UPDATE: Chantal Hebert explores the optics of Trudeau's take-no-prisoners strategy:
Trudeau may hope to tilt the balance of public opinion in his favour by undermining Wilson-Raybould’s credibility. But he should worry about a boomerang effect on his already damaged moral authority.
The optics of this prime minister attacking the integrity of a prominent Indigenous champion is already dismally poor. The fact that this crisis pits Trudeau against one of the highest-profile women in his caucus makes for a lethal political combination.
The last thing the prime minister needs at a time when he has bridges to repair with the Indigenous community is to give Canadian women — including some of those around him in the House of Commons — cause to close ranks behind Wilson-Raybould.
Who does this guy's damage control? He stammers and hums and haws when he needs to get ahead of these things, get everything out fast, control the narrative. Instead he allows the opposition to exploit his vulnerability as opposition parties have always done. It's so obvious and yet he lets it unfold to his and his party's disadvantage. Trudeau's base just sit there and seethe, lashing out at anyone who dares question the Dauphin as though the mere mention of the scandal is an affront to God and nature.
ReplyDeleteScheer and Company are forcing Liberals to take sides, Justin or Jody, and the blame for that lies squarely at the feet of the prime minister no matter what his acolytes claim.
There is always an element that insists we should support the lesser of evils, Mound. I'm long past that kind of obfuscation of truth. Let the chips fall where they may.
DeletePerhaps Trudeau became so arrogant thanks to the lavish praise he received early in his mandate and now thinks he can talk his way out of anything. In that, of course, he is badly mistaken.
Is it arrogance, Lorne, or something else, perhaps unease or even fear, that drives this prime minister's awkwardness? I don't recall that his father ever dealt with this particular type of problem but I do know that he rarely allowed the Tories to get the better of him. Every thrust he would instinctively and usually effectively parry, often leaving his attacker wounded and looking foolish. Junior is bereft of his father's talents and instincts and the Liberal Party that keeps questing for celebrity leadership may pay dearly for it.
DeleteA good question, Mound. The standards we seem to have for public life today are rather abysmal. The fact that once-proud Ontario elected a buffoon and his party to lead the province is testament to that.
DeleteAfter watching the James O'Brien video you posted on your blog, I couldn't help but marvel as I was reminded of what a fierce and critical intelligence can accomplish.
This could become a huge problem for Trudeau.
ReplyDeleteI saw on the news tonight that social media is starting to call him a bully, Owen. I suspect we haven't seen the last of the storm he has created.
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