Saturday, September 29, 2012

Justin's Time




Justin Trudeau has concluded that it's now or never. He's probably right. But we still need to know whether or not he's the right choice. Andrew Coyne writes:

We have no idea what kind of leader he would make for the Liberal party. We don’t know what his plans are to rebuild the party, or what direction he would take it, or where he would concentrate its meagre resources. We have a hint of his tenacity — winning the nomination and then the election in Papineau, beating Senator Patrick Brazeau in a boxing match — but we don’t know whether he has what it takes generally to be a leader: whether he can build a team, inspire their loyalty, betray it when he has to. We know nothing of his strategic sense, his ability to spot a political opening, exploit an opponent’s weakness, or strike a prudent compromise.

And that is why there should be no coronation. The people who will challenge Trudeau -- and I assume there will be challengers -- need to make the Liberal leadership a real contest. After all, that is what Stephen Harper will give Justin -- a real contest.

Coyne's colleague, Micheal Den Tandt, writes that Trudeau will present Stephen Harper with a a formidable challenge:

Harper’s team has reason to fear Trudeau’s charm, his particular appeal in Quebec, Ontario and B.C., and the Liberal Party’s time-tested ability to morph into whatever policy shape best suits its needs at any given time. Where Trudeau is strongest — likability — Harper is weakest. In year seven headed for 10, time is not on the prime minister’s side in this regard. With Trudeau as his foil, it will be less easy for the PM to cast himself as the dour national bean counter, too busy with his spreadsheets to bother being human.

And, if Trudeau's leadership results in a war between the Liberals and the New Democrats, Stephen Harper will cheer from the sidelines. After Justin formally announces his candidacy this week, he must show us who he really is -- that is, he must show us not just that now is the time for his candidacy. We need to know whether or not now is the time for Trudeau.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Justin Trudeau had better distance himself, from the BC Liberals.

Ex BC Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell, didn't tell the BC citizens, he worked for Harper and still does. Christy Clark had Boessenkool, another henchman of Harper's working for her. Harper's degenerate Boessenkool, has a serious drinking problem, seems he is a groper. Campbell was also a drunk. He was so drunk, he drove on the wrong side of the road. Harper's other degenerate Bruce Carson, a many times convicted criminal, has been arrested for, influence peddling.

It is well known. Our young people refuse to vote, because of the corruption in our Canadian government. The young people despise, Harper's corruption and cheating to win.

Justin could perhaps, win the younger generations votes. He would have to be, totally up front with them. He would have to keep his word. Any whiff of corruption, cheating, thieving or dishonesty, will turn them right off.

Owen Gray said...

I agree that the young are totally disenchanted by politics as usual, Anon.

As for the BC Liberals, their ties to the Harper government prove that they are Liberals in name only.

Justin will certainly have to rebrand his party -- which will not be an easy task.

Kim said...

The last paragraph is especially chilling to me. This is Harper's chance to divide progressive voters and sail through with another 39% majority.

Owen Gray said...

Indeed, that's the risk, Kim. And having lived with Harper for six years, the 61% are going to have to, as a character from one of the Indiana Jones movies says, "choose, but choose wisely."