Canada

CHIMO

(9,223 posts) Mon Jan 21, 2013, 09:12 PM Jan 2013

Is Justin Trudeau Stephen Harper's Best Chance?

Much has been made so far in this Liberal race of Justin Trudeau's Samson-like curls. Locking eyes with him in the post-debate media scrum, I couldn't help but notice: he'd trimmed his hair. I wondered, would his powers now ebb away? Or is this part of an engineered shift, from foppish fortunate son to serious statesman?

If so, he's making progress. On policy questions yesterday he was confident without sounding wonkish, inclusive without pandering. Acknowledging the Liberal Party's "difficult times over the last dozen years," he described the re-energized party he hopes to lead, one that would draw on old wisdom and young votes.

The only false note came in the final seconds of his closing statement, when he directed supporters toward his campaign site, "Justin dot ca." Joking about beating pop singer Justin Bieber to the domain, he ran out of time and had his mic cut. But to emerge from this first debate anywhere but the front of the pack, he would have had to bomb completely. He didn't.

Somewhere, I hear Stephen Harper's soft hands clapping slowly.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/01/21/Justin-Trudeau/

4 replies

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Highlight:

Is Justin Trudeau Stephen Harper's Best Chance? (Original Post) CHIMO Jan 2013 OP

Trudeau is still a bit wet behind the ears.. jambo101 Jan 2013 #1

I agree jambo, MAD Dave Jan 2013 #2

Not the Liberals Saviour terra nova Feb 2013 #3

And there's no reason to go back to the Liberals in order to beat Harper. Ken Burch Feb 2013 #4

jambo101

(797 posts)

1. Trudeau is still a bit wet behind the ears..

Reply to CHIMO (Original post)

Sun Jan 27, 2013, 01:34 AM

Jan 2013

Marc Garneau is the real diamond in the rough for Liberal leader..
The only reason Harper is the Prime Minister is because Dion and Iggy were just too unpalatable for most people to vote for..

MAD Dave

(204 posts)

2. I agree jambo,

Reply to jambo101 (Reply #1)

Mon Jan 28, 2013, 09:36 PM

Jan 2013

Marc Garneau is likely a better candidate to defeat PM Harper for the simple fact that he has less political baggage.

terra nova

(3 posts)

3. Not the Liberals Saviour

Reply to CHIMO (Original post)

Wed Feb 6, 2013, 02:43 AM

Feb 2013

I agree with you guys Justin is not Leader that the Liberals need right now. They need someone who is a little more experienced, more charismatic, and identifiable to all Canadians. Let's face it the only reason Harper is PM, is that the other leaders did not have what it takes. As for charisma it wouldn't take a lot to have more than Harper.

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)

4. And there's no reason to go back to the Liberals in order to beat Harper.

Reply to terra nova (Reply #3)

Wed Feb 6, 2013, 04:23 AM

Feb 2013

Canada has a better and more progressive party, the New Democrats, as the Official Opposition. It would achieve nothing to switch from them to the Liberals, especially since, on economics and social spending(the issues that really matter)the Liberals and Conservatives are almost identical these days.

Canada doesn't need to replace one austerity government with ANOTHER austerity government-and if the Liberals did nothing but austerity in the Nineties, that's what they'd do again this time.

They had their chance. They had a mandate to undo all the damage Mulroney did...and they kept all the damage in place, while inflicting even MORE damage through further cuts in transfer payments and their sabotage of the EI program.

All the Liberals care about are their patrons on Bay Street.

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