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Warren's avatar

"Morneauvian" is now my adjective for interesting and really, really carefully worded interviews on Canadian political podcasts.

I've only been listening to the "Curse of Politics" podcast for about a year and a half now, but I was at once struck by 1) the performative dialed-up-to-11 profanity, but more importantly 2) how much the Liberal duo reminded me of Steve Schmidt and his pals on The Lincoln Project. That's a long story. But it's instructive.

And yet I was still pretty amazed at that podcast's tri-partisan vitriol aimed personally at Morneau a couple of weeks back - when the former finance minister's imminent book publication was announced. Surely, I thought, Mr Morneau had deeply hurt this quartet with his policies, or perhaps via a leaked email.

But that wasn't the case. In fact it's just like Paul Wells describes it during the interview: envious of their places within the governing elites of this country (i.e., Laurentian guns for hire), they simply lashed out at an interloper. Viciously. It was almost like watching Global News and CBC reporters - plus a couple of senior columnists - turn on the trucker convoy ("Yobs with delusions of grandeur"). What delicate, almost fragile sensibilites these people have.

And it also illustrates beautifully one of Mr. Wells' proccupations, the idea that this government spends a great deal of time crafting communications when it could be governing. Mr Morneau upset that applecart, or at least exposed its empty bushels. And perhaps that's why Herle et al., were so *ad hominum* in their attacks.

This is a darned good interview. Tell your friends.

Thanks, Paul Wells.

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Wendy Schau's avatar

Very worth listening to for anyone concerned about Canada's future. Thanks!

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