NDP: The Liberals Are Writing Off Avi Lewis.

You know what I think about conventional wisdom. Most of the time, it's at least partially wrong or total bullshit. The Liberals, masters of hubris, have already discounted the NDP. They'll continue the seduction campaign aimed at the party's MPs. The argument goes like this, to no one's surprise: the newly elected Avi Lewis is far too left to lead the NDP back to party status.

I don't share that view. A fresh face can do wonders in politics, provided that the average Joe and Jane do not consider the party's positions as being way out there or plain whacko. So, do I expect Lewis to mostly hold the line and not go full Leap Manifesto? Yes, I do.

Lewis knows that for the NDP to become relevant again, not to mention regain party status, pragmatism has to be at least the order of the day over the short to medium term. So far, Carney has been more sizzle than steak, which creates an opening for the NDP. No question that if Carney gets a renewed trade deal with the United States, it will be a tough go for the NDP to regain party status. However, I don't see many new or improved paper-based trade agreements. So, there's an opportunity there. Look to Lewis to go against his basic instincts and make the most of it. After all, the party's political survival likely depends on that, especially given that thirty percent of eligible voters did not cast a ballot in this leadership race.