Andrew Cohen, professor of journalism and international affairs at Carleton University, takes aim at the media hounds pursuing Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff in the Ottawa Citizen. It’s a good read. Cohen rightly notes how much of the criticism comes from authors/journalists who have accomplished far less with their lives than Ignatieff and who ignore his record since returning to Canada. There was good reason to be sceptical, in 2006, when he was parachuted into Etobicoke-Lakershore, but he has proven himself by winning election twice in a decidedly middle/working class constituency. He has proven himself in building a national political movement and winning the leadership after his first, unsuccessful attempt. As Cohen notes, Ignatieff has served longer in Parliament than Trudeau or Mulroney when they became party leaders.
It has often been written that Canadians resent other Canadians who do well abroad and succeed where they could not (unless they are junior hockey players in an international tournament). Michael Ignatieff’s treatment by the Canadian media is the perfect example. Too many Ottawa-scene pundits are content to regurgitate the negative messages issued from the Harper political bunker, where the envy of Ignatieff’s success is palpable. Together, they looked at a man of talent and accomplishment and saw a Canadian they had to “cut down to size”. Expect more negativism before the autumn political season resumes. Expect Ignatieff’s response to surprise and impress a lot of Canadians.
