Justin Trudeau is a Dummkopf!

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 32) June 4, 2014

In Edmonton many, many years ago my German speaking grandmother often referred to the young – myself included – as being “dummkopfs” for their mistakes and misdeeds.  To explain, a “dummkopf” is an affectionate German term that literally means “stupid head”, although I prefer the label, “dumb head”.  In today’s lexicon it sometimes refers to someone who is being an idiot.

Affectionately, Justin Trudeau is a Dummkopf!

Justin Trudeau assumed leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada on April 14, 2013 and almost immediately the Liberal party surged to be the most preferred party opposite Mr. Harper’s Conservatives and Mr. Mulcair’s New Democrats.  In many circles Justin Trudeau projected HOPE that things could be done differently.  The EKOS polling firm in December, 2013 ranked Trudeau’s Liberals at 32.1 percent, Harper’s Conservatives at 26.2 percent, Mulcair’s New Democrats at 22.9 percent.  In April, 2014 EKOS ranked the Liberals at 34.9 percent, the Conservatives at 27.6 percent and the New Democrats at 21.4 percent.  Some polls taken in the last month or so are suggesting that the Harper Conservatives have taken a small lead in voter preference opposite the Liberals and New Democrats.  If you ask the Conservative machine, they are suggesting that their advertising is working – Trudeau is “in over his head”.  What is surprising, Mr. Trudeau is offering some credibility to the Conservative slur ads with his past and recent political misstatements and gaffes.  The most recent miscalculation has been the confusing, contradictory kerfuffle over the Liberal leader’s edict on having an open, free nomination process at the constituency level and the pro-choice question.  In interviews in the last week or so Mr. Trudeau has tried to soften his stance on the issues which makes the matter even more confusing.  How he handles the matter will answer the question: is Justin Trudeau fit for the office of prime minister? 

Are There Any Other Dummkopfs?

Thomas Mulcair:  Thomas Mulcair, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, has been correctly identified as an exceptional parliamentarian and he can add to his resume, he’s cornered the prime minister in the Senate expenses scandal, an event that is yet to be fully explained.  Mr. Mulcair is not a dummkopf but that does not mean he hasn’t done some really dumb things.  On top of the list of dumb things is Mulcair’s position on the Senate – he and his party want the Senate abolished.  Now that the Supreme Court has given its decision on the matter and the prime minister has opined that any change must come from the provinces, why shouldn’t the Leader of the Opposition voice a strategy or some recommendations?    Nation Building should not only be the prerogative of the prime minister. 

Steven Harper:  If there is one thing I’m sure of, Steven Harper is no dummkopf.  In my mind, Mr. Harper is a brilliant strategist and to his credit, he almost always has an exit strategy.  But things have gone amiss in the last year or so and the question on everybody’s mind is he able to manage the 2015 election campaign to his benefit.  To highlight a few of his glaring mistakes:  The Senate Scandal story is not complete, specifically Mr. Harper’s personal role in the unacceptable payment of $90,000 payment to Senator Duffy – in the absence of transparency one can only speculate.  The Supreme Court decision on the Senate reform did not go according to Mr. Harper’s wishes.  Criticizing the Chief Justice on the court’s rejection of Mr. Harper’s nomination to the high court demonstrates a lack of understanding of the Supreme Court’s role in Canada.  The Election Reform Act proved that the Harper government to be unreasonably arrogant over the reasoning of experts.  The rejection of the Aboriginal Education initiative by native leaders has destroyed aboriginal relations for years to come.  The Temporary Foreign Workers Program as implemented by the Harper government has proved to be a catastrophe with few options available for repair.

A Final Thought      

Mr. Harper’s political personality can be best described by the World War II slogan:  “Loose Lips Sink Ships” and might be his most enduring political asset but things have gone amok and could very well be the root of his demise.  And by the way, Justin Trudeau could take heed of the “Loose Lips Sink Ships” slogan when planning for the 2015 election.