In newspapers across Canada today you can read many a critique of the future Prime Minister's showcase speech.
You'll hear about how Mr. Trudeau channeled the key words hope and hard work. You'll read about his subtle injections of his father and the not so subtle acceptance of the fact that he's a teacher by trade. You'll read about his shots fired at Mr. Mulcair and the soon- to- be former Prime Minister Stephen Harper over their brand of divisive politics. You'll read about his wife and children. His lack of substance in his speech. His quest for service to Canadians above all. His love for this country and his extensive knowledge of this country and its people from coast to coast to coast. You'll even read about his notion that he will do politics differently and thereby end the skepticism and cynicism of the common voter and, indeed, all Canadians when they think of politicians.
What you won't read about in Canadian newspapers today is that Justin Trudeau promised "OPEN NOMINATIONS" in every riding across the country. OPEN NOMINATIONS he said. As in, OPEN.
WOW. Just WOW!
You see my friends, Justin Trudeau realizes that in order for Liberals to "do politics different" we must first become a truly democratic party on the inside first. Having open nominations is the beginning of that internal democracy and an integral part of sustained membership and fundraising.
Many of us have fought for this for a decade now, but to no avail.
In February 2006, at a small East Indian restaurant in downtown Hamilton, Michael Ignatieff promised a few of us the exact same thing - OPEN NOMINATIONS. He hadn't announced his leadership bid yet but it was enough to get me on his bandwagon. History shows, of course, that he never carried through on that promise.
I haven't known Justin Trudeau to break a promise - in as much as I've come to know him or of him. I don't suppose he intends to break this one either for fear of being one of those politicians that says one thing and does another. I, with others, will be watching to see if he caves to sitting members and caucus when they pressure him to protect sitting MPs.
Until then, go sell some memberships candidate wannabes!
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It jumped out at me when I listened to Trudeaus speech. I think it is a sound idea, but there are going to be some wrinkles that need ironing out. The single best organised issues based group in Canad is the Pro-Life movement. So what happens when a number of candidates are selected based upon their pro-life leanings. What about other well organised campaigns that really diverge from Liberal thought. I would be mortified if the Liberal Party found itself campaigning on behalf of the Death penalty, or any number of other populist issues. It will need some fine tuning I think.
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