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This article was published 23/8/2017 (1125 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steve Ashton’s "desperation" tactics in his Manitoba NDP leadership battle with Wab Kinew could scuttle the party’s chances of winning back government in 2020, political scientists warn.

"There may be an element of desperation when he says, ‘Clear the air, Wab’ — and makes it nasty," retired University of Manitoba professor Paul Thomas said Wednesday.

The party, and by extension the public, wants to abandon years of infighting for a focus on policy, said Thomas. "There’s still burning bitterness and resentment in the party."

Thomas said Ashton’s tactics could leave the NDP deeply divided and choosing between two deeply flawed people.

"You have to wonder what Steve Ashton is thinking," said University of Winnipeg Prof. Shannon Sampert, director and editor of the Evidence Network. "Does he think this will change committed (delegate) voters’ minds?

"This is burnt earth — he’s basically tainting the brand," Sampert said. "It’s pretty clear Kinew is going to win. It’s a pretty dangerous tactic (Ashton’s) playing right now."

Kinew leads 589 to 339 among delegates and youth members who will votes at the Sept. 16 leadership convention They are not bound to back the candidate they favoured when appearing on slates at the riding level.

Kinew, the MLA for Fort Rouge needs as few as 104 more votes to win, with 170 automatic delegates and 285 labour delegates eligible to vote.

Ashton, an MLA from 1981 to 2016, and former cabinet minister, renewed his attacks on Kinew, demanding Tuesday his rival "own up" and release details of two 2003 domestic assault charges (which were later stayed). Ashton encouraged the alleged victim to come forward and tell her story.

"It was last-ditch. I don’t think it was a wise move," Sampert said.

Christopher Adams, a political scientist based at St. Paul’s College, said Ashton is providing ammunition to the Tories for the 2020 election.

"Ashton is doing as much as he can to make the best of this story, he’s trying to catch up to the front-runner," Adams said. Domestic violence "is an issue that can resonate very strongly among NDP supporters."

Adams said if Manitobans believe Kinew when he says he turned his life around more than a decade ago, the only damage Ashton could inflict is if there is evidence of inappropriate behaviour by Kinew after that.

There’s still the mystery of who anonymously provided the media with Kinew’s court records, said Adams: "This could backfire if we find out one of (Ashton’s) workers sent out the email."

U of M ethics Prof. Arthur Schafer said Wednesday Kinew’s "is an inspiring story. Instead of sinking him, it’s made him a more sympathetic and empathetic person. The end result is remarkable.

"It seems kind of shabby for Ashton to turn on his colleague in this way. In a way, it’s unseemly," said Schafer, director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics.

However, airing Kinew’s history now removes or reduces potential baggage for the 2020 election, Schafer said.

Ashton, who is not a member of the party establishment, believes the rules are weighted against him by not using a one-member, one-vote system that would benefit Ashton’s ability to sign up new members.

Ashton has lost two leadership bids. He would still remain in the party if he loses, Thomas said, adding he has known Ashton since he taught him at the U of M. "In some ways, he’s immune from defeat. For him, it’s about ideas and the distribution of power in the party."

Thomas said Kinew will be an attractive candidate in 2020 if people believe he’s changed, especially as the Indigenous leader of a major political party.

"He was vetted, he’s talked about it, he’s written about it," Thomas said.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca