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Populism is undeniably sexy at the moment — why else would Kellie Leitch be getting coverage from the derided press? — so let me put my non-populist argument in terms the non-elites understand: The Conservatives are Connor McDavid and Justin Trudeau is Carey Price with a groin injury. Now isn’t the time to bait the fans by telling them the Muslims are coming, it’s time to put the puck into Trudeau’s gaping goal.

Fine. But you have to win the battle (leadership) before you can win the war (forming government). Populism could work. But spreading dog-whistle manure all over the battlefield will be noticed by those who will later be scoring the wider war.

Sure, standing on the steps of the Alberta legislature bemused by idiotic chants of “lock her up, lock her up” is a sure-fire vote-winner for some, but stopping Justin Trudeau from taxing and spending the country into oblivion is a vote-winner for more, not only across the Conservative coalition, but for those people who voted Harper in 2011, but not in 2015.

Instead of whining about how the media elite are in bed with Trudeau, candidates should be beating Justin Trudeau with the clubs the Liberals have been kind enough to provide.

Conservatives are spoiled for options. It’s precisely the time to drop the cynicism that has infected the party and stand for conservative principles, not double down and treat the “non-elites” as fools.

Lock Notley up? For what? Implementing policy you don’t agree with through legitimate legal, legislative and constitutional processes? We’re fortunate to have a way to oppose just such a thing in Canada, they’re called elections. Remember how angry you used to get when lefties used to whine the same way about Stephen Harper’s mandate?