City
Gerard Kennedy Elected in Parkdale-High Park
Gerard Kennedy bested incumbent Peggy Nash in the Parkdale-High Park riding, turning one of Toronto's - and the country's - most hotly contested ridings from orange to red. With almost all polls reporting, Kennedy enjoys a nearly 3,000 vote (8 point) lead over Nash, which is actually not as close as I expected.
Many riding residents headed into their polling place still unsure how they would vote, and it appears the now all-but-confirmed reality of another Harper government weighed heavily on voter's minds.
It's kind of disappointing that Parkdale-High Park was likely decided based on party leadership and not the candidates, as both Kennedy and Nash offer great things to the community. The real shame is that only one of the candidates can go to Ottawa.
The NDP will feel the sting of this loss. There's no doubt that Peggy Nash has been considered one of the stars of the 2006 MP freshman class and to lose a seat in the heart of Toronto is a big blow - especially in light of the strong campaign run by Jack Layton and the NDP.
But Gerard Kennedy's combination of a long track record in the neighbourhood and the sentiment that a vote for the Liberals was a vote against Harper and the Conservatives was enough to catapult Kennedy right into Ottawa.
It's safe to say that we can look for Kennedy in a plumb position if Stephane Dion retains the leadership. Kennedy's fit within the Liberal party will be less clear if Dion steps down from the leadership as there are still memories of the 2006 leadership election.
Photo: Gerard Kennedy campaign.
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I just hope we (living in Parkdale-Highpark) won't not hear from Gerrard again until the next election.
He definitely won the race based on his life in Parkdale, versus the Party Vote. If it was anyone but Kennedy, the NDP would probably taken the vote.
Cut those votes, hipsters. Just because Parkdale isn't a Conservative hot spot doesn't mean you need to go and cut people's brakes.
So how about a Future Prime Minister from the Parkdale riding? Sounds good.
Gerald! Gerald! Jerry!
Kennedy is his MP and Kennedy is a \
Liberal--big time.
I was really gunning for him to win the Liberal leadership, and frankly, I am still holding a grudge that it was his withdrawal and subsequent backing of Dion that has put the party in the position of being unable to oust the Conservatives from power.
Whatever, I'm just waiting for Trudeaumania II. He's dreamy!
I don't understand how the Liberals were able to push the idea that a vote for any other party was a vote for Harper. It's been clear from day one that the Libs had no chance of forming a government. Any seat that doesn't have a big C on it is an opposition seat. It's not like the Liberals are a formidable opposition in parliament these days anyway.
<i>Kennedy won because of the party he represents. </i> No, not necessarily. Do you know what Gerard Kennedy has done for Parkdale? Or are you a hipster that moved in? Kennedy has his political roots in Parkdale, so this comes as no surprise. In fact, the Liberals held the seat before the previous election, where the NDP and Nash narrowly beat out Bulte. So you could say the Reds are taking back their seat in an unnecessary election. And if you think it was to spite the NDP, check out the Provincials. NDP. Gerard Kennedy won because he is Gerard Kennedy. This has more to do with him than it does the party or any agenda bullshit that you people make up.
<i>People were voting strategically in order to prevent a Harper majority. </i> lol
How is this riding even going to affect a Conservative majority when Conservatives don't even exist in this riding? According to voting history at least.
<i>I'm disappointed in my riding.</i> Then you wouldn't call it your riding. Please don't cut any more brake lines.
I personally am satisfied in my riding. How would it feel to have a futures Prime Minister from your riding? It would feel impressive I would say.
We (notice I said "we", as it is very much my riding as well) turfed a potential star MP, who was almost universally acknowledged as doing a great job, in favour of the guy who made Dion the Liberal leader and created the very real possibility of a Harper majority.
And FYI, while they don't usually do very well, the Conservatives do exist in the riding, and while the candidate finished well behind this time around, they have managed to win it once before.
The MAIN reason last night turned out like it did is Mr. Kennedy, and he gets rewarded? A senior minister in a government that lied to get into power, and he wins against the first Member of Parliament in a generation to give a damn about Parkdale-High Park.
Is it any wonder this city a)gets treated like crap, and b)we deserve the people we elect.
Honest to God, this is disgusting.