Let’s be blunt. I haven’t been too happy with Paul Martin lately…and that’s a hell of an admission for a die-hard Liberal such as myself. He made himself ugly in my eyes for keeping that bigot Pat O?Brien in caucus, and he seems to have sat by as the minority parliament fell apart week after week after week. We’re now at the point where Parliament is at a stalemate, and facing an election very few people seem to want.
Then, last night, he addressed the nation…and I think he was utterly marvellous.
Let me speak plainly: what happened with the sponsorship file occurred on the watch of a Liberal government. Those who were in power are to be held responsible. And that includes me.
I was the Minister of Finance. Knowing what I’ve learned this past year, I am sorry that we weren’t more vigilant - that I wasn’t more vigilant. Public money was misdirected and misused. That’s unacceptable.
When was the last time you heard a Prime Minister apologize in such a manner…on national television? He also took a measure of personal responsibility that would have made Mulroney’s head spin, Exorcist-fashion. It actually left me opened-mouthed…wow.
One viewer described the address as a speech of agony. I don’t doubt it…but to bare it so publicly, in such a forthright manner…well, I don’t think politicians are supposed to behave like this.
Let me emphasize that point: if so much as a dollar is found to have made its way into the Liberal party from ill-gotten gains, it will be repaid to the people of Canada. I want no part of that money.
As Prime Minister, I will never hesitate to describe what happened on the sponsorship file for what is was: an unjustifiable mess. It’s up to me to clean it up. That’s my job. I am cleaning it up. And I am willing to be judged on my record of action.
Again, he lays it all out. First, he gives a list of what he’s done to address the sponsorship scandal — substantial moves no one should accuse of being politically motivated. HOW ELSE is the scandal to be resolved?
And then…he promises to give back any money taken out of the pockets of Canadians? How’s that for a novel idea!
I am prepared to face Canadians and have them judge my response to this serious test of leadership. I will be politically accountable. But I believe that before there is an election, you are entitled to answers — to the answers that Judge Gomery is working toward. I believe that Canadians deserve a full and frank accounting of all the facts. Fairness and due process require nothing less.
For that reason, I commit to you tonight that I will call a general election within 30 days of the publication of the commission’s final report and recommendations. Let Judge Gomery do his work. Let the facts come out. And then the people of Canada will have their say.
If the Opposition forces an election before then, that is their choice. But I believe we can do better. I believe we can — and we should — use the coming months to pursue the public-s business. To act on the issues that matter most to you and make a difference in your life.
Wow! Did I say wow already? WOW!
It-s going to happen, one way or another…and, in what I consider a brilliant move, the Prime Minister frames any future election for what it will be: the decision of the people. But they can have it one of two ways: informed consideration, post-Gomery commission…or Opposition-forced election, which can be fought using the selfishness of the Conservatives and the Bloc as an albatross of epic proportions.
I won-t spare many words for Stephen Harper or Gilles Duceppe. Harper says that Martin?s speech was “a sad spectacle”, but the only sad spectacle I saw was his offensive, snide, and sanctimonious commentary. As for Duceppe, it?s same old/same old (though its well spoken, separatist garbage).
However, Jack Layton surprised the hell out of me. “The NDP’s in no rush to judge the scandal, but we are in a rush to get something done through getting a better budget passed,” said Layton, and offered the Liberals support, in exchange for the removal of corporate income tax cuts from the budget.
Another wow, to be sure. What a wild card to throw into the mix (though I’m cynical as to how effective, ultimately, it will be).
It was certainly quite a night, and we’re now in the middle of a whole new game. I truly believe Mr. Martin has bought himself both time and compassion…and if time is thrown away by an Opposition-forced election, then I believe the compassion/understanding/sympathy factor will rise…or, at the very least, be taken advantage of by expert Liberal politicians.
Welcome to the new Canadian order, where NOTHING is certain. The Chinese might view interesting times as a curse, but I feel strangely comforted after last night?s performance…and with Paul Martin’s closing line:
My pledge to you tonight is that I will live up to that ideal. I went into public life because I believe in the good that government can do. And I will do my all as Prime Minister to make sure that your government is worthy of your respect.
The final judgment on whether I have done that will be yours.
Just as it should be.
