LISPOP | Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion and Policy

Will the Patrick Brown sex scandal be a blessing in disguise for Ontario Tories?

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 09:39

There is a school of thought among Ontario Progressive Conservatives that the worst is behind them, that the scandals and upheaval of the past two weeks will prove to be a blessing in disguise as the party moves ahead with a new leader and fresh resolve to wrest control of the province from the detested Kathleen Wynne and her shopworn Liberals.

A skeptic might dismiss this as cockeyed optimism, but the notion that from disaster will spring great fortune is gaining traction. It is worth examining.

Caroline Mulroney for leader? Not just yet.

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 01/29/2018 - 08:52

Caroline Mulroney has a bright political future. She may be premier of Ontario one day, if such remains her ambition. But now is not her moment.

Her name was the first out of the mouths of television pundits in the hours following the stunning demise last week of Patrick Brown as the leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives – the man oddsmakers were touting to win the provincial election in June. But Brown is gone, his career ruined by exposure of his alleged penchant for inebriated teenage girls.

Trump is destroying America’s image in Canada and most other countries

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 12:00

Many of the globe’s big shooters in government, business, the arts and media will assemble in Davos, Switzerland Tuesday for the start of the annual four-day World Economic Forum.

The political landscape they will review has changed dramatically since they gathered a year ago, due primarily to one leader who may or may not show up. That’s U.S. President Donald Trump whose attendance, as of this writing, was contingent on the absurd government shutdown drama being staged once again in Washington – the 19th shutdown “crisis” since 1976.

“President Oprah” is silliness writ large

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 09:10

Even political junkies must agree: it’s time to slow down. From mainstream media to the insatiable demands of cable TV and social media, the news cycle has gone out of control in the age of Trump. Before the public has a chance to absorb one event, disaster or outrage, another wave of information (or disinformation) sweeps over us.

The West Wing: “racked with paranoia and everyone despises everyone else”

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 09:40

“Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. ...I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!”

Who would have believed it?

Trump’s base loves him just as he is – unapologetic and unrepentant for 2018

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Tue, 01/02/2018 - 08:54

"I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose voters" – Donald Trump, at a 2016 campaign rally in Iowa.

He was probably right.

Trump is one of a kind. He’s a politician who exists outside the box of political convention, a leader who frustrates the best efforts of pundits to predict what he may do or what havoc he may wreak in the year ahead.

It’s time for Trudeau to try a little humble pie

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Thu, 12/28/2017 - 10:39

John Diefenbaker waggled his finger sternly across the aisle as he instructed the Liberal government of the day in 1968: “It is a long road that has no ash cans.”

While the provenance of Dief’s metaphor is obscure, his warning was clear. You think you know what you are doing, but don’t get so full of yourself, so convinced of the rightness of your course that you do not see the obstacles littering the road ahead.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his present-day Liberals must surely understand the Chief’s message. Their 2017 has been full of ash cans.

Trump is Trudeau’s secret weapon

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 12/18/2017 - 08:47

“Good grief, Charlie Brown!”

How else can one react to the news that has set the blogosphere aflutter – or, should we say, atwitter?

The news: Justin Trudeau, our very own prime minister, has been named the Second Most Influential Person in the World.

Wow!

Attack politics, Diefenbaker-style, will not help Andrew Scheer

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 12/11/2017 - 09:17

The most frustrated politician in Ottawa these days has to be Andrew Scheer.

He has been leader of the opposition for six months, long enough to have moved out of the shadow of his predecessor, Stephen Harper, and long enough to put his own stamp on the Conservative party.

If only Bill Morneau had arrived in Parliament in sackcloth and ashes!

Submitted by Geoffrey Stevens on Mon, 12/04/2017 - 10:05

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” – Jesus to his disciples, Matthew 19:24

Chances are Bill Morneau will ride out the storm and live to fight another day as minister of finance, but he has not made it easy for himself or the prime minister.