text: It's a sad commentary on the state of the NDP that the array of candidates to replace Tom Mulcair is so incredibly sparse and weak.
  
  Tom Mulcair had his faults but he was a brilliant speaker, a great parliamentarian, was moderate in most of his views (or at least reasonable according to NDP standards), and displayed sincerity and class.  When the likes of Niki Ashton aspire to lead the NDP you really know things are desperate.  When potentially good candidates like Nathan Cullen decide to sit it out you really know things are bad and the NDP's prospects of ever forming a government are virtually non-existent.