Article content continued

But you could forgive Canadians for feeling they’ve been here before. Way back before the Conservatives became responsible for every ethical breach in Canada, the Liberals found themselves struggling against widespread distaste for their sense of entitlement to high office and the perks that come with it. It was probably the main reason they were reduced to a minority government in 2004, and evicted from office two years later.

In the years since, the party has repeatedly declared it had learned its lesson, and would engage in a fundamental reassessment of it aims and values. Somehow it never really happened, however. Other than its attractive, youthful leader, you would be hard-pressed to pinpoint any fundamental differences between this Liberal party and the one that last held office. Indeed, Trudeau has made a point of campaigning with both Paul Martin and Jean Chretien, highlighting the links to the past.

But, obviously, they’ve still got what it takes. The vote isn’t for another four days, but already word’s getting out. As the NDP’s Charlie Angus noted, “The Liberal party usually waits until after an election is over to get involved in a scandal. It just goes to show that the ‘real change’ Mr. Trudeau is offering is apparently to replace the Conservative ‘old boys club’, with the Liberal ‘old boys club’.”

Sour grapes, Charlie. You’ve got to be quicker on your feet if you want to do well in Ottawa. That’s why you guys are in third place, and Justin’s folks are in first.

National Post

KellyMcParland<