Pubdate: Sat, 24 Aug 2013
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Doug Firby
Page: A11

TRUDEAU'S CALCULATED PLAY FOR VOTERS

A huge political gamble? Or an opportunistic move?

The one thing we know for certain is that Liberal Leader Justin
Trudeau's admission that he took a few "puffs" of pot - even during
his term as a member of Parliament - is not an off-the-cuff, reckless
comment. Instead, it is a daring, calculated move that pits Prime
Minister Stephen Harper's stodgy old conservatives against the
nominally more attuned, youth-focused liberal electorate in a battle
for the hearts of core Canadians.

You don't have to support the decriminalization of pot to be
fascinated by this high stakes chess game. If you love watching
political strategy on a level that puts the TV series House of Cards
to shame, then you'll love what is unfolding in the polarized battle
between chubby old family man Harper versus handsome, hunky young
family man, Trudeau.

Think of the themes at play. Law and order versus common sense. Rigid
adherence to rules versus a little flexibility, because we've all been
there at some point in our lives. And dare we say it? Self-righteous
mendacity versus plain old openness and honesty.

Make no mistake. The Liberal party orchestrated this move after
looking at some interesting polling numbers. An Angus Reid poll done
in the fall of 2012 found that 57 per cent of Canadians support the
legalization of the possession of marijuana. Even in the U.S., two
states - Washington and Colorado - have voted in favour of legalizing
pot, and 19 states have legalized it for medical use.

Canadians appear to be, if not firmly in favour, at the very least
aloof about the use of marijuana. We do not judge our leaders for
admitting they've partaken, especially in an era when even the former
president of the U.S., Bill Clinton, admitted that he smoked marijuana
but (cough, cough) did not inhale.

Let's be clear about this: There is ever mounting evidence that
chronic marijuana use is not good for your health, and for that reason
it should not be encouraged. Of course, it is stating the obvious that
the same can be said about alcohol, the abuse of which has ruined
countless lives. Substance abuse in any form can have devastating
consequences.

However, Trudeau does not claim to be an "abuser," only a recreational
sampler of a product that many Canadians consider to be no more
harmful than liquor. If he claimed to be stoned during party caucus
meetings, voters would more likely look askance.

Trudeau also is playing well with his comments that scientific studies
suggest that the regulation and taxation of marijuana is the best way
to keep it out of the hands of youth.

For their part, the Conservatives - who have had a very easy ride for
the past few years from a disorganized opposition - have stupidly
fallen into a very predictable trap. Harper, asked about Trudeau's
admission, said the Grit's "actions speak for themselves." Justice
Minister Peter MacKay added, "By flouting the laws of Canada while
holding elected office, he shows he is a poor example for all
Canadians, particularly young ones."

Neither comment is untrue, and in fact will play well with the Tories'
core. But it also reinforces the very impression of the Conservatives
that the opposition would like to create - essentially that it is a
bone yard for angry old white guys out of touch with contemporary Canada.

Comically, in admitting he had never smoked pot, Harper pointed to his
asthma. So, a reader might reasonably wonder, what would his behaviour
be if he did not suffer from that ailment?

(NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, it should be noted, also has admitted to
smoking pot, although not while in office. But with his party in a
polling free fall, how many voters actually care?)

As with any calculated risk, the outcome of this manoeuvre is far from
certain. It is potentially high reward move, but it also comes with
immense risk. What if the Liberals have misread the electorate? If
they are wrong, the miscalculation could have devastating consequences
for Trudeau's credibility.

But, on the other hand, if the party has read the voters well on this
issue, Trudeau's move could give the recently all-but-moribund
third-place party the momentum it needs to be a contender in the next
federal election.

Turn off the TV. This real-life drama is much more fun to watch.
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MAP posted-by: Matt