First things first: no one has seriously asked me for my opinion on any of this.
Second things second: it’s my own dang website / blog / thing so I’m going to offer it anyway.
Herewith, my personal1 wish list2 for the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, now that they’re in the market for one:
- Must be a good communicator.
(a) including off the prompter
(b) in both official languages
… - Must be able to hold their own in a political debate.
(a) as above
… - Must be able to build and sustain strong relationships.
(a) aspirationally, with the incoming U.S. administration
(b) realistically, with whoever is left standing after the next election
… - Must not be a jerk.
I think points 1 through 3 are pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll spend an extra minute or two on 3(b).
I’m a strong believer in the idea that the only poll that truly matters is the one held on election day. Yeah, sure, the team watches even when they know they shouldn’t, and yes, of course, it affects morale. I still believe this idea to be true. I believed it before I worked in politics, but five years after I left (give or take), I believe it even more, and here’s why …
The day before the prime minister announced his plan to step down, CBC’s Cross Country Checkup was on the radio. It’s not exactly must-listen radio for me, but I ended up listening because it was on in the car and turns out there were there were two topics that day: 1) tell us about your celebrity encounters; 2) tell us what you think about weigh loss resolutions. Not “what’s going to happen to Justin Trudeau” and “who will replace him if he leaves.” Across the country, citizens were weighing on with their thoughts on famous people and fat pants.
And you know what, Cross Country Checkup producer? Good on ya. On January 5, not even a week into the new year, on the day before most of us had to head back to work after a bit of a break, that’s where our heads were at. Light stuff. Fluffy stuff. Shoot-the-shit stuff. Who doesn’t love that stuff.
My point is that even if you’re not obsessively poll watching, you’d have to be pretty dedicated to pursuing your next celebrity encounter not to know that the numbers aren’t great for incumbent parties in general and Canada’s incumbent party in particular. I don’t know that the Liberals are headed for the political wilderness, as some are predicting, but there’s a great word in Spanish that I think applies: the afueras. The party needs a leader that’s a little bit shepherd and little bit mastín. Someone who can keep the team together in the afueras, for as long it ends up there.
Which brings us to #4, and a concept that — for this voter — is actually the most important thing on this list. I cannot support a candidate who is a jerk (note that “jerk” is the polite version of the word I usually use when this topic comes up in conversation). Same thing for a candidate’s supporters. If I can’t see the honey for the flies, well …
In the end, I want to support a candidate who is smart, hard-working, determined, ambitious, etc. … but I’m also looking for thoughtful, balanced, respectful, and kind. Someone who has actually knocked doors. Someone who understands that Drayton Valley and Dryden3 matter as much as Davos. Someone I’d trust with my kids … or my fall economic statement.
It’s the earliest of early days, and I don’t know if that kind of candidate will end up in the race, but I sure hope they do.
And hey, maybe I’m the only Canadian with a wish list like this one. Pretty sure I’m not.
- Not formally supporting any candidate at present. I’m a university professor, so my ability to provide financial support is, shall we say, limited. I’m also a very tired person, so my ability to provide my time and expertise is also limited (by my need for a nap). ↩︎
- There’s stuff missing from this list, obviously. Stuff I know should probably on it (name recognition, fundraising ability, existing networks) and stuff I’m leaving off because I only know what I know, you know? ↩︎
- Drayton and Dryden are what I’m going to call all celebrity twins from now on, LOL. ↩︎
Jeni Armstrong 