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OTTAWA — Kellie Leitch’s enthusiasm for Donald Trump in the Conservative leadership debate surprised even her closest supporters.

The unscripted reference to the policies the two have in common — “like screening immigrants” — has intertwined her fate with his.

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For most Canadians, Trump is as popular as halitosis — polls suggest 70 per cent disapprove of him. But the proportion shrinks dramatically among the 100,000 or so Conservative members who will elect the party’s next leader — that number is more likely an even split, according to various campaign insiders.

The move is not without risk. One disappointed former member of her staff took to Twitter to point out she used to be minister for the status of women — the implication being she has now hitched her star to a man who revels in “locker room banter.”

But since she and Quebec MP Steven Blaney are the only candidates among the 12 who took part in the debate in Saskatoon fishing in the “Canadian values” pool, doubling down on the idea of vetting immigrants does offer her a path to victory.