Some constituents told him, I'm sure, because it suits their needs. Public opinion is diverse and complex.

They literally just “assisted” the Liberals by having two members abstain on the budget vote.

If they had voted against it, it would have been a tie and the Speaker would cast a tie breaker. The Speaker is a Liberal and would have supported the budget, so it would have passed regardless. 2 Conservatives also abstained, but I wonder if the NDP & CPC knew the other's plans beforehand?

This is the very definition of talking out of both sides of your mouth. Abstentions are a cowardly abdication. This is putting political expediency ahead of values and is the opposite of a “social conscience “, further pushing the NDP to irrelevance.

2 abstained. Others voted against.

Yet he spent the days preceding the vote talking about the budget’s deficiencies and how bad it is. Is this one tax credit enough to make up for the rest of the budget?

Even if they both voted, it would have been a tie. Speaker would be the tie breaker and, since he’s a Liberal, would have voted to pass it. The two abstentions made no difference to the final result.

Specifically to the leadership candidates, I’m curious how they would respond to caucus division beyond this budget. Will they demand a united front or will they encourage individuality?

But nobody ever wants an election. Abstention is a cowardly abdication. If you honestly believe Canada is worse off with this budget, then stand up and vote against it.

So why did you abstain?

Good. And how do you respond to your NDP colleagues who abstained?

Yes. But how should I respond, or more importantly, how would you respond to the NDP MPs who abstained?

Mullholland Drive

I am cautiously supportive. He’s saying all the right things and seems very progressive. His team seems organized and he seems comfortable in his skin. But I still don’t feel like I know him well enough.

I worry the other candidates are status quo or fringe. But I’d be happy to learn otherwise.

Blade Runner obviously

Crimson Tide because I’d enjoy a rewatch

There is no bad choice. True Romance would be most interesting to talk about. Crimson Tide is the best made one. Last Boy Scout is the most fun. And Denzel can do no wrong.