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Pierre Trudeau once asked western farmers a question that (taken horribly out of context) showed him to be callous and arrogant. That he may have been, but not for the reasons around the question. Some may recall the words, "Why should I sell your wheat?" I'm not going to get into the misunderstanding and context here except to say that the essence of the statement was: you do it, we're here to help not do.
So, it's disturbing to read into a statement from the new PM (who never met a public challenge he wasn't ready to pick every side on) that results in a headline like PM asks for proposals to boost funding for athletes. On the one hand, it's pandering to an audience whipped into a frenzy on the subject. On the other hand, it's a weasely way to get out of a straight answer: "we're going to take proposals . . ." Not saying no, not saying yes; just deferring. (And, truth told, given that Martin was accosted while watching a hockey game, it's probably a reflex action honed by years in the political game. My own reflexes tend toward an entirely different, more definitive immediate outcome and greater opportunity to eat those words later on. But that's me.)
Still, regardless of the situation -- media ambush (of the highest "public servant," mind you) -- it's refreshing to have a leader make choices, vocalize them, and let the cards fall as they may. That's the very nature of a tough decision: there are as many who will be pleased as displeased. If it weren't that close, it wouldn't be much of a choice and best left to those for whom no-brainers are mere operations. I think, FWIW, that may be part of the enduring -- and bewildering -- allure of Ralph Klein.
Posted by Grayson at September 1, 2004 07:37 AM