09.29.2012 09:03 AM

Liberal amounts of coverage

An observation.

The media can go on and on about (a) how the Liberal Party is irrelevant, in general and (b) how Justin Trudeau is not up to the job, in particular.

But boy oh boy, they sure are writing lots about both subjects, eh? Check out the best aggregator on the planet, National Newswatch, this morning. There’s so much about Trudeau and the Libs, I couldn’t meaningfully link to all of it.

A dead party? A man-boy, unfit for power? The media’s actions belie their words.

26 Comments

  1. MississaugaPeter says:

    What happens if on Tuesday JT does the right thing (decides family and building the party first while developing his leadership skills), and ends up backing GK again (like in 2006)? It would be an incredible event! Just look at the supposed team around JT. It is GK 2006, from Telford and Silver to the WWF guy who probably had the greatest influence over his decision to run in 2006. Even the supposed first event outside Papineau for JT is in Mississauga with Omar and Navdeep – 2 of GK’s biggest supporters in 2006.

    Or maybe GK is just sitting this one out and waiting for his turn as premier. If there was a guy who could bring the teachers back on side it would be him!

    • Warren says:

      He’s a great fellow, but he couldn’t win his own seat.

      • bluegreenblogger says:

        Neither could a whole lot of good people with the national campaign ball and chain to tote around…. I think that criteria is weak, if not totally irrelevant. A factor that may or may not be relevant depending upon circumstances

      • MississaugaPeter says:

        But he did take the NDP provincial stronghold of York-South Weston (Bob Rae’s riding) against Harvard man, eventual Toronto mayor, David Miller. And then took the provincial riding of Parkdale-High Park from the Conservatives. GK was also 1 of only 2 federal Liberal gains in the 2008 Federal Election.

        WK, you are right, GK lost when a phenomenol NDP smear campaign for Peggy Nash (who was of the top 3 candidates to replace Layton) was successful. Even neighbouring Ignatieff couldn’t keep his seat.

        My count is 4-1 for GK.

      • Sean says:

        Sorry, I have to disagree with you there Warren. Mackenzie King also lost his own seat. So did Dief the Chief. Further, local campaigns / issues / considerations are a tiny, tiny fraction of the vote. 0-5% I’d say. There is data to back that up. And yes, I’m too lazy to go and find the data and post it. Also, as much as I loved Chretien, he also under performed his own party in his own riding in ’97.

        On the fund raising side, I am in total agreement that those still in debt from 2006 have no business running again. No offense, but that is totally an accurate reflection on a) their judgement b) networking skill c) commitment of joe / jane Liberal.

        • Elizabeth says:

          In agreement with who/m? Why on earth should being in debt prevent a party from running again? Why don’t we just say “people who aren’t rich need not apply”, and get some Crown Jewels? The funding from votes was supposed to set off that problem, but that’s been removed by Harper, so keep it up by saying those in debt can’t run again – and we’re all set for an Emperor.

    • Elizabeth says:

      GK doesn’t have the necessary charisma, or in PMSH’s case, the basilisk eye of a cobra. For some reason, people are very focused on Trudeau, and it isn’t just because he’s PET’s son. He’s got star power of his own, maybe more than his father had. I thought he was a total ball of fluff, but then I saw him arguing with Hayley Mills from Manitoba on TV once, and he really let her have it, justifiably – but then he backed right down and apologized. I think he has underplayed himself, and being underestimated is fine by him. Besides, what’s going to be most important is the people he chooses to have around him. Experience is great, but it never makes up for quality. A lot of duds have experience. An intelligent person without experience can learn; but an experienced dud isn’t going to get any further.
      I also thought he was going to die in the boxing match, and then remembered – he’s smart.

  2. william smith says:

    who’s GK

  3. william smith says:

    Oh it has dawned on me GK is the last great white hope that lost his seat as well as racking up leadership debts – Gerard Kennedy nope

    • MississaugaPeter says:

      But he did take the NDP provincial stronghold of York-South Weston (Bob Rae’s riding) against Harvard man, eventual Toronto mayor, David Miller. And then took the provincial riding of Parkdale-High Park from the Conservatives. Then GK was also 1 of only 2 federal Liberal gains in the 2008 Federal Election (took 1 from the NDP).

      WK, you are right, GK lost when a phenomenol NDP smear campaign for Peggy Nash (who was of the top 3 candidates to replace Layton) was successful. Even neighbouring Ignatieff couldn’t keep his seat.

      My count is 4-1 for GK.

  4. frmr Disgruntled Con now Happy Lib says:

    I am encouraged by the amount of press coverage….The party owes a great debt to M. Trudeau, for throwing his hat in the ring(presumably).
    Membership and “supporters” numbers were already up…..but I am curious as to what they will be after the April 14 leadership selection.
    I hope that the majority of them stick around …if the party has truly put in place cogent policies, and has truly made itself even more open and accessilble, perhaps they will.
    Then, and only then, will the party be able to go forward to end “Dear Leader’s” reign of error….

  5. Pete says:

    Justin is playing for the ethnic votes in his opening appearances as a candidate. That is the make up of his own rding and perfect fodder for a liberal renewal.

    • Elizabeth says:

      I thought he had no choice in running for Papineau; that Stephane Dion wouldn’t allow him to go for an easier, guaranteed-Liberal party?

  6. ken klempner says:

    GK is a waste… his moral compass is adrift. have any of you sat with him and evaluated his values or ethos?

    • MississaugaPeter says:

      The answer is yes.

      And have you to make such an unsubstantiated and ridiculous statement like this?

      • reformatory says:

        Gerrard Kennedy – doubt very much that he will run and certain he would never win. Nice guy, but should have stayed provincial. He would be a natural successor to McGuinty right now, and he would take some of the wind out from under the provincial NDP sails. He is more on the progressivse side of the OLP and would be a fresh face. He’ll probably stay federal though- cause he probably realizes that the tide is changing and the Ontario lieberals are toast. He’ll make a fine cabinet minister in a Trudeau or Garneau led gov’t.

        you heard it here first from me:o)

  7. Tiger says:

    Well, the Liberals put on a good leadership show, what else can we say?

    Comparison of Justin Trudeau to Sarah Palin has some teeth — has charm, a thin-ish resume for the top job (but not an impossible one), but ability to inspire, connection with the values a majority of the country has, but rouses doubts in enough of that majority to raise doubts about electoral viability. Enrages political opponents.

    Of course, a Palin figure could win a national election with 40% of the vote under a multi-party Westminster system. So too might Justin.

    Which is why the Liberals should give him very serious consideration, and watch his leadership campaign closely.

  8. Peter says:

    He is young and inexperienced, and he has a long way to go before he can fill his father’s shoes. Let’s hope he has a strong team of handlers to teach him how to canoe, slide down bannisters and pirouette behind the Queen.

    • Tim Sullivan says:

      He does not have to fill his father’s shoes. He owns his own pairs. He will make his own way in the world. His parents gave him the goods to do it. He’s his own person.

      Now, Conservatives, be afraid, and keep slamming him for his inexperience, but let’s see what you had to say about Harper when he was running for the leadership.

      • Peter says:

        We’ll see, Tim, I certainly don’t begrudge you your new found energy and enthusiasm. Things will be interesting. But as even Warren intimated, won’t the first order of business be to put the Dippers in their place? Isn’t it going to be a little like with the Yugoslavs in World War 11 who did what they could to massacre each other behind the scenes while insisting to the world their only goal was to beat the Germans?

        • Tim Sullivan says:

          Well, Peter, I have no clue how your response is anyway related to mine. However, I do not that in Canada, we tend to use the expression “Second World War”, there not having been eleven in any event.

          Your first post is a backhand to Trudeau and an attempt to saddle him with the sins of his father. Unfair for any child, although I happen to think Trudeau was an excellent PM, perhaps one of the best, and young Trudeau could do worse.

          As for new found energy, I have no idea what you mean. What do you mean? What are you comparing my current energy and enthusiasm to? I think the first order of business for any leader will be to unite the party, and the in the case of Trudeau if he runs and Coyne is she runs, to work out family-reunion schedules.

  9. Ron says:

    How can you not like Justin Trudeau?!

  10. Ron says:

    Just looked at National Newswatch aggregator, and it appears Omar Khadr has replaced Justin Trudeau. Such is the media world.

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