As the week closes, it has provided a most valuable lesson for would be Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, best to remember what you said and who you said it about, before you begin a quest for the leadership of a National Party.
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Trudeau, the perceived front runner for the Liberal leadership after just a few months on the trail, ran into a wee bit of trouble on that rocky path to mountain top, as it seems that when it comes to politics few ever forget, especially when the candidate, relying on a bit of charisma, is presented with his own words to chew over.
The issue of course is Justin Trudeau's off handed characterization of Canadian governance these days, apparently in his minds eye under the yoke of a cabal of Albertan's, who it seems just don't get the rest of the country.
The irony of course being that he issued his thoughts on a Quebec based television program, which played heavily to the theme that Canada would be a much better governed place if some Quebecois participants had their hands on the levers of power again.
The Sun Media Group, was more than happy to provide the video clip, much to the delight it is said of Conservative Members of Parliament who as the twitter verse discovered, were quickly learning of the Trudeau faux pas while the House of Commons was in session.
Originally, the candidate from Papineau took to the usual standard of response when these kind of embarrassing moments come to light, the ever popular "I was misquoted" statement was issued, which apparently only had a shelf life of believability of less than 24 hours.
Friday, Trudeau swallowed that bitter pill of reality and took ownership of the statement, though talking it back with the thought that he perhaps worded things wrong, in the quest for his true intention.
That being that it's the Conservatives and not Albertan's that are apparently ruining the country, which will perhaps help soothe some of the Alberta Liberal party's internal feelings, but really, won't do much to suggest that it's not what may truly be his belief, that the province as a whole is a square peg in the Trudeau concept of Canada's round hole.
The resuscitation of his past observations come after a week which featured some pro-energy and investment thoughts for the province, a few of which raised a few eyes seemingly to be at odds at his previous observations on the environment, our industrial impact on it and the need to do more to protect it.
It remains to be seen if his Alberta beef comes to haunt his leadership prospects, it probably played well in Quebec and maybe Ontario, which will most likely make the difference in the leadership campaign and he'll then have no shortage of time to try and reinvent his Alberta image (and views) by the time another election campaign comes around.
The problem with his comments, beyond the obvious damage that they do to the Liberals rebuilding efforts in the west, are that they reinforce the belief of many Canadians that Quebeckers believe that they have some claim of ownership on the running of the country.
The review of his television appearance of two years ago, also gives many a chance to review some other controversial ruminations of the candidate. Last year Trudeau observed that he disagreed so much with the Conservative agenda of Stephen Harper that even he might consider the options of Quebec becoming a country.
Add that, onto his less than steady handling of the Alberta outburst and it's not hard to see how perhaps Liberals might want to consider a full vetting of his campaign, along with all others as to which ones actually reflect a "national" vision for the third place party.
One thing is certain, he didn't do any favours for Liberal candidate Harvey Locke, who is in a tough race, with the Conservative candidate, possibly a Liberal breakthrough moment in Calgary Centre's by election on Monday.
With less than 72 hours til the polls open, Locke is probably hoping that Justin doesn't drop in to help him do some main streeting...
Vancouver Province-- Justin Trudeau apologizes for 2010 video interview (video)
Canada.com-- Trudeau slam at Alberta typical of Canadian politics
National Post-- "I'm sorry": Trudeau apologizes for controversial anti-Alberta remarks
National Post-- McGuinty and Trudeau give Albertans new cause to be wary of Liberals...
Toronto Star-- Justin Trudeau faces uproar for alleged anti-Alberta comments in 2010 interview
Toronto Sun-- Trudeau says sorry for anti-Alberta comment
CBC-- Trudeau 'sorry' for Alberta comments he says were aimed at Harper
CBC-- At Issue panel: Justin Trudeau, the Liberals and Alberta (video)
CTV-- Trudeau apologizes for anti-Alberta remarks (video)
Huffington Post-- Justin Trudeau Alberta Comments could Derail Liberal Star's Momentum
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