New Democratic Party Federal Leadership Race

It's exciting to watch the NDP elect a new leader.  This is a rare opportunity for a North American country to elect a truly social democratic party to power.  Polls show the Conservatives neck and neck with the NDP, which means that the new leader has a realistic shot at the PMO.

Fears:
1) Infighting in the NDP
2) Broadbent, and others, undermining Mulcair if he wins
3) People not getting behind Topp if he wins
4) A strong NDP and a historically weak Liberals splitting the vote in the nest election
5) The new leader not being ready for the attack ads that will come from the Conservative party.

Hopes:
1) The NDP getting a real shot at winning the next election, a truly social democratic government in Canada.
2) A resurgence of discussion and concern around issues of peace, equality, sharing, and fairness.   I hope this spills over into the provinces as well.
3) A new party machine to challenge the Media savvy of the Conservatives.

Regardless of the outcome I am looking forward to see the NDP move forward into this next era of the party.