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The fact that Tom Mulcair was dumped by the NDP is not notable. The remarkable point is that he was dumped unceremoniously and firmly by a 52-48 vote against him. This is unprecedented in Canadian politics. Usually after an election loss disillusioned parties vote in the 60-40 range in favour of the scapegoat. The tepid win sends the message, and the offending leader resigns.
So why this move of historical proportions? Sure, Mulcair lost an election that at one point the dreamers, aided by faulty polling, were sure he could win. Other leaders have lost elections. What’s the scoop?
What Is Going On?
In case nobody noticed, there is rebellion afoot in both Canada and the United States. The little people are tired of being told what to do by autocratic leaders. In Canada, the blow fell on individuals. Stephen Harper’s fascist leadership style finally got him the boot from the whole country. Tom Mulcair was brought in as a ringer with the mandate to win the election. He used his power unwisely and lost. Out he goes.
And in the States?
The Americans, with a much more entertaining system, are having more fun with their similar revolution. In both political parties there was a great groundswell of members who grew tired of the party machine telling them how to think; they went looking for an alternative. Since it was America, they found Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, two least-likely Presidential candidates on an unprecedented scale. Not that I mind Sanders. If he was running in Canada, he’d be the leader of the middle-of-the road Liberals, and if Justin Trudeau was out of the picture, he’d have a good chance of the top post.
Autocrats Must Win
You see, the disadvantage in being an autocrat is all those people who think we live in a democracy. They keep trying to make their stupid opinions count, not realizing that the wonderful leader is the only one who matters. But as long as he keeps winning, a lot of people will put up with his attitude. The Myth of the Strong Leader, and all that. But Mulcair lost. Big mistake. Stephen Harper and the Republican Party leaders were hit with the same stick.
But Didn’t the Democrats Win?
The Democrats are harder to understand. Part of their problem may be the old 8-year cycle for leaders. People start wanting something new. In spite of the fact that it’s their party that’s trying to win the election.
Added to this is the baggage that Hillary Clinton brings. First, in a stroke of complete irrationality, apparently women blame her for not dealing with her husband’s infidelity. Between the ones who secretly felt that if she’d just treated him better he wouldn’t have strayed, and those who wanted her to chuck him over, she doesn’t stand a chance of coming out of that situation in good shape.
Her second problem is her lack of charisma. The Americans have had 8 years of Obama, the perfect statesman. They look across the border and see Canada with Justin Trudeau, social media star. Then they look at their candidate, who seems to be right up there with Angela Merkel in the running for “dumpiest elderly stateswoman.” This is the country that confuses a Presidential race with reality TV, after all. She’s just not good casting.
The Results
In Canada, it seems that the “Out with the Old, In with the New” movement has landed us with decent leadership. So far. Let us hope the Americans come to their senses and realize that, in spite of what I said last week about what an election should be, you at least have to choose a candidate with a chance of winning. Perhaps even someone close enough to the hearts of the whole electorate to lead the country for the next four years. Or eight.
The present Democratic President, with policies like Obamacare, had enough trouble dealing with Republican stubbornness. Can you imagine Bernie Sanders trying to sell his political agenda to the 70% of Americans who are not Democrats?
So, in Canada life is back to normal. The Conservatives are trying to regroup, their historical task. The NDP have returned to trying to decide how far to stray into the radical wilderness. And the Liberals are in power, with everyone waiting for the realities of governing to hit them.
And the Americans are just getting started.
What a wonderful time to be a journalist!