Canada's Answer to Obama

If there was a Canadian Political Idol who would win? We know that in the USA Obama would be a Slama but what about this great big land of tundra?

Manufacturing political stars would be a ratings winner I think. Instead of having contestants sing you have them talk about their political platforms. Crazy you say? Crazy like a Tasmanian Devil. We're not really that far off from such a show. Isn't politics a popularity contest now?

Since Mr. Canoehead is not a politician, my pick would be Justin Trudeau. He's perfect. He has no real political experience. But what he lacks in hard seasoned credibility he makes up for through his lineage. His legitimacy lies directly in the he is the son of one of this country's most charismatic leaders ever - Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Alas, as much as I liked the famed pirouetting PM for putting Canada on the international map, I must confess I was not entirely enamoured with his appreciation for the likes of Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong. Neither was Nixon I hear.

It won't be long before the Liberals begin to sell the hype. The Liberals are experts at repackaging and selling at a discount. It will be relentless and people will buy into it. It's the making of a media darling and the media will eat it up like Jaba the Hut ate Jawas.* He'll be like the Shirley Temple of Canadian politics. They may very well invent a drink for him.

Ironically, Trudeau's rise has made me appreciate Action Democratique leader Mario Dumont more- recent comments notwithstanding. Dumont created a political party from scratch. He has hung in there to the point of having seats in Quebec's National Assembly. He's a political animal. Who knows? Maybe he'll be elected to power one day. Which brings me to another ironic realization, if the ADQ survive, Quebecers will have three party's to choose from. That's one more than what Federal politics can offer.**

Following Justin's moving speech during his father's funeral a few years back, the country buzzed over his good looks and articulate wit. As I remarked to my wife at the time, "And a political star is born." Snap, snap. Just like that. 30 seconds in the microwave and the Liberals have someone to help out their sorry butt's.

Nor am I convinced he has more astute sense than his brother. Alexandre's sophomoric soliloquy revealing his reverence for Castro (he compared him to Superman or something) a couple of years ago was something right out of South Park.

If the Trudeau boys are the future of this country I would suggest you sell your bonds and move away. If you are a pampered socialist then you may want to consider holding them. Other than that I would probably enjoy a beer with both of them.

There you have it. Justin and Obama on the rise together. The future looks good for North America. Don't forget to call and vote for your favorite politician.

*I can't verify that it is in fact true Jaba ate Jawas.

** I deliberately and consciously made a point of not including the NDP.