Okay, so here is what’s probably going to happen. In the coming weeks, as Liberals are forced to quickly take the true measure of both their party and the country, they will wonder if they should play it safe. And in fairness, with all that’s going on, this reflex—should it come—is understandable. After all, how is anyone in this situation really supposed to know what to do?
A good place to start on most things is with what you do know. Here’s what we know about Pierre Poilievre. As much as Liberals, or even liberals, may think he’s a joke, it appears that most Canadians now don’t. The vision he has for and of Canada—as a consumerist, sectarian, egocentric place—may be uncomfortable for progressives to accept, but for months, Canadians of all ages and most demographics have told pollsters at every opportunity that this is what they want, or at least they like the sound of it. They’ve seen Poilievre’s huckster delivery, his pithy pitches, and his web-bro swagger, and by and large, they’re into it. And yes, Poilievre’s not big on details. But what we know, for now, is that the last thing Canadians want is for the Liberals to find someone who will explain those details to them.
