On the surface he's a genius if he runs for leader. His latest controversy has done three things. First he positions himself as a National unity figure in Quebec, and a champion of traditional "Liberal" Canadian Values to the rest of us. Second, he gets attention for his party- a hard task that usually falls to Bob Rae. It further cements the Liberals as the unofficial opposition... has anyone heard from Turmel lately? And third; it starts attacking Harper; another long-standing tactic of any political party attack the other guy instead of telling me what you will do for me.
Circumstances could still turn him into a jackass. Quebec Separatists are already spinning Trudeau's latest remarks to their advantage. A federalist, especially one with the last name of Trudeau saying under certain circumstances he would support a separate Quebec... well that's a veritable gold mine for the Parti Quebecois and Bloc Quebecois. When taken with Charest's unpopularity, it could awaken the Quebec soveriegnist movement everyone thought was dying off.
People could also wake up and realize that guess what; this Prime Minister Stephen Harper guy isn't so bad. It's been six years, and the country isn't that bad off. The thing is every time the issues of abortion, and same sex marriage come up he has refused to re-open the issue. He even quashed a private members bill on Abortion from his own party; what more does the guy have to do?
The jury is still out for me. At the moment though, I'm putting him down as a genius, but circumstances can still make him a jackass.
Showing posts with label Liberal Party of Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liberal Party of Canada. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Free Advice for the Liberal Party
In a shocking result, the federal Liberals went from Canada's second Party to Canada's third Party. Their stature took a huge hit, and left them asking the question of how to regain their former glory? How do they regain that former second party status?I think I have some free advice if you will from someone who just wants a third choice when we go to the polls in the next federal election.
My first is to redefine yourselves as the ideas party. What made the party work under Chretien was that you had the ideas to make Canada better, and the financial resources thanks to Paul Martin to make that happen. Become that party again; combine bold ideas and the finances that made them possible. If you've got the ideas; if you've got the substance then anyone can lead the party.
My second idea is about who could make it happen. I think Shelia Copps would make a great President. From everything I read/see/ and hear of her in the media, I think she's got the spine to make the necessary changes, and really crack the whip so to speak. She could also help interim leader Bob Rae get some attention for the party; something that's hard with the Liberals at its third-party ranking.
And as for the leadership; I'd close the door on Bob Rae running. Rae was Ontario's former Premier in the early '90'sbest known for "Rae Days-" which were days Public Sector Workers (nurses, teachers, and doctors) took off without pay. Many still remember what conditions were like under his Premiership, and I think were he to take the permanent leadership of the federal Liberal Party, Ontario would be dead to the Liberals for the duration. And one thing all political parties know is that you need Ontario and its 100+ electoral seats to have any chance at winning a federal election.
If not Rae, then who?
I would go for a complete unknown quantity. Someone younger that could energize the party, and reach out, and engage Canadian youth. I'd pick someone who is unattached to either Chretien or Paul Martin; someone who is unafraid to break some of the well established traditions and make their own. It should be someone who maybe has their own ideas, and their own way of doing things. An ambitious job description? Yes, but if the party wants to succeed and perhaps win the next federal election.
This has been some free advice for the Liberals; take it for what it's worth. Wanted, or notI have plenty more where this comes from, so stay tuned.
.
My first is to redefine yourselves as the ideas party. What made the party work under Chretien was that you had the ideas to make Canada better, and the financial resources thanks to Paul Martin to make that happen. Become that party again; combine bold ideas and the finances that made them possible. If you've got the ideas; if you've got the substance then anyone can lead the party.
My second idea is about who could make it happen. I think Shelia Copps would make a great President. From everything I read/see/ and hear of her in the media, I think she's got the spine to make the necessary changes, and really crack the whip so to speak. She could also help interim leader Bob Rae get some attention for the party; something that's hard with the Liberals at its third-party ranking.
And as for the leadership; I'd close the door on Bob Rae running. Rae was Ontario's former Premier in the early '90'sbest known for "Rae Days-" which were days Public Sector Workers (nurses, teachers, and doctors) took off without pay. Many still remember what conditions were like under his Premiership, and I think were he to take the permanent leadership of the federal Liberal Party, Ontario would be dead to the Liberals for the duration. And one thing all political parties know is that you need Ontario and its 100+ electoral seats to have any chance at winning a federal election.
If not Rae, then who?
I would go for a complete unknown quantity. Someone younger that could energize the party, and reach out, and engage Canadian youth. I'd pick someone who is unattached to either Chretien or Paul Martin; someone who is unafraid to break some of the well established traditions and make their own. It should be someone who maybe has their own ideas, and their own way of doing things. An ambitious job description? Yes, but if the party wants to succeed and perhaps win the next federal election.
This has been some free advice for the Liberals; take it for what it's worth. Wanted, or notI have plenty more where this comes from, so stay tuned.
.
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