Thursday, February 04, 2016

Justin Trudeau and the Politics of Empathy



I thought Justin Trudeau's question and answer session with ten so-called ordinary Canadians the other night on the CBC, was a pretty decent little TV show.

Another pleasant sign that our country is starting to look like Canada again, after the muzzled darkness of the Harper years.

And I certainly didn't think that it would offend anybody.

But then I hadn't counted on the Con media, or the outrage of Tasha Kheirridin.



Who was so offended she's calling Trudeau Prime Minister Oprah.  

The entire exercise was not designed to provide any answers to anything, or anyone, but to show that the government, in the form of Trudeau, is listening to people. It represented the Oprah-fication of Ottawa. It was a wholly gratuitous exercise, at public expense, both of the PM’s time and the CBC’s resources. Which, I realized, was what had actually made me so furious.

After listening to hundreds of thousands of people for 13 weeks on the campaign trail, why did Trudeau, barely three months into his job, have to sit down with 10 more? Do people really think he doesn’t know what’s going on out there?


And all I can conclude after reading Kheirridin's impassioned rant is that either the shock of Trudeau's victory has shocked her to her Con core, and she's losing her mind.

Or more likely, like so many others in the MSM, she just doesn't get it. Doesn't understand the new politics, or the politics of a new generation.

Or doesn't understand what Jeff Sallot calls the politics of empathy. 



So you thought the election campaign ended last October? Think again. Justin Trudeau, with the backing of the CBC, marches his media-savvy Sunny Ways campaign onward through these bleak days of winter.

Because although Sallot drenches his article piece with the kind of cynicism that is so characteristic of our MSM, and so many others in this country.

Being ordinary Canadians they were, of course, far too polite and failed to pry loose even the smallest nugget of news. Professional interviewers like Rosemary Barton or Terry Milewski would have done better. 

But hey, news wasn’t the point — certainly not for the CBC. I’m not sure anyone at the public broadcaster had a clear idea of what this program was supposed to be about (other than the need to make nice with a new government that’s promised to restore the broadcaster’s funding).

Who think they are being smart and witty, when in fact they are just wailing the song of the walking dead... 



And although Sallot makes the same mistake in assuming that we would rather listen to the questions of the Con media, rather than the questions of ordinary citizens like me and you. 

And doesn't understand that Trudeau is simply reflecting the ways of a new generation, because it really is 2016.

At least he recognizes that his empathy seems genuine, understands that in hard times a little empathy can go a long way, and help build up public support for the many challenges he faces.

And that the one they said was not ready, is already quite a formidable politician who understands among other things that a campaign is never over.

On a cold winter night eight years ago in Iowa, Barack Obama promised American voters change and offered them hope. But after he won, he squandered his political capital by refusing to use the bully pulpit of the Oval Office to go over the heads of political opponents and sell his policies directly to voters. He made the mistake of thinking the campaign was over when the polls closed. 

Trudeau seems determined to avoid that mistake. He seems to understand that effective leadership means getting up every morning and pitching the message, day after day.

A politician who can make even a seasoned reporter like David Akin look like a fool.

By making him think he had been pressured into pumping gas like Rona, only to leave Akin holding the hose.

And one who understands only too well that he is at war with the Cons, the Con media, and powerful interests in this country who are seeking to destroy him by whatever means necessary.

Which is why I like this picture so much...



Because although he is already being attacked after only three months in office like no other Prime Minister before him.

And although it is still too early to try to predict what might happen. Or whether he will survive the onslaught from those on the right, and sadly some on the left. 

I suspect that those who underestimate Justin Trudeau, as so many have before.

Will end up disappointed.

Or live to regret it...



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18 comments:

Dan said...

They got to shriek because they're not the type of people who goes quietly in the night. They are mentally two year olds who refuse to go to bed (although to be fair, a two year old doesn't know any better) and throw a big ass temper tantrum.

Empathy isn't a right wing strength. The lack/denial of empathy is what makes these Reformacons, Reformacons.

Marmalade said...

Another reason to be A Proud Canadian.

Anonymous said...

I though it was set up as a gottcha exercise but he is brave and honest and he turned it into a plus.

Simon said...

hi Dan...yes, I hate to generalize, but the Harper Cons seem to lack both empathy, and any sense of social responsibility.Empathy is also widely considered a female value by them, so is also looked down for that. When of course it is a human value, and the precondition for a civilized society. But they are beasts and they would turn us into some kind of heartless jungle. But the good news is we are more and better than the, and we will defeat them...

Simon said...

hi anon...I'm sure the CBC was hoping it would turn out to be that, despite what Sallot says, because as we know these days the CBC is the Conservative Broadcasting Corporation. But I thought Trudeau handled it well, and as I said in my post it was quite a change from the grim Harper years...

Simon said...

hi Kathleen....yes it is. It is good to see a Prime Minister act like a human being, and it does look like Canada again...

Anonymous said...

Yes, Simon, I really think you are right. Trudeau will continue to surprise many with his depth. Under estimate away nay sayers, it only increases his polling numbers.

Trudeau compassion is contagious, and I say yay! It's good for us all.

TK is an idiot. Hopefully her pay cheque will be freed up soon for a more worthy journalist. There are many who would do a more balanced job. Funny cons criticizing CBC, when in fact the corp has no direction whatsoever.

Cheers Simon, love the Trudeau WWI illustration, I think Senior Sinclair would approve.

TS

Unknown said...

Your right in pointing out Simon that Trudeau is from another generation and reflects the style of that generation. Coming from the boomer generation I have to keep reminding myself of that. I like his style though. Harper was a coward who always hid from the Canadian public and governed in secrecy. Trudeau, like his father is at home with himself whether he is in Canada or any other country he travels to. It takes incredible confidence to do what Trudeau did in answering questions from 10 Canadians. That confidence is what the Cons are actually criticizing. Harpers dictatorial arrogance was not rooted in confidence. He was a profoundly insecure man. Every situation he did show up at had to be planned and scripted ahead of time. Trudeau is the opposite. He will enter into situations that he has no control over and let the chips fall where they may. He is completely exposed. That takes guts. His natural charisma is unmistakable and let's face it he is a beautiful looking man.By contrast the Cons come across as hillbillys.

David said...

Tasha Kheirridin writes: "It was a wholly gratuitous exercise, at public expense, both of the PM’s time and the CBC’s resources. Which, I realized, was what had actually made me so furious."

No, what is a waste of the CBC's resources is giving Kheirridin any air time! Does she actually BELIEVE what she says/writes?

Anonymous said...

Hi Simon, I think it was wonderful and brave of him, knowing full well he can't begin to fix the damage of the last nine years overnight or have answers to problems that were created by The Harper Occupation. But at least he cares and has not gone into hiding like the other guy. Funny a "journalist" hasn't noticed the lack of communication from the Occupiers which must mean she approved and is scum like them. After letting the Occupiers skate for 9 years I will certainly never buy another newspaper and have no sympathy for her ilk. I rely on You and several journalists at @ipolitics, like Micheal Harris for the truth. Gong Show in the House again today. I don't know how The Liberals and NDP aren't rolling on the floor laughing. I sure am. Sunny Ways !! Pam.

Anonymous said...

Your analysis nailed it Simon. Its been truly depressing watching Obama, in one of the most powerful positions in the world, compromise and struggle with trying to do the right thing for fear of being impeached by the crazy right and their media trolls.
RT

Simon said...

hi TS...yes, I think Justin Trudeau has all the qualities that could make him a really great Prime Minister. And I think he will surprise a lot of people, including the Con clowns in the old media, who just don't get it. As for Kheiirridin she can be OK sometimes, but she really swallowed the Kool Aid with that article. I'm surprised, I thought she might get it because she is relatively young, but unfortunately like so many Cons her ideology blinds her...

Simon said...

hi Pamela...yes for the first time ever I feel the power of generational change stirring out there. I saw it in Scotland during the independence referendum campaign. It helps explain the success of Bernie Sander's campaign, and the appeal of Jeremy Corbyn in the U.K. The much maligned millennials are finally waking up, and they can recognize themselves in Justin Trudeau. Unlike the good ol' boys in the Con media who not only don't get it, they seem personally offended by his style. And have been attacking Trudeau more in the last three months, than they ever attacked Harper in his almost ten years in office. I like Justin's style, I did think it was brave of him to allow ordinary citizens to grill him on TV. And what I particularly like is his invitation to Canadians to get involved in the political process. Because great things can come of that. Some of my friends kid me about my support for Trudeau because most of them support the NDP. But even though I too voted for the NDP, I have to be honest and say that Justin is already for me the best Prime Minister ever....

Simon said...

hi David...yes I found that paragraph particularly bizarre. I actually thought it was an excellent use of the CBC's resources, and anything that increases citizen involvement in our political process is in my opinion a valuable exercise, and the CBC should be encouraged to keep doing it. Kheirridin is a classic Con libertarian, so maybe empathy bothers her, but her article was both overheated and absurd....

Simon said...

hi Pam...I agree it did think it was brave of him, and it did look like Canada to me. And after the horror of the Harper years, I feel I can finally relax knowing that the country is going in the right direction. Nothing is perfect but it's a million times better than what we had before. And I have to admit that I still have to pinch myself that we now have a Prime Minister like Trudeau. As for the House of Commons the Cons really are turning it into a Gong Show. The way Rona Ambrose delivers her lines couldn't be more scripted or wooden, and the Cons still haven't accepted the fact that they lost the last election. The little respect they have for democracy is only too apparent...

Simon said...

hi RT...thank you, and yes the way Obama has been attacked by the crazies in America is a depressing sight. I realize many progressives are disillusioned with him, but for me he is still the best President ever...

Anonymous said...

Interesting your view on TK. I've only read right wing infalamatory crap from her pen. I also believe I saw her on Power and Politics in October, which I'm still recovering from. Unfortunately youth doesn't mean brains. Although there is a nice air of it now in Ottawa (youth and brains).

TS

jrkrideau said...

. Trudeau, like his father is at home with himself whether he is in Canada or any other country he travels to.
Damnation, you hit it,