Spin doctoring
The spin doctors, those public relations gurus who are supposed to know exactly what buttons to push to make us react indignantly against a government, are quietly blowing fuses.
Up to now it has been assumed if you launched scurrilous rumors about someone in public life or even uncovered an embarrassment in that person’s past, there would be such moral indignation he or she would be shunted to oblivion.
The recent attempts to pull down President Clinton in the United States failed because the general public believes he is doing a good job of administration. They are so cynical about the dirty in-fighting that has marked U.S. politics they discount alleged immorality.
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Here in Canada the spin doctors thought gains might be made out of criticizing Prime Minister ChrŽtien’s appointment of a friend as a senator. They were wrong.
Canada’s politicians are always a few years behind the Americans in campaigning style so it will take a while before they realize that muddying Jean ChrŽtien’s shoes won’t win them any Brownie points. If the economy suddenly drops, then they may be able to make points about the need for change.
Voters want good government and a vibrant economy. If the Liberals don’t provide the legislative climate needed to adjust to adversity they will be sent packing.
Personal attacks may be part of the fun of the House of Commons but they won’t do much to convince the tax-paying public that adversarial Members of Parliament and the PR people who advise them are worth the money they are costing.
