[ShepherdsDog]

I'd rather he demonstrate some substance first, rather than just being the dauphin

[Jonny_C]

I wouldn't be surprised if the substance is rolled out a bit at a time, after he's the leader.

Everything he says will garner attention.

[Zipperfish]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

I'd rather he demonstrate some substance first, rather than just being the dauphin

Yes, it's an interesting approach. Typically, the leadership races are a way to test candidates prior to the big game. As Trudeau gets a walk on the whole thing, his ideas won't be tested until theya re presented on the big stage, leading up to an election.

On the other hand, if you have too nasty of an internal competition, you end up doing all your oppostion's work for them--as in the case of Romney, for example. Or even Hilary Clinton and Obama leading up to 2008.

[Jonny_C]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

... Or even Hilary Clinton and Obama leading up to 2008.

Obama's done. Hilary Clinton and someone else maybe.

[QBall]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Well, I'm hoping that Trudeau runs a postive campaign myself. It's the type of politics I prefer. Easier said then done, though, especially if the other parties are running a negative campaign.

Unlikely. He has zero experience, no accomplishments to boast of and, so far, no policy platform. What's he going to do in his ads? Wave his hair around seductively while saying "Hi, I'm Pierre's son." If the Liberals aren't prepared to go to the mattresses next election then they'll go nowhere.

[Zipperfish]

QBall QBall:

Unlikely. He has zero experience, no accomplishments to boast of and, so far, no policy platform. What's he going to do in his ads? Wave his hair around seductively while saying "Hi, I'm Pierre's son." If the Liberals aren't prepared to go to the mattresses next election then they'll go nowhere.

Zero experience? He's an MP. That's more experience than Stephen Harper had right there. No policy? No, not much granted. I imagine there will be some hair waving, and I'm sure you're going to need a squeegee to wipe the spooge off your monitor from watching it in slo-mo on youtube.

[Jonny_C]

JT and the Liberals will have a couple of years to work on policy. Plenty of time. His two wooden, policy-wonk predecessors didn't work out too well. The Liberals are starting from a different premise this time.

I think JT might be the worst possible scenario for the Conservatives. He's a fresh, young face who will be presented to a Canadian electorate which will probably be tired of Harper by the time of the next election.

Be prepared for an NDP crash-and-burn at the very least.