CBCnews

Converting former critics

Ryan Cleary is the NDP's candidate for St-John's South-Mount Pearl in Newfoundland and Labrador. But it's who Cleary was before that is causing the NDP problems now.

Up until just a few months ago, Cleary was the editor-in-chief of the Independent until it was shut down. And as such, he was an outspoken and critical voice of none other than the NDP.

He suggested the NDP was a party of "aging granolas" and "losers." He even suggested Newfoundland should become independent given its considerable wealth.

When Layton was asked about all this he laughed. He said he said his goal has been to change people's minds about the NDP.

Layton says the fact that he's managed to convince a former journalist he's the right man to be Prime Minister is good evidence it's working.

Rosemary Barton