A Campaign Relic Shows How (Little) Politics Has Changed Since 1963

Election Colouring Book

Here’s a fun blog I wrote for the CTV Website. I thought I’d share it here, too.

My esteemed CTV colleague Roger Smith has acquired many unusual campaign souvenirs, but this one is particularly hilarious.

It’s an old colouring book issued by the Pearson Liberals during the historic 1963 election … and 50 years later, you’ll notice the political attack lines haven’t changed much.

History buffs will recall Pearson ran on a platform called “60 Days of Decision.” Perhaps this colouring book was merely a bonus:

RM Blog - 1963 cover

The election was triggered when the minority Conservative government, led by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, lost in non-confidence votes.

With an economic downturn looming, among other things, the Liberals tried to exploit the Conservatives’ fiscal record:

RM Blog - Carpet

“This is a beautiful Conservative rug. It is a wonderful place to hide things, especially facts. If neccessary, it will even cover up a financial crisis. Colour the rug lumpy.”

***

At the time, there was an emerging threat on the political left. A new, upstart coalition called the NDP was formed two years earlier by Tommy Douglas.

The Liberals were quick to define them (even though Pearson later depended on the NDP to pass legislation under his minority government).

RM Blog - NDP

“This is an NDP party. They are discussing their platform. They are against just about everything. Sometimes they are even against themselves. Colour them black and blue.”

***

The military became a hot issue after the Diefenbaker government cancelled the Avro Arrow.

It raised questions about military resources, among others:

RM Blog - Fighter Pilot

“This is a Canadian fighter pilot. He flies for NATO. All the other NATO pilots have planes that fight good. The Canadian pilot doesn’t. Colour him highly embarrassed.”

***

Improving First Nations conditions, and a vision for Canada’s North, were issues the Liberals vowed to address.

Of course, things were less politically correct back then:

RM Blog - Eskimo

“This is an Eskimo. He is looking at a Northern Vision. Other people sometimes see visions in the North. If you see a vision, colour it transparent.”

***

On the back page of the colouring book, we see the old campaign slogan …

RM Blog - Back Cover

The outcome of that election: Liberals narrowly defeated the Conservatives with a minority government, and Lester Pearson became Canada’s 14th Prime Minister.

He won a second minority in 1965 and retired from politics in 1967. Party faithful then elected Pierre Trudeau to replace him.

And the rest, as they say … is history. Colouring books and all.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/colouring-canadian-history-how-the-liberals-campaigned-1963-style-1.1167546#ixzz2Lmv7sHSl

My Take: Finance Minister Reveals Battle With Skin Disease

The deeply personal revelation by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty about his skin condition was meant to douse months of rumours and speculation about his health.

flah

Finance is one of my “files”, so I see a lot of Jim Flaherty.  Last spring, I had noticed he gained some weight, and he looked tired.  I didn’t think much of it – a stressful job with hectic travel schedule probably doesn’t allow one to eat healthy or sleep regularly – and it was around the time of Budget 2012.

Fast forward to autumn that year.  Flaherty met met with private sector economists at the finance building in Ottawa and later took questions from reporters. While his answers were concise, his voice was raspy, his eyes seemed glazed.  But what I specifically recall from that day – how he lingered at the podium after the scrum was over and seemed somewhat disoriented.

I think that’s when the rumour mill launched into overdrive.

Later that day, I made several inquiries to my contacts at Finance, MPs and political staff who know him well.  They all noticed the same thing but were at a loss to explain.

Flaherty held many news conferences since then. At one of them, a reporter did ask about his visible physical changes, but Flaherty didn’t answer and walked away.

His condition appeared to worsen in late November. Perhaps his medication side-effects explains why he teared up during a press conference.

So with no answers, the mystery continued.  Many wondered if his ailing health was somehow connected to why he missed a key budget vote in early December.

Just last week, when Flaherty was clutching his stomach while answering questions in the House, we all knew something was terribly wrong.

I suspect that’s when Flaherty’s new communications director concluded the news had to get out there.

I’ve been asked many times why I – or the 100’s of other Parliament Hill reporters – didn’t press Flaherty to disclose his health condition sooner.  After all, some argue, Flaherty holds a powerful role within government, and is in public life.

Let me answer this way:  I did inquire. Many times. I had been told Flaherty had visible lesions on his arms and neck. It was obvious there was a serous health issue. But the deeply personal disclosure had to come straight from Jim Flaherty.  My colleague Don Martin explains further in his excellent column.