Article content

A month after chasing him down the steps of the White House, Democrats welcomed Joe Biden to the stage of their convention in Chicago to make it clearer how much and truly they love him.

Article content

“We started … with President Biden, who we all love, who we all adore, and we look forward to seeing him tonight,” party chairman Minyon Moore babbled on Monday, the first day of the Democratic convention, as delegates and party elders waited for the incumbent president to make his point and get the matter over with.

“I love you so much, Joe,” Vice President and potential successor Kamala Harris assured him to the adoring crowd. Biden wiped tears from his eyes as they chanted their affection. Even former Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to cry a little, which one late-night show host joked was “like the iceberg waving goodbye to the Titanic” given her role in ousting the president from office.

Maybe it’s true, as claimed, that Biden’s farewell speech was delayed until nearly midnight Eastern Time—way past prime time—because the crowd was just so excited to clap, cheer, and show their love. And maybe he was sincere when he claimed not to be bitter, angry, or otherwise upset about the turnout. Or maybe he didn’t care that his speech was scheduled so early in the festivities, and reserved later dates for bigger fan favorites like Oprah Winfrey and Barack and (especially) Michelle Obama.

Article content

Article content

Be that as it may, getting rid of Biden was cold-blooded and certainly messier than many would have liked, but it was undoubtedly the right decision, as polls have shown since the moment he caved to pressure and announced he would give up his place on the November ballot to another Democrat, clearing the way for Harris’ coronation. The Biden team stumbled straight toward defeat. Harris was quickly elevated to savior status – not least by a visibly relieved liberal media landscape – and has a real chance of success if the momentum can be maintained.

This sudden change of course means that the United States is now one of those countries whose political parties believe that loyalty to a head of state remains obligatory only when he or she becomes a serious enough burden to threaten their hold on power.

Article content

Britain has been getting rid of underperforming prime ministers for some time. Margaret Thatcher secured three majorities, but the Conservatives didn’t shed a tear over her sacking when they realised it could cost them a fourth. That coup worked so well – they got another six years of John Major in office – that they repeated it after Brexit, rotating a series of incumbents in and out of Downing Street until Labour finally found a leader who could put an end to it all.

Australian parties have also rarely hesitated to part ways with incumbent prime ministers if the prospects of success looked better under someone else. That is one reason they have had seven prime ministers in 14 years.

Canada, of course, is different. Less brash, more accommodating. For over a year, opinion polls, surveys, backroom whisperers and anecdotal evidence have strongly suggested that Canadians are fed up with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and would very much welcome his departure. If an election were held today, the Conservatives would enter the race with an 18-20 point lead. Forecasters say the Tories are expected to win a total of 209 seats, while the Liberals will win 75. The Conservatives are ahead in every electoral region except Quebec, where they are neck and neck with the Liberals. A recent Abacus poll suggests they may have moved into first place, narrowly overtaking the Bloc Québécois.

Article content

Trudeau is a major reason for the Liberals’ misery. Three quarters of Canadians say it’s time for a change, and 68 per cent want Trudeau to step down. Too bad for them, because Trudeau has repeatedly said he wants to lead the party into the next election campaign. The few voices who have raised doubts from within their own ranks have been harshly punished, and others have been persuaded to keep quiet, even as every attempt at renewal fails. A generous budget has not worked. Cabinet reshuffles have not worked. The attempt to recruit a star candidate in Mark Carney has failed. A summer of campaign-style appearances has failed to get the Liberals on their feet.

When Biden’s disastrous debate performance spooked Democrats enough to consider a successor, few dared to voice their fears publicly. Biden refused to go and showed every intention of resisting. Party leadership feared being seen as disloyal. Given Harris’s unimpressive record as vice president and widespread doubts about her ability to do better, there was no obvious successor.

Article content

Pelosi gets much of the credit – if you can say that – for concluding that enough is enough and it’s time to move forward. “My goal is to defeat Donald Trump,” she said in an interview while promoting her newly released book. “And when you decide to defeat somebody, you make every decision in favor of that opponent. You don’t joke around, OK?” By not joking, she made it acceptable for other Democrats to do the same. The result was an explosion of enthusiasm fed by pent-up relief.

Liberals who doubt Trudeau face the same caution that Democrats face about Biden. Openness is not encouraged on Team Trudeau. Those who question the boss risk being branded disloyal. There is no obvious replacement, nor is there any guarantee that a new face would resonate better with voters. And it is not certain that there would be a similar burst of renewed enthusiasm if Trudeau were to step down. In this respect, Liberals are in a similar boat to Republicans: They have become so devoted to one man’s identity that no one can be sure what would be left after he leaves.

Article content

So their strategy is to wait and hope that something changes to win back the voters’ favor. Maybe the economy will take off. Maybe houses will become affordable. Pierre Poilievre could still make a mistake big enough to wipe out his lead.

Trudeau and his cabinet are meeting in Halifax next week to “focus on the federal government’s work to strengthen the middle class, grow the economy and ensure equity for every generation.” So nothing new. It would really take backbone for one of the attendees to suggest it’s time for the prime minister to ease into retirement. Backbone is hard to find. There’s no sign that Canada’s Liberals have a Pelosi in their ranks.

Do you have thoughts on current events in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or around the world? Send us a letter to the editor at [email protected]

Article content