Trudeau endorses Kennedy!

Justin Trudeau, recent chair of the Youth aspect of the Liberal Renewal Commission, has endorsed Gerard Kennedy!

As one blogger remarked: Can you spell "momentum" ???!!!

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE KENNEDY

ONLY ONE WEEK REMAINING

Welcome to the final week of the most competitive and open Liberal Leadership race in history.

At the last leadership convention in 2003, U2 rocker Bono walked off the stage and said "the world needs more Canada."

We really believe that at this convention, delegates will come to the conclusion that "the world needs more Kennedy."

If you have any questions about the campaign, Gerard Kennedy, or how to be in touch or volunteer your time in Montreal, contact us at bc.kennedy.youth@gmail.com!

See you in La belle province,

-BCY4K

Fascinating Kennedy DEM results: Gerard's strength in winnable and battleground ridings

Gregory Morrow at www.democraticSPACE.com has done some remarkable analysis of the DEM meeting results, showing how Gerard Kennedy fared especially well on average in the most winnable Liberal ridings, and also the 60 ridings that can be classified as "battleground ridings."

For Mr. Morrow's detailed and skilled analysis can be found on his site, but the gyst of it is this:

Gerard Kennedy is disproportionately electable in areas where we need to hold Liberal support, and where we have the potential to expand it. Essentially, Gerard is especially poised as a candidate to help win us the specific seats needed to win a majority government.

It should also be noted that this analysis was done even before the completion of the results in British Columbia, where Gerard is running a close second. This would certainly generate the potential to boost his proportions in these riding categories even further.

These tables from Morrow illustrate these points very well, showing the difference between the candidates' overall performance and their proportionate showings in the 'winnable' and 'battleground' riding categories:

Gerard Kennedy's bringing "sexy" back to the infrastructure debate

Here's a nifty "excerpts" video from YouTube showcasing Gerard's remarkable performance during the infrastructure section of last Sunday's all-candidates' debate.

Kennedy shows leadership and understanding on Afghanistan

Today at the Canadian Club debate in Toronto, Gerard had some excellent opportunities to showcase his strong understanding of our mission in Afghanistan, its inherent challenges, and his proposals to improve the mandate and enhance its results.

And the country took note!

Here are some of Gerard's comments from the Globe and Mail's national update:

Mr. Kennedy described the turmoil in Afghanistan as coming from three interlinked crises: the economic reliance on opium, a low level of foreign aid, and the battle with the Taliban.

“Western nations had pledged for alternative economic development and not delivered. We cannot win hearts and minds if we're not filling their stomachs,” said Mr. Kennedy.

“We need the commitment of the whole international community. If not, we should leave in an orderly fashion after February 2007 with our heads held high as a country that's provided the only other possibility -- short term security need -- on a par with any other in the world.”

All three leadership contenders called for the NATO mandate to be revised, with Mr. Kennedy saying it should align with Canadian principles. “If young men and women are to be at risk, it will be for things that we believe in,” he said.

Here are some more resources from previous posts to keep you up to date on Kennedy's position and on how you can get involved and have your say on this critical issue.

GERARD ON AFGHANISTAN - VIDEO MESSAGE

Gerard's position on this issue is bold, unique among the leadership candidates, and very comprehensive. It seems to have been incredibly well-received in the national media and even more so by grassroots Liberals and Canadians across the country.

Are you one of the many Liberals who seem to agree with Kennedy's distinct perspective and proposals?

If so, send a letter to the Prime Minister through Gerard's website. Follow the links below to get involved!

Interview with Gerard Kennedy

CBC Radio 1 host Anna Maria Tremonti conducted an excellent and in-depth interview with Gerard on Thursday. The interview was originally broadcast on October 5th, 2006

MAJORITY of BC Youth are 4 Kennedy!

Well folks, the results are in, and the BC Kennedy Youth Team couldn't be more pleased after exceeding expectations and having a "super" weekend. Our one candidate has earned a majority of the delegates from BC's federal Liberal youth clubs.

Here is an unofficial tally of delegates coming out of the campus clubs:

GERARD KENNEDY: 13 / 24 !

Where did this support come from?

1 delegate representing SFU Harbour Centre

3 delegates representing UBC

3 delegates representing SFU Surrey

3 delegates representing UBC Okanagan

and

3 delegates representing SFU Burnaby

We would like to wholeheartedly thank every single voter who came out to support Gerard in their riding and especially at their Liberal campus club. The old saying about how "every vote counts" came true in a very significant way!

Obviously, our team out here is tired but ecstatic. Despite starting late in the game, we've built a big, diverse, active and inclusive youth team, and we would love the chance to welcome you on board. Contact us anytime at bc.kennedy.youth to get involved or to meet with a member of our growing youth team.

Thank you for your support!