This week it’s about politicians dear diary, but not about my stalled mayoral bid.
Having been exposed to several politicians, I have made a few observations over the years.
One of the latest is Brad Wall. I don’t get to talk with him much, but I’ve come to a conclusion he does relate to the great unwashed public fairly well. He even comes off as a guy who is having fun and if he isn’t having fun, he wants to have fun. He’s learned quickly that if you want to lead the pack in Saskatchewan you can’t take yourself too seriously. Issues? Yes. Yourself? No.
He doesn’t have to ride in on a white charger, just an old Dodge Charger, if you will.
Campaign rhetoric does push recall buttons.
I remember the fun some reporters used to have at functions involving former Premier Roy Romanow.
Bets would be placed as to what minute in his speech, he would remove his suit jacket, and slowly roll up the shirt sleeves while not missing a beat in his delivery. It was his way of appearing folksy in front of rural audiences. Those who guessed the three to five minute time-span, usually won.
You could also place bets on when the well-rehearsed politician will tell an inquiring reporter “that’s a good (excellent) question.” It usually comes between the third and fifth question in an interview and it’s just a regular old question, but the rehearsed politician is trained to say it because it’s supposed to draw the reporter closer to their subject. The fact the politician never answers the question, is beside the point.
Also, politicians don’t like it when you ask them to answer the previous question, so you might as well move on with another “great question,” that will also go unanswered.
I miss the genuine folksy politicians who knew how to work systems. I first ran into John Diefenbaker who happened to be having some photos taken by my mother right on my eighth birthday. I hung around the studio and I knew he kinda liked me, and I kinda liked him and I liked him even better when he dug into his pocket and handed me a 50 cent piece, and told me to “go get ‘em buckshot.” Clever politician. What office seeker today carries 50 cent coins in their pocket to impress street urchins?
Much later, I ran into Dief the Chief again in Prince Albert. The former PM was still a MP. He sauntered into the office, sat on the side of my desk and told a few jokes and asked me if I had any questions. Totally unprepared, I blurted a few lame off-the-cuff inquiries, took some notes and we finished our soft drinks and he wandered off. A few minutes later I realized I had just had a casual conversation with a former Prime Minister of Canada and he was just another regular guy in unguarded moments when politics were pushed aside. He also walked his dog daily without an armed escort while he was PM. Nice stress reliever I figure.
I worked the Ontario political scene during Trudeaumania, but managed to dodge that bullet.
Back in Saskatchewan, I recalled two very easy and warm discussions with Allan Blakeney, who, I believe, wasn’t always comfortable in all surroundings like Wall is, but still could convey an easy-going sincere manner when stakes were lowered.
Lorne Calvert? Same thing.
I know, name dropping again. But, I just wanted you to know that sometimes politicians can be fun to be around, if they let you in.
