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Ike Awgu

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Why Justin Trudeau Is the Liberal Party's Biggest Liability

Posted: 10/05/2012 1:07 pm

The American Presidential debate was really interesting but I wonder why Mitt Romney or Barack Obama didn't address the most vital issue for the future of Americans -- Justin Trudeau. I live in Ottawa, our nation's capital. I was walking home the other day when I saw Justin Trudeau walking a few metres away from me -- on the water. I had a dream the other night that I'll never forget -- I saw Jesus kneeling down, praying to a figure in the distance. After focusing on the figure in the distance I realized it was Justin Trudeau, Jesus was asking Justin Trudeau to save him.

If the Liberal party thinks they will be saved by Justin Trudeau, the Liberal party is in for a rude, but potentially hilarious, awakening. He may very well be a good candidate for leader and everyone I know who has met him has nothing but positive things to say, but any misstep for him, presuming he wins the nomination, will be disastrous for the Liberal party.

Trudeau is like a nuclear missile -- he's great to have in your pocket, no wait, that analogy makes no sense. Trudeau is like something that could blow up in your face, destroying everything around you or, if used properly, save you from being eaten by zombies or dragons or you know -- some kind of carnivore.

Trudeau is dangerous because he can be easily caricatured by the Conservatives and the NDP. The Liberal party will have to be incredibly careful in shaping his narrative -- his story, because if they're not, if they allow his opponents to define him, he will do horrible damage to the Liberal brand.

Justin Trudeau is not Barack Obama -- he was not born into poverty, he did not spend years being a community advocate or overcome some enormous burden. He did not accomplish (near as I can tell) anything to suggest he is terribly special or unique. There is no compelling narrative, no story here that is inspiring to a normal person.

Most Canadians in their 20s or 30s have no memory of Pierre Trudeau. All that Justin Trudeau is to us is a good-looking young guy whose dad was Prime Minister and our parents or grandparents mentioned while eating turkey on Thanksgiving that one time. If the Liberal party can shape the narrative around Trudeau, make his story appealing to the common man, make his story our story, then they have a serious chance of serious success.

If I was an advisor for the Conservatives or NDP I would be salivating at the opportunity to define Justin Trudeau to Canadians. Think of the odious narrative you could construct about "Prince" Justin Trudeau. How can any ordinary person relate to being born into the equivalent of Canadian royalty? If the Conservatives or NDP paint him as a spoiled brat who believes he is destined to be Prime Minister because it is owed to him, that he has never accomplished anything but expects everything, it will be the end of him.

In fact, Trudeau's popularity is largely due to Harper's incredible unpopularity. To a significant number of Canadians the man cannot catch a break; it doesn't matter how well Canada is doing compared to the rest of the G8, it doesn't matter what we do in Libya, or whether our banking system is sound or whether our currency is strong, if Steven Harper said that water was his favourite drink, these people would die of thirst.

And therein lies the future for the Liberals -- they have an opening. Many voters plugged their noses and voted for the NDP simply because they hated Steven Harper. People are looking for another place to park their vote -- it's up to Trudeau and the Liberals to convince them that their parking spot has the best view.

Wow -- what was that!? Outside my window as I write this blog post Justin Trudeau has just flown past. He can fly?! Behind him are a red and white flash of colours and the sound, I think, of angels singing.

 

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The American Presidential debate was really interesting but I wonder why Mitt Romney or Barack Obama didn't address the most vital issue for the future of Americans -- Justin Trudeau. I live in Ottawa...
The American Presidential debate was really interesting but I wonder why Mitt Romney or Barack Obama didn't address the most vital issue for the future of Americans -- Justin Trudeau. I live in Ottawa...
 
 
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01:11 AM on 11/15/2012
Great article. You just know that Justin Trudeau would love to emulate Obama's success. Yet that success came from the trials and testings of his upbringing. Justin has just had it too easy. He also had not accomplished anything specific and awe imspiring that all his wealth and fame would have allowed him.
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logicanada
Blogger, radio co-host, writer, editor, voice-over
03:54 PM on 10/09/2012
Uhm, Ike?
Canada is doing well on the world stage and has all but survived global financial calamity due to strict banking and securities regulations incorporated over decades of successive Liberal governance. The US is on the brink of insolvency do to Regan's corporate-ordered deregulation of those same banking and securities regulations. The fact that you are a lawyer-cum journalist does not impress me and I surely hope you prepare client cases better than you prepared for this article.
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Ryan L Painter
Activist, friend to labour, blogger, progressive
07:03 AM on 10/07/2012
Mr. Awgu, you expanded a lot on what I laid out on my own op-ed about Justin Trudeau. I even said at the end of my column that Trudeau was the Liberals biggest liability. It's like we were thinking the same thing. I enjoyed your piece. If you have not had a chance to check out mine, I've pasted it below.

All the best.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ryan-painter/justin-trudeau_b_1925106.html
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TT Esty1
Failure is a temporary condition.
09:54 PM on 10/06/2012
Awgu's flawed logic is perhaps unusual for a lawyer whose discipline requires a structure of thought but is understandable when preference or ideaolgy is proferred as logic. First, Awgu's description of the dangers facing Trudeau would apply to anyone chosen as Liberal leader except perhaps Jesus Christ, himself.

Secondly, Awgu fails to understand the role of a leader except as the old paradigm as Alpha Dog. Leadership also involves aspiration, hope and reconciliation. Trudeau describes his leadership as first among equals and invites all to work towards a common goal defined by all. In this manner, he does echo the NDP process.

Thirdly, again, Awgu is welded to the old paradigm of 'left' and 'right' and finds no place for the Liberals. The reality of Canadian culture is that the people reject the conservative mantra because it is stultifying and oligarchical. The majority vote against the Harper Conservatives is the consequence of distrust well founded in their past behaviour and their reluctance to follow through on promises made. It is our electoral system that made them government and not the people of Canada.

Finally, Awgu should pay careful attention to the Brazeau syndrome as a lesson in not counting your chickens until the eggs are hatched.
09:26 PM on 10/06/2012
Unfortunately for Justin, the Liberal Party of Canada has a nasty habit of annointing a new leader, raising him/her on high, then slowly pulling the rug out from underneath said leader due to in-fighting & jealousy. This percolates into the media as a lack of confidence which turns voters off. If a party doesn't have a clear view of what it stands for & a leader who takes control, why should people vote for them. I can't remember the last time anything that came from the Liberal Party got my attention except for a few soundbites which were inane & Justin's upcoming coronation
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logicanada
Blogger, radio co-host, writer, editor, voice-over
03:56 PM on 10/09/2012
anything percolating through our new neo-con media is likely to be a weak version of the truth and all hyperbole.
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05:49 PM on 10/06/2012
Liberals are going to have to figure out what they stand for other than just "the party between the NDP and Conservatives". And they're going to have to articulate that platform and convince Canadians that it's the right one.

I seriously doubt that Justin Trudeau is the leader to take that on. Rather I expect the usual obscure nostrums that don't really say anything at all.
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03:38 PM on 10/06/2012
One thing Mr.Trudeau has going for him is that he is not a lawyer unlike the vast majority of federal politicians. There is some thing about a full time lawyer who plays at being a part time politician in that they are consummate liars. Justin's father being a prime example. He explicitly said he would accept the recommendations of the Le Dain commissions findings on the non medical use of drugs. NOT! He also swore up an down that he would not implement wage and price controls. NOT!

Another lawyer liar was Mr. Chretien. His assertion that if elected he would cancel the G.S.T. NOT!

I am sure all of you out there have lots of examples of the lies told by those full time lawyers who love playing as part time politicians.
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Barb Bissonnette
Political junkie in rehab
02:33 PM on 10/06/2012
Wow. Where do I start? Canada's economy is relatively better because our banking is sound. Our banking is sound because bank mergers and re-mergers with US banks were denied by the Liberal gov't. Harper can't catch a break? If he didn't have a cabinet that made decisions based on the Alliance Church, I'd give him a break. If his ministers didn't spend more time discussing personhood motions and denying funding to credible, time-honoured organizations, I might give him a break. If he hadn't bound and gagged all of his MPs during the campaign, I might give him a break. If he wasn't selling park land to the highest bidder, I might give him a break. If he wasn't allowing the Chinese government to buy one of our biggest oil companies (and if the Canadian government tried to do so, we'd hear the HOWL from the east coast), I might give him a break. As a matter of fact, Mr. Awgu, I wish the Harper government would give all of US a break.
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Ike Awgu
01:20 PM on 10/07/2012
Well said.
georgee2
My Canada Includes Everyone
01:13 PM on 10/06/2012
I am a real fan of Justin Trudeau's. I like the way he displays common sense on the issues. I also like the fact that he grew up in a Prime Minister's home. I would imagine that he learned a lot from just being there. What background does our current prime minister have that qualifies him to be leader. As far as the Liberal brand goes I am pretty sure that it is still highly salable. The NDP support is a mile wide and an inch thick. Voters in Quebec were angry at the Liberals and the Block so they sent a message. Next election will tell the tale.
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Skepticat
Supporting skeptical felines everywhere
12:27 PM on 10/06/2012
As a skeptical independent with a generally low opinion of all politicians and parties I would say that the biggest problem the federal Liberals have had for years is not the charisma or lack thereof of their leader - foisted upon hapless voters after an unexciting convention as the political version of the Edsel. Nope - the real problem is they never seem to stand for anything other than "Send us back to the trough - because we aren't Harper or Mulroney". Well if you really don't like Harperites, and I don't, why should I vote for the corporate me-too-ism of the Liberals? What's in it for me? Since Harper and friends only rule with 24% of the elegible voters due to the split vote - and the strong showing of the stay at home apathy party, why not dispense with the Liberal party all together - and vote with distaste for the NDP instead?
12:48 AM on 10/06/2012
This is a joke right? At least wait till this boy shows some ability.
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colpy
07:46 AM on 10/06/2012
Which he has failed to do so far.

The only public stance I can remember Trudeau taking is being oh-so-upset because a government pamphlet for immigrants called honour killing "barbaric". He thought that was far too pejorative.

The man is a dweeb.
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logicanada
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03:57 PM on 10/09/2012
people remember what suits them.
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12:21 AM on 10/06/2012
You know, how do you actually know that people voted NDP because they basically have no choice? I mean I get the feeling that is what you feel. I think people want a change and from my perspective I just can't see how the Libs will be able to present themselves as anything other then Libs, with the same run left, govern right agenda. You are completely discounting the ability of the NDP to run a successful campaign. I hope you are wrong. I hope Canadians have matured and really ready to embrace real change. Lib governance has been as bad for Canadians as Tory governance. Under both parties, wages have fallen or remained stagnant while the gap between rich and poor has increased by 285%. Both of these parties own this. Hopefully the NDP will be able to convince Canadians that the change they want is the NDP and JT will actually have to earn the right to lead a government.
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colpy
07:48 AM on 10/06/2012
Yep.

If you wish to wreck the country completely, elect the socialists.

The NDP are a great influence in opposition, but OMG may they NEVER achieve power.

Libby Davies as foreign minister.

Think about that.
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06:30 PM on 10/06/2012
Better then John Baird. Imagine a Mister of Foreign relations actually trying to encourage them. Ok, I know you think you are right. Go ahead. Doesn't  change the fact Canadians now are open to NDP governance.
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Ike Awgu
11:24 AM on 10/06/2012
Thanks for your comment artbbcramer. You're right; I do believe people voted for the NDP because they had nowhere else to park their vote. As for whether or not I'm right, well, time will tell. Happy Thanksgiving!
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06:30 PM on 10/06/2012
Thanks, and you too.
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Gnomish
ego doctus ignarus
09:35 PM on 10/05/2012
There is no Liberal image to damage! When your scrapping bottom every direction is up.

Look at Romney Image is all that's important to a great percentage of the voting public.
06:43 PM on 10/05/2012
What a trivial, irrelevant posting ! I wasted my time reading this ?!?

I must admit the title drew me in. Justin Trudeau ? A liability ?? What has this guy done that I'm not aware of ? Reading further, I realized this piece is absolute fluff, without any substance whatsoever. Ike Awgu doesn't seem to fancy Justin Trudeau - for reasons that shall apparently remain a mystery. Nothing to see or read here.... please move on...
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Ike Awgu
08:58 PM on 10/05/2012
Actually Ace, I have nothing against the guy. It's just a thought exercise... Thanks for the kind words? :) Enjoy thanksgiving.
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Gnomish
ego doctus ignarus
09:36 PM on 10/05/2012
Watch Romney's numbers after the debate...pure sales no substance.

Trudeau can sell.
12:44 AM on 10/06/2012
What has he done that you have heard of ??????
01:55 PM on 10/05/2012
Very cute piece. I enjoyed the opening paragraphs in particular. But if your best argument against Trudeau is that the Convservatives will create a caricature of him in their attack ads, then I have to say it's a very weak argument. They will do that to whomever becomes leader. And they're very good at it. Let's hear what Trudeau has to say before we write him off.