Received a panicky email from a veteran broadcast producer. "Paul: you're way too far from the camera." Honour requires that I emphasize, I have no intention of making anyone sit through an hour of video this lousy. I'm gonna get professional assistance as I proceed. And probably a couple more cameras for different angles. And lighting. And so on.
The feedback could have been worse. Yesterday, I was told this during a Zoom call: "Can you please move a chair back at your table? You're too close to the camera."
This is a great idea - hope you get some interviews.
A Liberal candidate that sat down with Jordan Peterson would earn my respect. And Pierre Poilievre should do a podcast with Paul Wells and an interview Rosemary Barton.
A potential PM must be able to defend their policies with anyone.
I felt a little better when I saw Vassy Kapelos say that she hasn't interviewed Trudeau since 2018 and has never interviewed Poilievre. I mean, when did our leaders become such chickens. I guarantee to all of these people that the job will always be far, far harder than the questions.
I think it's because they've lost the plot, to the degree that politicians ever had the plot, about "questions" and "answers". When's the last time you heard a politician in Question Period ask someone a question, rather than making a declaration that's phrased, Jeopardy-style, as a question?
Paul, just wanted to thank you for the invitation to all liberal candidates for the prime ministers position. This is an important conversation and I hope they will all accept your offer.
What's stopping the progressive parties from forming a coalition as they do in Europe?
Ideally, they'd amalgamate to place a permanent stamp on the matter. 3 progressive national parties is two too many. But if that's impractical, why can't they find the ideal candidate and all support the same guy or girl? Ask people like Wab Kinew or Charlie Angus or Naheed Nenshi or Jodi WIlson_Reybould or Christia Freeland to debate and hold an internet vote open to legimately-registered members of the participating parties.
Wouldn't it be nice to hear the factual rebuttal to "Axe the Tax"?
You are not, with the exception of Kinew, bringing anyone new to the game. Neshi is just another Trudeau. JWR will be highlighted as the person who installed rotating doors in Canadian jails and created a two-tier Justice system. Freeland the bobble head was behind Trudeau 100% until the bus appeared. Until the Regressives find someone left of centre they will be in the wilderness. The NDP had one in Thomas Mulcair and they tossed him in favour of the Rolex socialist. With the exception of Kinew, and Brad West there few credible young Regressives out there and Kinew is still the shiny new object.
To answer your question, cultural and stylistic differences. NDP voters and Liberal voters have a lot in common in terms of policy and ideas, but the NDP establishment and the Liberal establishment are very, very different in terms of their views on realpolitik.
Right or wrong, Liberals are more similar to Conservatives than to New Democrats, in that we believe politics is about making a difference by achieving and using the levers of power, and New Democrats believe it's about speaking your truth in a debate and getting seven percent of the vote. I at one point had a Google News Search up for "MPP". I once got two simultaneous e-mails. One was "new Conservative MPP hopes to make cabinet". And the other was about a New Democrat participating in one of those poverty-simulation stunts, and the headline was something like "New NDP MPP hopes to find tree to sleep under". Sorry - one of those things is more like a Liberal than the other.
*Of course* what the government does is more important than someone's style, and of course you're right that if the overwhelming majority of Canadians that's to the left of Poilievre coalesced behind someone, it'd be great. But New Democrats and Liberals just bug each other in a way that makes this very difficult to do.
I find LPC policies and rhetoric assume that shareholder, manager, and worker interests are aligned or gloss over those distinctions altogether. Assumes the audience sees themselves entirely as "middle class or eager to join it." There's no data there
Oh, hundred percent agreed on that piece. I know literal millionaires who think of themselves as "middle class" because, hey, *they* know people who are even *richer than that*, and let's be honest - these are the kinds of people the LPC in its current incarnation panders to. Rich people who want to be reassured that they're not the *bad* rich people.
I think you make a good point about glossing over the distinctions, too. Liberals tend to accept the premise that Paul Martin's kid and Frank Morneau's kid were economic geniuses---hey, who knows more about money than a rich guy?
On the other hand, I've found the Ontario NDP under Andrea Horwath and Marit Stiles...not quite as annoying in *how* they pander, but also kind of centrist and pandering. So I agree with you that I'd love for the Liberals to have *more* class consciousness, but I don't know if the NDP has that much either.
I guess you'd call me one of those "working to join it" types---I came from a middle-class family growing up, am middle-class now, but was poor in my twenties and thirties. Not "very little left over after paying the mortgage and maxing out the RRSP" poor - *poor* poor. I've never felt like the NDP gave much of a damn about me (or the Liberals, or the Conservatives). Honestly, I think the closest thing we've had to a politician with any kind of sympathy for actual poor people has been Jean Chretien - and even he was more of a "would give somebody a dollar while walking past them on the way to an event at the Empire Club" guy, right?
This is a question that will likely be germane after the election, but which won't be part of the Liberal campaign before the election. If they both end up leaderless after the campaign, I'm sure it will be a huge topic.
Very cool idea! Among your many questions, would you ask any who accept your generous invitation why they are doing this on Canadians time? Don’t they have a country to run? When Paul Martin announced his leadership plans, Jean Chrétien booted him out of the Finance job immediately, saying we can’t have a Finance Minister who is not 100% focussed on his main job. I liked Paul Martin, but I agreed with Chrétien.
I don't completely disagree with you, but you've gotten the Chretien-Martin timeline a bit mixed up.
Paul Martin started devoting every waking minute to seeking the Liberal leadership around, I don't know, 1942. His machinations to take over the LPC and depose Chretien intensified through the '90s and early '00s. Martin left cabinet June 2, 2002, because for some reason, Chretien decided that then and not 1942 or 1991 was when his behind-the-scenes maneuvering had crossed a line; Chretien announced in August 2002 he was resigning; Martin announced his candidacy in March 2003. He certainly didn't leave cabinet due to announcing his leadership campaign.
I agree with your argument that we need ministers focused on running the government right now, for sure.
No need to bow! That era is seared into my memory - I was a hungry young Liberal staffer at the time. Now I'm...well, I'm still hungry. Gotta give me that.
We (Canadians) need exposure to the candidates. I subscribe to your podcast because I'm not especially partisan. I like it when you are even handed in presenting ideas and people or at least make the effort. Thanks.
Awesome reference. I hope you don't mind if I quote it: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."
If anyone else were doing this, I would not be interested, since the eventual winner may be leading a party reduced to rump status in the next Parliament. They are rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic IMHO. But you always manage to make things interesting indeed.
Received a panicky email from a veteran broadcast producer. "Paul: you're way too far from the camera." Honour requires that I emphasize, I have no intention of making anyone sit through an hour of video this lousy. I'm gonna get professional assistance as I proceed. And probably a couple more cameras for different angles. And lighting. And so on.
you should keep the robot arms tho.
Pew pew
The feedback could have been worse. Yesterday, I was told this during a Zoom call: "Can you please move a chair back at your table? You're too close to the camera."
This is a great idea - hope you get some interviews.
Omg, my Polish heart loves that poster!
Great office. I love what you've done with the place!
Not wise to ignore long-form podcasts in 2025. And better you than Jordan Peterson.
A Liberal candidate that sat down with Jordan Peterson would earn my respect. And Pierre Poilievre should do a podcast with Paul Wells and an interview Rosemary Barton.
A potential PM must be able to defend their policies with anyone.
I felt a little better when I saw Vassy Kapelos say that she hasn't interviewed Trudeau since 2018 and has never interviewed Poilievre. I mean, when did our leaders become such chickens. I guarantee to all of these people that the job will always be far, far harder than the questions.
I think it's because they've lost the plot, to the degree that politicians ever had the plot, about "questions" and "answers". When's the last time you heard a politician in Question Period ask someone a question, rather than making a declaration that's phrased, Jeopardy-style, as a question?
And the conversations will be far more polite, I expect, than the histrionics of Question Period.
So true. Chickens. Are you afraid of sharing *your own ideas* with the voters you want to vote for you?
My hope would be both. I'd like to see these candidates talk with Jordan Peterson, and I'd also like Pierre Poilievre to take Paul up on his offer.
Paul, just wanted to thank you for the invitation to all liberal candidates for the prime ministers position. This is an important conversation and I hope they will all accept your offer.
*Fills up mega-tub of fresh popcorn for the ensuing entertainment...🤘🏾😋
Spectacular poster.
I just shared this with Frank Bayliss via Instagram.
(I was raised in DDO so I figure it’s my job)
Paul, you're on a roll. This promo itself is a hoot and I'm looking forward to the intervews.
If any!
They'd be nuts to not take this opportunity.
What's stopping the progressive parties from forming a coalition as they do in Europe?
Ideally, they'd amalgamate to place a permanent stamp on the matter. 3 progressive national parties is two too many. But if that's impractical, why can't they find the ideal candidate and all support the same guy or girl? Ask people like Wab Kinew or Charlie Angus or Naheed Nenshi or Jodi WIlson_Reybould or Christia Freeland to debate and hold an internet vote open to legimately-registered members of the participating parties.
Wouldn't it be nice to hear the factual rebuttal to "Axe the Tax"?
You are not, with the exception of Kinew, bringing anyone new to the game. Neshi is just another Trudeau. JWR will be highlighted as the person who installed rotating doors in Canadian jails and created a two-tier Justice system. Freeland the bobble head was behind Trudeau 100% until the bus appeared. Until the Regressives find someone left of centre they will be in the wilderness. The NDP had one in Thomas Mulcair and they tossed him in favour of the Rolex socialist. With the exception of Kinew, and Brad West there few credible young Regressives out there and Kinew is still the shiny new object.
To answer your question, cultural and stylistic differences. NDP voters and Liberal voters have a lot in common in terms of policy and ideas, but the NDP establishment and the Liberal establishment are very, very different in terms of their views on realpolitik.
Right or wrong, Liberals are more similar to Conservatives than to New Democrats, in that we believe politics is about making a difference by achieving and using the levers of power, and New Democrats believe it's about speaking your truth in a debate and getting seven percent of the vote. I at one point had a Google News Search up for "MPP". I once got two simultaneous e-mails. One was "new Conservative MPP hopes to make cabinet". And the other was about a New Democrat participating in one of those poverty-simulation stunts, and the headline was something like "New NDP MPP hopes to find tree to sleep under". Sorry - one of those things is more like a Liberal than the other.
*Of course* what the government does is more important than someone's style, and of course you're right that if the overwhelming majority of Canadians that's to the left of Poilievre coalesced behind someone, it'd be great. But New Democrats and Liberals just bug each other in a way that makes this very difficult to do.
I would say that the NDP shows more explicit class consciousness than the LPC. And the LPC might benefit from a little more of it.
In what sense do you mean? I'd be interested in your thoughts.
I find LPC policies and rhetoric assume that shareholder, manager, and worker interests are aligned or gloss over those distinctions altogether. Assumes the audience sees themselves entirely as "middle class or eager to join it." There's no data there
Oh, hundred percent agreed on that piece. I know literal millionaires who think of themselves as "middle class" because, hey, *they* know people who are even *richer than that*, and let's be honest - these are the kinds of people the LPC in its current incarnation panders to. Rich people who want to be reassured that they're not the *bad* rich people.
I think you make a good point about glossing over the distinctions, too. Liberals tend to accept the premise that Paul Martin's kid and Frank Morneau's kid were economic geniuses---hey, who knows more about money than a rich guy?
On the other hand, I've found the Ontario NDP under Andrea Horwath and Marit Stiles...not quite as annoying in *how* they pander, but also kind of centrist and pandering. So I agree with you that I'd love for the Liberals to have *more* class consciousness, but I don't know if the NDP has that much either.
I guess you'd call me one of those "working to join it" types---I came from a middle-class family growing up, am middle-class now, but was poor in my twenties and thirties. Not "very little left over after paying the mortgage and maxing out the RRSP" poor - *poor* poor. I've never felt like the NDP gave much of a damn about me (or the Liberals, or the Conservatives). Honestly, I think the closest thing we've had to a politician with any kind of sympathy for actual poor people has been Jean Chretien - and even he was more of a "would give somebody a dollar while walking past them on the way to an event at the Empire Club" guy, right?
This is a question that will likely be germane after the election, but which won't be part of the Liberal campaign before the election. If they both end up leaderless after the campaign, I'm sure it will be a huge topic.
Very cool idea! Among your many questions, would you ask any who accept your generous invitation why they are doing this on Canadians time? Don’t they have a country to run? When Paul Martin announced his leadership plans, Jean Chrétien booted him out of the Finance job immediately, saying we can’t have a Finance Minister who is not 100% focussed on his main job. I liked Paul Martin, but I agreed with Chrétien.
I don't completely disagree with you, but you've gotten the Chretien-Martin timeline a bit mixed up.
Paul Martin started devoting every waking minute to seeking the Liberal leadership around, I don't know, 1942. His machinations to take over the LPC and depose Chretien intensified through the '90s and early '00s. Martin left cabinet June 2, 2002, because for some reason, Chretien decided that then and not 1942 or 1991 was when his behind-the-scenes maneuvering had crossed a line; Chretien announced in August 2002 he was resigning; Martin announced his candidacy in March 2003. He certainly didn't leave cabinet due to announcing his leadership campaign.
I agree with your argument that we need ministers focused on running the government right now, for sure.
I bow to your better recollection.
No need to bow! That era is seared into my memory - I was a hungry young Liberal staffer at the time. Now I'm...well, I'm still hungry. Gotta give me that.
When it was fun being a Liberal
It's been a while on that, for sure.
Conversations like this are what makes Paul's Substack great. Thank you both.
Can’t wait to see who shows up
We (Canadians) need exposure to the candidates. I subscribe to your podcast because I'm not especially partisan. I like it when you are even handed in presenting ideas and people or at least make the effort. Thanks.
Your pitch has Shackleton expedition ad vibe. Love the cheeky tone for a sincere offer and interesting project.
Awesome reference. I hope you don't mind if I quote it: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."
If anyone else were doing this, I would not be interested, since the eventual winner may be leading a party reduced to rump status in the next Parliament. They are rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic IMHO. But you always manage to make things interesting indeed.
Thanks in advance, friend. And best wishes for strength and courage. HNY!