On gatherings

A quick roundup of coverage surrounding this weekend's NDP policy convention:

- The convention figures to be the biggest since 1987. Needless to say, we'll have to hope that reflects an opportunity similar to what the NDP had then...and that this time, the result will be more benefit from that opportunity.

- One notable non-attendee is Paul Summerville, who has jumped ship based on his apparent conclusion that the NDP's economic views (a) don't respect the benefits that can come from the free market and (b) have changed dramatically since the last campaign where he was one of the faces of the party. I'd think he's wrong on both counts, but he's certainly entitled to the opinion. Of course, the danger now is that the help which the NDP contributed to building his profile may now come back to haunt the Dippers.

- The CP appears either to be unfamiliar with the flow of time, or to think Layton is clairvoyant in timing his initial call to bring home the troops the week before a spate of deaths in Afghanistan.

- For those looking for more attention to the NDP's fiscally-responsible premiers there's plenty of good news, as Gary Doer delivered a keynote speech today and Lorne Calvert also figured prominently in the proceedings.