Wednesday, July 31, 2002
Pure politics - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- What a difference a year makes. Last summer we were watching the saga at the Canadian Alliance, as they sacrificed one of its own in the name of a caucus revolt. We recall those heady days when Stockwell Day was being forced out by a cabal who coalesced with Joe Clark’s Conservative party. Alas, with a new leader Stephen Harper, the opposition party that looked not capable of running a peanut stand, stands sanctimoniously shaking their collective heads at the mess that ensues at the Liberal Party of Canada -- our governing party.
This summer got off to the right start with the sacking of finance minister Paul Martin. Prime Minister Chrétien fired him because he was getting too ambitious for his job. The 12-year rivalry and bitterness harboured between Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin stewed and exploded with the PM demanding the resignation of a popular finance minister. The war simmered some more, as Martin toured the nation shoring up support for a leadership campaign that’s yet to be called. Chrétien went on to govern the country, hosting the G8 leaders, whilst occasionally sniping at Martin, who was now free to return the favour.
At this moment it seems like détente between the two giants of the current Liberal party. Two poles struggling with one another. One trying to buy time so as to create a favourable image of himself in the history books of the country. The other, who worked loyally for him, now works to gain the seat of power for himself. He, willing to undercut and undermine the current leader at any cost.
Unlike the Tories and the Alliance, the Liberals have realised it isn’t good to denounce the leader publicly. Not during the time of Mackenzie King or even Trudeau have they. They’ve never called for a leader’s head, especially the current one who’s led them to three majority mandates in less than a decade. They’ve been willing, in an effort to propagate their own power, to allow their boss to decide his own fate. But this time it’s different. Were Chrétien to depart tomorrow there’d be nobody except perhaps Eddie Goldenberg or Denis Codere who’d be sorry to see him go. No, Chrétien is quietly now being asked to step aside simply because they’ve all had their fill. The little guy from Shawinigan has become a bully and Paul Martin happens to be ever so ambitious.
Come February the Liberals will gather and the question will be put: will the membership want a leadership vote? If so, then Chrétien has said he’ll cede to their demands and step aside for a leadership convention. A convention which he’s said he will not run for. Yet, he’s raising money as we speak, so his real intentions are unclear. But let us suppose the Liberal membership -- a membership that’s largely pro-Martin -- will say yes to a vote, that means the Liberals will publicly rebuke Chrétien and send him to the dustbin of history. It’ll be the first time the Liberals have eaten one of their own, a task as I’ve said akin to the Tories or the Alliance. That said, I am doubtful, unless the Liberals have real balls, that they’ll do anything except say no to a convention, invariably saying yes in endorsement of their leader’s continued performance. To rephrase that wonderful thought, when it comes to politics, power talks and bullshit walks. All the while all Liberals are, including his Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, praying beneath their breath that da boss will exit quickly and soon.
The Liberal’s, especially that gang that’s pro-Martin, will say all they like now that Chrétien must go. They can go on Don Newman’s program and call for the leader’s head, and even write letters to the PM telling him politely to step down. But when push comes to shove and worse comes to worse, they know defeating Chrétien will only come back to hurt them. They know that the public will see right through their window dressing and see deep down the Liberal Party of Canada has been, and remains a party hell bent on staying the government in this country whatever the costs. Were they to dump their boss, then they’d be exposed for the greedy, sliming power hungry whores they are.
Jean Chrétien must hear the music and know that this chorus calling for his head will not stay silent for long. He’s buying time for now, but he’s got to act and either win his party’s support completely or give up and give into Paul Martin. He’s at the crossroads of the final act in his political career. Chrétien can go on and take his party down with him, or he can step aside graciously -- without anything to show for nine years in power. My guess is he’ll try for a legacy, but my gut tells me he won’t survive, and neither will his party.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .