Wednesday, April 06, 2022

Cousins?

Susan Delacourt writes that there are similarities between Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau:

There’s something oddly familiar about Pierre Poilievre’s campaign in the early days of the Conservative leadership race. Intentionally or not, it bears some of the hallmarks of Justin Trudeau’s leadership campaign nearly a decade ago.

Ten years ago, Trudeau talked of how he made Conservatives “nutty.” Meanwhile, former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole famously said Poilievre makes Liberals “quiver” — a boast that drew scoffs from Trudeau’s side of the House. But there’s no question that Poilievre can get on the nerves of the Liberals in a way that most other Conservatives don’t.

Poilievre’s campaign is hooked on data collection and selfies, just as Trudeau’s was. “Every rally features a photo line, giving people a chance to get a shot with Poilievre and often his wife Ana as well,” Levitz noted after attending a huge event last week in Ottawa.

There are differences:

It’s true that they both came to their leadership campaigns after spending a lifetime around politics, but the 42-year-old Poilievre’s experience is a career politician, an MP since he was 24.

Trudeau was also in his early 40s, with a young family, when he embarked on his quest for the top job, but he didn’t enter elected politics until he was in his late 30s. Also unlike Poilievre, Trudeau has never been fond of the theatrics in the House of Commons.

Liberals would also be quick to point out that Trudeau would never align himself with the “Freedom Convoy” types who are filling up Poilievre’s events.

Still, it's hard not to notice the similarities:

Their leadership campaigns, although a decade apart, have many of the trademarks of a front-runner’s romp to victory: big crowds, lots of curiosity and lots of selfies. And they’re similar in one other important way, too: their rivals are incredulous that these are the men the parties would choose to chart a path out of opposition wilderness.

Perhaps they're cousins -- from different sides of the track.

Image: You Tube


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would tend to agree, in some ways similar personalities courting votes, but these two part ways on the vision for the country. PP sees a republican style utopia while Trudeau (First Nations notwithstanding) sees a Canada where we can all learn to live and let live. Our biggest problem as a country is how we withstand the growing facist movement in the US and who is up to the task of protecting our country from the political pressure to align with the Christian Right visions of society not to mention their increasingly desperate need for our resources. PP would welcome it with open arms, at least the Liberal Party will push back. California is drying up and with a population bigger than Canada, they will not let themselves go thirsty. BC Waterboy

Owen Gray said...

Wise Canadian leaders -- from John A Macdonald on down -- have always understood that it's wise not to get too close to the United States, waterboy. Poilievre knows no such caution.

zoombats said...

Well if those goes are remotely aligned or cousins then Leona Alleslev must be their auntie.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/leona-alleslev-campaign-announcement-1.6409543

Owen Gray said...

Thanks for the link, zoombats. There's a lady with no shame.

The Disaffected Lib said...

Well, Owen, this may be adieu. Scott is shutting down ProgBlog tomorrow. If something else interesting comes up, please let me know.

It's been great.

MoS

Owen Gray said...

I'm really sad to hear that, Mound. There are a lot fewer of us around these days. It has been a good run. I'll still go directly to your site.

Toby said...

Maybe you guys could get The Galloping Beaver to link to your blogs.

https://thegallopingbeaver.blogspot.com/

Northern PoV said...

Our 'democratic' choice:

Jr. vs Lil'PP

Metaphorically speaking it is Spoiled treacle vs toxic slurry.

Owen Gray said...

Both men are less than perfect, PoV. But one is more imperfect than the other.

Owen Gray said...

My blog is listed there, Toby. We'll have to see what MoS does.

Trailblazer said...

I'm really sad to hear that, Mound. There are a lot fewer of us around these days. It has been a good run. I'll still go directly to your site.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Was not aware of that site.
However i am aware of the reduction of "traffic" to websites that contradict the MSM.

Tough times ahead.


TB

Trailblazer said...

The Canadian electorate have succumbed to the US condition of voting for notoriety not substance...


TB

Owen Gray said...

The Mound's site is The Disaffected Lib, TB. It's always worth a visit. And, yes, success in politics these days is all about celebrity.