Broadbent returning to politics (Globe and Mail - Cdn Politics)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031218.wubroadbent1888/BNStory/Front/

Ottawa — Former NDP leader Ed Broadbent will give his party a major boost Thursday by announcing he's returning to federal politics to contest an Ottawa riding in the next election against a close ally of Prime Minister Paul Martin, sources said Wednesday.

Mr. Broadbent's decision to run in Ottawa Centre, more than a decade after leaving politics, is expected to be made official at a press conference this morning with party leader Jack Layton, who has spent months trying to woo him back into the federal arena.

Meanwhile, Mr. Layton's hopes to win his own seat in Parliament appear set to soar, as Liberal MP Dennis Mills -- who has won four consecutive elections in the Toronto riding now known as Toronto-Danforth -- suggested Wednesday that he is leaning toward retiring from politics.

"There are situations that exist, personal and otherwise, that cause me to think that maybe it is time to move on," he said in an interview.

I see Ed and Jack both winning. That'll make life very interesting.

[Minstrel Boy]

1. Broadbent's press conference coming up at 10:30

on Newsworld. (At least on the domestic service.)

A good day for the NDP, and Canada.

[Spazito]

2. The upcoming election could get VERY interesting!

I see it as a fight between the Reform/Alliance/Conservative/? party and the NDP for official opposition position! My hopes are for the NDP.

[Flightful]

3. Now that Crétin is gone...

There's room for another old has-been in Ottawa.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. Well. If you don't like Chretien or Broadbent, do you like Paul Martin?

He's a pensioner too, y'know. And if you don't like Martin...who do you like?

[iverglas]

5. damned good question

Since reading his/her reference (in another Ed thread) to old NDP Premier Rae "trashing" the schools in Ontario, and introducing "race quotas" ... and his very poor opinion even of new Liberal Premier McGuinty ("weasel") ... I've been wondering just that myself.

.

[arikara]

6. Yay Ed!

The NDP is in a good place what with the CRAP/Tory merger and the liberals sliding more to the right.