continuing in the theme of trying to figure out who i should spend my vote on this election i sat down and spoke to Andrew Lang, the local Liberal candidate here in toronto-danforth.

i wanted to know why he was running, Jack’s lead seems pretty much insurmountable, but if anyone has a chance (and, let’s be honest… it’s a very small chance) it is the liberal candidate. i’m no historian but i’m pretty sure the Liberals managed to hold this riding for a good long while prior to Jack re-winning it for the NDP, but still, the NDP took this riding by more than 7000 votes last time.

Andrew was straightforward when i asked him about his chances, sincerely hoping that Jack continued to think he has this riding in the bag as it lets him continue to wage political guerrilla warfare (my words, not his) against Jack. in Andrew’s view Jack and the NDP have taken local matters in toronto-danforth for granted, aren’t impressing local voters with their showboating on the campaign trail (is eliminating ATM fees the best thing we can find to talk about during an election?), and above all… torontonians are scared silly of another Harper government. regardless of the outcome, Andrew is convinced that the local race will be close, much closer than Jack or the NDP anticipates.

i’ve never really considered actually voting liberal, i’m usually a little too left wing for that, but Stéphane Dion does seem to be more of the type of person i’d like to see as prime minister, a fact that Andrew was quick to sense in our talk and emphasize. he argues that Dion is the only real leader in this race, whereas Harper and Layton are one man shows, that Dion is sensible and progressive with respect to social policy, and that the Liberals have a track record of a strong economy. it is all pretty much what you’d expect, but i did get the sense that Andrew was sincere in his argument for Stéphane. i even believed that he was sincere when he said Stéphane is a strong leader, despite reports to the contrary.

on the environment i wanted to know how it felt to steal all the good ideas from the green party. Andrews response, no shame, none whatsoever… he says they’ll steal good ideas all day long as long as long as they’re good (my words not his, i’m paraphrasing here). really, it was quite unabashed, i always thought that everyday liberals must feel some sort of shame for stealing their main policy plank, but Andrew showed no signs of it to me.

all in all, Andrew was a nice guy. he comes from a political family, has worked in politics pretty much exclusively since he left university, believes strongly in Canada and a Trudeau’esque vision of what a strong Canada means. i’m giving the political stuff the most space here, but i spent a good deal of time trying to figure out Andrew’s background. he seemed reluctant to go into too much detail, but he’s clearly dedicated to politics as a career and a lifestyle.

i have no doubt that he will make a good member of parliament, and who knows i may even vote for him (i’m waiting for the debate to decide), i just don’t think it’s going to be this time no matter how much Jack ignores the local race.

oh, look what i’ve started, i plugged the greens debate party now i’ve got to plug the liberals debate party. i should make sure i don’t interview people from the conservatives or the ndp until after the debates so i don’t have to do this again (i say people because i somehow doubt i’ll manage to get to the candidates for either. the conservatives are too concerned with message control and Jack is too busy for a little guy like me [oh the irony]). anywho, if you have the hankering to meet Andrew in person, you can join him and his team at the Rails and Ales Billiards Lounge @ 752 Danforth Avenue on October 2nd and watch the debate. In fact, if you speak french you can go on the 1st and watch the french language debate with him too!