “fire in your belly” to be of service?

    And finally, the biggy, IMHO…

    Are you ready to follow Justin Trudeau, not just as Liberal leader, but possibly (remote IMHO) as PM of Canada? Do you honestly think he’s the man Canada needs as Prime Minister? Given the times we are in, and the deteriorating state of world affairs?

    Is this what you want at this stage of your life? The glory of winning an election tends to be fleeting, and reality sets in pretty quickly thereafter.

    Are you capable? Absolutely! But is that the real question at hand? None of what I’ve said here is news to you, just more like a reminder.

  28. Luke says:

    As long as you keep your inner political strategist in check. He is concerned with appearances and impressions. They matter of course, but if you become an elected representative you owe people more than PR relations. Go by your values.

  29. Patrice Boivin says:

    You can ask people’s opinions but ultimately it’s your decision.

    Maybe at this time in your life you’re ready to take that plunge.

    I would say only do it if you really feel that as an MP you might have real influence over what’s going on.

    I don’t really care what political party people are running under as long as they are honest, hard-working people who aren’t in it just for their own personal benefit. Oh and who aren’t crazy, basing their decisions on belief systems instead of on reality. But probably more than half the electorate is crazy and/or don’t care, it’s a hard decision you’re making there Warren.

    Whatever you decide is good.

  30. debs says:

    yes!you.would.be.awesome!

  31. Arnold Murphy says:

    Where will you do most harm to the right?

  32. Tim says:

    Would Trudeau allow it? You’ve been somewhat (refreshingly) outspoken in both positive and negative ways about him since he took over as leader, but would the LPC not worry that your soundbites find their way into Conservative party attack ads?

    Also, can you really bite your tongue as much as would be required?

  33. King Prick says:

    My two cents… I ran for a Liberal nomination myself a few years ago but the Liberals, under Iggy, wanted to acclaim a candidate so they found some way to knock me out of contention for not filing a tax return from the previous year. It was a joke. So, a bunch of Liberals and some PC’s got together and asked if I was willing to start a new party. I was idealistic and in 2008, we did. Then, I ran in two by-elections. Vaughan, against Fantino and Danforth after the passing of Jack. The televised debate with Fantino was fun. He’s a rube. At the sametime thouigh, he’s a PR whore and does well to get the votes.

    At any rate, what I learned from running is this: There is no candidate that’s smarter or better equipped to run than the voter his or herself. In fact, most candidates, even the ones for the big three are frankly, stupid and stupid is what we as voters, seem to want. I became so disenchanted with the political process and the criminality of all politicians from Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Green—–oh and let’s not forget that peach of a mayor we had; that I have now decided to act on my constitutional right to stop voting. By our own constitution Canadians have a right to peace, order and good government. We don’;t have it. I’m done giving a shit. Nobody in Ottawa gives a rats ass about Canadians. Voting every four years is just a shell game designed to make the populace feel like they’re making a difference. Don’t sully yourself, Warren. You’re too smart.

    On another note, unless you can get into Trudeau’s inner circle and enact real change—Like: 1) an energy program and a Canadian fuel reserve—-no Canadian should be paying more than .70 cents a litre. It’s our gas FFS!!! 2) Raise corp taxes to 2001 levels, 3)ratify NAFTA and all other free trade agreements to prevent corporations from suing government, 3)de-militarize our police forces and put violent cops in jail, 4)investigate every conservative scandal and charge the criminals, 5)denounce the USA on their torture of others, and declare certain people from the Bush and Obama administrations personae non grata in Canada, 6)throw white collar criminals that steal savings or defraud the public in jail for life, 7) STOP sending ANY Canadian from facing trial in the USA—like Marc Emery for example—-I might vote if even a few of these items are addressed. Until then, you’ll just be another talking head (whom I like) spouting useless shit about useless policy that is uselessly designed to make the owners of this country rich while the rest of us serfs continue to get fucked out of our pay with bullshit taxes and bullshit inflation.

    You will never change anything for the better. Politicians are toothless and spineless. Why become one? (When Trudeau or anyone stands up for me, I’ll vote but he never will and once you’re in office Warren, neither will you. You’ll wind up being a toadie, shackled to policy and lobbyists.

    • smelter rat says:

      Holy shit! i’d vote for you in a second. Serious.

    • debs says:

      you have said everything I have felt in a decade of watching politics go down the shame spiral of corporate hell.
      thanks for giving it a shot, wish we had more people like you to fight the morons on our behalf. But by the time the idealists make it as a contender they have already been chewed up and reformed as the corporate borg.
      right now there are two politicians that are trying their damndest to make a difference. Elizabeth May and Nathan Cullen.
      I would love if Warren did make it to the inner circle as he might have the smarts and strength to get some of those things you ask for.

  34. Christina Monroe says:

    I would donate money. You would be a kick ass MP. You would also not put up with BS and tell people what is what, something I really appreciate.

  35. Kevin says:

    Go for it. You’d be great. And I get the distinct impression you’d wipe the floor with the NDP incumbent.

    All the best.

  36. sezme says:

    I’d miss this website. But sure, go legalize some marijuana or whatever.

  37. Jeremy says:

    Didn’t you muse in this space about running, at some level, a few years ago? I can’t find the post now, but I thought you had more or less committed to running at the next possible opportunity. Am I just imagining this?

  38. Jeff Ferrier says:

    I don’t live in Toronto-Danforth so my opinion doesn’t matter much. And you know I’d vote NDP because that’s how I roll. However, I believe voters and democracy benefit when there are hotly-contested elections featuring multiple strong, capable contenders and a robust public debate of ideas. So – if you want to do it – and you’ve got your family’s support – why not go for it?

  39. Chris says:

    As a Tor-Dan voter, I say run. I’d vote and volunteer for you too.

  40. Kaplan says:

    If The Boss backs ya (as I’m sure he would) that’d be enough for me. You’ll have no end of great campaign advice from that quarter, too.

    Do it.

  41. Nic Coivert says:

    What does Chretien think, have you talked to him about this? If JC says go, GO!

  42. Patrick says:

    Are you electable? Are you in a field of electable people or unelectable people? There’s something to be said for being the best of the bad bunch. Are you just going to come off as a Soknacki policy wonk, smart but unlikeable or can you get past the inevitable “insider, elitist status and appeal to the common man. Look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions and try to lie to yourself as little as possible. And remember, as Cliff Clavin’s mother explained, yes, your mother loves you but biological necessity plays a part. All that said, if you have some ideas that you want to get out in the ether and think they are important, run. I believe that once something is out it’s almost impossible to get back in and that can be worth the effort.

  43. Sparky says:

    Did you keep your lawn signs from your stellar North Van campaign? Remember the one you lost to a Reform Party garden gnome?

  44. ernest lustig says:

    Warren, you know your game is not Ottawa. I cant for the love of me see you sitting in the House and listen to all the nonsense that goes on. You could probably make that kind of money in a good weekend, Cant see you running back and forth from Ottawa every weekend. I think you are pulling everybodys leg . Stay where WE CAN USE YOUR TALENTS TO WIN ELECTIONS And nobody does a better job than you in the backroom.

  45. John Daly says:

    I say “yes”! Over the years and even when I’ve harshly (and often unfairly) critical of you I have come to believe you care DEEPLY about the process and the values we have come to identify as liberalism. My fear, Warren, is that because you have been willing to get down and dirty you will be vulnerable to many many attacks. And that, my friend, could be ugly. If you have the heart and stomach for it, then by God we sure need Harper sent to the pasture. Good luck.

  46. Marcus says:

    A few disparate but heartfelt thoughts from an honest-to-God non-partisan on this:

    a) Don’t, as I suspect has happened to you in the past, let the decision be made by inertia. Weigh the options proactively, and make it. Having made it, be all in. There’s always going to be risks, distractions, haters and doubts. Either commit, or don’t, and decide with reasonable lead time either way. Think in weeks, not months. The hour is later than many realize in this lamentably sad Parliament’s – and perhaps the Harper era’s – sorry life. If you DO want in, you’ll need time to build a proper team, canvass, and moderate your image. If you DON’T want in, obfuscation may deter other driven, capable Liberals from stepping forward or doing the necessary work to win. Such is the unfair but unavoidable reality of a high profile, and, of leadership.

    b) Recall that for all its civic consequence, politics is a mojo-driven opportunist’s game. Most MPs who have ever served – amazing as many of them are individually – were elected because they pounced when a leader and team were ready to win national power and change Canada. As you’ve intimated here amply and cogently, the nation stands on the cusp of historic change. Many will be swept into – and mercifully, out of – public office by the coming tide. There will never be a better day than the present to act, if you really still believe in the dream.

    Ask yourself the following fundamental question: would you rather, looking back on the first day of Canada’s 42nd Parliament, be a guy who took the risk, poured his heart into the fight and lost, or a guy who decided it wasn’t worth it to try?

    And a second question: are you ready to live with that decision, potentially for the rest of your life?

    Stark but tough choices, again: if the dream persists.

    c) Use your characteristic intensity to your advantage, but consciously moderate it. Remember that the edge and ruthlessness that make a strong operative can be liabilities if perceived by the public in the man/woman before the camera’s glare. Most Canadians are good, honest, hardworking people who rightly dismiss the pathologies of professional political hacks as what they are: character flaws necessary for survival and victory in a perilously, institutionally competitive industry largely irrelevant if not actively off-putting to most citizens.

    d) The Olivia implosion, and the recent 905 disaster both demonstrate one unassailable reality: the Layton effect is now over in the GTA, Tom Mulcair is demonstrably incapable of either sustaining or rebuilding it, and Justin Trudeau is about to utterly dominate Canada’s richest electoral arena in 2015. Countless others realize this, and are preparing to capitalize upon the civic and personal opportunity the coming sea change represents. Do you – in your heart of hearts – believe you offer something of value to your community and Canada that they don’t?

    d) Finally, and most consequentially of all, you’ve used your considerable passions and intensity to win fights and lose them on behalf of candidate good and terrible alike for decades now. Do you, at long last, want a seat at the table yourself?

    Answer each of these questions honestly, and you’ll find your answer, sir. Happy contemplations. Whatever choice you make will be the right one.

  47. David Trottier says:

    Warren, I don’t know you at all but sort of enjoy the brawls you get into almost hourly. Your track record recently against Wynn and with Chow didn’t turn out so well but you have some good history too. But you are just not cut out to be a candidate. You love to brawl, to shout, to criticize. Let’s face it, you’re a s## disturber and proud to be one. That is why you have a grudging respect for the Fords – they love to scrap as well. I know, Chretien got to the top with a similar personality but lil Jean rode on Trudeau’s coattails and those days are gone. I can’t see in the lobby of the H of C playing trying to clean up after Justin’s verbal gaffes and you know that with your loose lips that you will be nowhere near the levers of power, where you can have an influence on public policy (which is what I assume you are after…thinking nobly of you of course). So marry Kirbie, love your kids, get a haircut (you’re rapidly going bald, my friend. Embrace it…the long hair behind a forehead you could sell advertising on is not a good look), keep laying bad guitar in some band (which you are getting too deaf to hear), and enjoy life. My two cents.

  48. Ridiculosity says:

    Times are changing. Just do it.

    In the recent 2014 provincial election, long-time Toronto Danforth NDP MPP Peter Tabuns only managed to squeak by Liberal Rob Newman with 3,257 votes.

    Red is the new Orange.

  49. jeff316 says:

    I think the question is this – do you want to be a Member of Parliament?

    Too many MPs and MPPs get into this business for the love of the party. The politics. The debate. The attention. The profile. The fight. The team. The campaign. Campaigning, even for a losing candidate, is such a shot of adrenaline. Such an ego boost.

    Yet a campaign accounts for one month out of 48 – a measley two percent of the time you’re going to spend over a four year period.

    Too few MPs or MPPs know what the job entails before they run. Many dislike it. Within 24 hours after the campaign, it’s pretty thankless

    That being said, I suspect you’ve already asked yourself this and already know your answer and probably know your intention. If you’re serious about being an MP, I’d choose another riding as T-D has a good shot of going Liberal with the right candidate and you’re not it for that riding. If you just wanna run, T-D is perfect but you’re taking a potentially winnable seat away from the party.

  50. Duane says:

    Warren, I have no doubt you would make an excellent MP. However, I’m not sure you would do well under Mr. Trudeau. He is not the sharpest knife in the drawer at the present time, although he may well mature into a good/great politician someday. Are you going to be able to toe the line if the “good/great politician” does not materialize? I can see you becoming the Garth Turner of the LPC. I believe you are way too intelligent and outspoken to put your name to some of the nonsense that is going to keep coming out of Trudeau’s mouth. Think of the debates and what JT might look like coming out from a dual Harper/Mulcair creaming. Do you really want to be associated with that? You know how politics work at a deep level so I know you have a much better understanding of party loyalty than do I, but I know my personality and my mouth would get the better of me, sooner than later.

  51. Ian Howard says:

    “PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON’T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT PEOPLE LIKE ME AS A MEMBER”. Groucho Marx

    Do you really think you could live within a system that stifles dissent and demands conformity.

  52. Ty says:

    Bon chance.

    PS Was this a test to see how strangely obsessed commenters on this site get with your life? Wow, some weird stuff down here.

  53. bigcitylib says:

    On the one hand, you would be unable to comment freely on the state of political affairs in Canada as you do now. On the other hand, you would be in a position to suggest Senate appointments to Justin and the PMO. As we both know, there are many talented Canadians who would be proud to serve the nation in that capacity. If it would grease the skids, I have a $5.

  54. Don McGowan says:

    Go for it!!!! Parliament needs more passionate, energetic, capable and dedicated, Big Thinkers like you!!! I can’t think of a better Candidate that represents true Liberal values than you. Most of all, I expect that you would love the job!

  55. Just Askin' says:

    My advice is to ask yourself whether this is really what you want to do, or if this is something you have tossed around but never had a passion for. At this point in your career, hopefully you know who you are well enough to know whether this is something you would love. Odds are that you already know whether you want to do this or not, and you are looking for people here to validate your position. If you can look inside, the right answer is already there.

  56. BrianK says:

    As you know, the actual business of governance, even in a majority situation, is a long, unsexy slog. You never have carte blanche to do The Right Thing – there’s always a stakeholder to please, a fundraiser ticket to sell. Is that what you want? I believe you’ve run once before, so there’s obviously some part of you that wants to be The Man and not just The Man Behind The Man. I get that. Lots of backroom-types feel that way, and some do eventually run, and some do win. But from afar, it seems to me that you live for the fight. When you’re in power, you can’t just fight all the time. You have to be congenial. You have to sometimes suffer fools gladly. Is that really you? Ultimately, you need a good answer to the fundamental question: why do you want to run? If you want to run because you have clear ideas about how to make Canada a better country and believe that a Trudeau government can and will implement those ideas, then give it a shot. But be honest with yourself – would this just be an act of vanity? Are you running just to know if you have what it takes to win? If that’s the real reason, do the patriotic thing and step aside for someone who genuinely has some fire in their belly. Write some books, talk on TV, spend time at the lake with your family. Doesn’t sound so bad at all.

  57. Derek Pearce says:

    You can obviouslyhandle the rough n tumble of a campaign but if you were to be elected I’d miss your candour here on this site– you’d naturally have to clamp down on your real thoughts here (no matter how much you protest to the contrary). But Craig Scott certainly is too comfortable and smug in his little bastion here in Toronto Danforth, so best of luck if you do decide to take him on!

  58. Peter says:

    #tordan !!?!

    I have family members (aka new members) just a-waitin!! 😉

  59. Peter says:

    My second use of members was suppose to read “memberships”. You’d have my vote, and help!

  60. terence quinn says:

    One thing I have noted about federal politics is that the local level fight for a nomination can be the dirtiest of all politics. The bickering and intra party fighting, in all parties, locally is something to behold. I think you will do well in that environment as you can take a punch and counter with your own right/left hook. As an MP you will need to be fully engaged with a job that has challenges in order not to die of boredom.

  61. W the K - No, not Warren says:

    Can you play ball? You’ll have to decide that almost immediately.

    I can’t see you playing ball.

    W the K in BEY

  62. JH says:

    Are you frickin’ crazy? You know you’d be on the outs with the Trudeau gang almost from the getgo. You won’t be able to abide a lot of their BS and I don’t believe he can stand up to any of them. Are you going to knuckle under when the message comes down from the head honchos in the leaders office? I can’t believe you would ever think so. Even if you and JT won, you’d be sitting as an indepencant within 6 months, and you’ll never get a smell at a Cabinet position where you could actually accomplish something. I’m betting right now the machinations are already under way amongst the hog town insider’s crowd, to ensure you never get a smell at this. I’d say most in Trudeau’s circle probably hate and fear you before you set foot in the door.

  63. John Lawson says:

    Warren — you should consider it. I think you want to do it and you have a lot to offer. Wanting to do something in your heart is imperative. You would be passionate and tireless as a politician. You have a great deal of experience participating and observing the political fabric of the country. You have some baggage — but anyone that is on record with their opinions has baggage — not a bad trait.
    The only thing you need to be sure of is the “team player” nature of the role in a party.. You have an independent thinker streak ( understatement ) and you have to evaluate how that will work in a party discipline world. And JT will have party discipline up and down the platform.

  64. Tyrone says:

    Don’t listen to a bunch of mostly pseudonymous dudes on the internet: you have people you love, and trust, who will tell you truth, not just want you want to hear or what they think you want to hear. I suspect they will tell you not to run, and you should listen to them.

    On the other hand, as a punk, I suspect you’d rather regret the things you’ve done than the things you haven’t, so we’ll see…

    There are lots of ways to contribute in politics, and to build a better country; putting your name on signs and ballots is one way, but it might not be what you’re best at. So talk to your kids, your partner, and your closest, harshest, most honest friends, the ones who will support you no matter what you do, even if you don’t take their advice. But listen carefully to them, because it is easy to get caught up in the ego stuff in this crazy business.

    Best of luck with this important decision.

  65. Robin says:

    Do what you do best: help the Liberals form a government. Senator Kinsella has a nice ring to it. Especially since you’d be an independent Senator who is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. A taskless thanks for a political task master.

  66. Felipe Morales says:

    Warren: George Bush once said about Michael Dukakis on a debate (answering a question on whether there was anything nice he could say about his opponent) “Well there was a saying back in Texas about some commentator giving opinions and advice and I was told…well that guy has never run for Sheriff ever, well Michael Dukakis has run for sheriff and so has George Bush”… Warren, I love your books, your tweets, blogs, comments articles and TV appearances. If you run, do it for you and what YOU want to accomplish. Succeed, fail, time and the fates will tell, but if you never actually run (again), you’ll never really know. I remember when you ran in BC in 97, you had a tough riding and a tough break with the Reform candidate. But now, they are in power, they are changing the country, you should face them off

  67. Leon says:

    JUMP Warren, JUMP on the Justin bandwagon because it looks like his coattails are long and strong as Canadian women and some men are going gaga over the charismatic Liberal leader who will need a lot of help and guidance either as Leader of the OOP or even PM of all of Canada! Reputations and fortunes will be made sailing along with Justin. Go for it, that is if Justin green-lights your candidacy and that remains a big IF…..!

  68. Marc-Andre Chiasson says:

    You may not like the messenger but the message may be useful for your current thought process: http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120169/canadas-former-liberal-party-leader-offers-advice-young-liberals

  69. Corey says:

    This only requires a short answer. Go for it! If you do I’ll be in whatever riding you choose next fall to lend a hand.

  70. Todd says:

    Warren – by asking this question, tells me that you really want to run. Run.

    Anyone who is passionate about politics has deeply engrained ambitions about running for office. There will always be a hundred reasons not to run. The only reason you need to run is because you want to. Everything else is noise.

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