Inkless Wells

 Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW
He also offers his thoughtful perspective of Stephen Harper’s last 10 years in his recent eBook, The Harper Decade.

Categories: Inkless Wells

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  • Terry86

    Actually I think you missed one. His penchant for looking for the best photo-op reminds me of Stockwell Day. Come to think of it there is more than that–the change thing–the outsider thing: Stockwell used those too.

    I think people’s memories are short when it comes to Paul Martin. Remember jaugernaut, 200 potential seats-a failure unless he gets some in Alberta…

  • Andy

    Well if the speech was really that disappointing then I wonder what you think of the probably the worst VP choice in modern US political history. McCain’s experience attacks on Obama are stone dead now.

  • boudica

    “oops I forgot to add that I am a right wing nut who if I were american would be out rallying the troops and voting for the guy – how does he do that?”

    And according to you, you are the same right wing nut who used to work for the LPC led by Chretien. So what’s your point?

  • Geoff

    You forgot Hillary.

    I actually think that Obama’s inferred “rope-a-dope” strategy is his resistance of the Martin/Hillary “inevitable” curse. He learned from Hillary’s loss and didn’t want the convention to be a coronation.

    A close race is his best bet for keeping the grass roots from losing interest.

  • http://Joe joe palaschuk

    I for one enjoyed Obamas speach and thought it was one of the best I ever heard from anyone, He has buckets of chrisma, intellegence and forsight beyond anything i”ve ever seen includng Trudeau. I’d vote for him without a dought. Our Harper is a dough head without chrisma, wooden and dictatorial. No vote for him from me.

  • Wayne

    Hey B: to clarify the point I am impressed and dazzled by Obama like a lot of others and even though you would think I would vote for McCain as I am a right wing nut I think I’d love to see Obama win – he’s that good at working the crowd – after every speech he gives I have the strangest need to have a cigarette after – just Like I was impressed with Trudeau, Mulroney (at first then he became like syrup a little goes a long way) Chretien and now Harper – to quote an old canadian (I think) axiom ” There are 2 types of leaders boneheads and b*stards – and I will take the B*stard that knows how to get people motivated either for or against them as this is the mark of a powerful leader. The worst type of politicians are those that do not bring out strong emotions in people as politics is all emotion.

  • boudica

    Wayne, uh huh…

    And what about their policies? Or is that even relevant for you? I mean… I have to ask because I can’t figure out how you can reconcile working for Harper yet say you would vote for Obama.

    What do you base your vote on? Their looks?

  • boudica

    “America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this.”

    My “memorable moment” in Obama’s speech.

  • Joe

    Americans are losing their jobs and homes in increasing numbers. The Republicans lied to the American people to engage in a futile occupation of Iraq. The social security account has gone from surplus to deficit….

    Despite all these negatives the race with the Republicans is still unusually close while McCain is offering more of the same.

    If Americans are not getting the message now what would a JFK style speech achieve?

  • Bill Simpson

    “If Americans are not getting the message now what would a JFK style speech achieve?”

    Give them more credit than that, but they are not exactly embarrassed for choice, and we are in no position to condescend with our political leaders.

    Obama has not yet actually proposed anything concrete that will impact on these problems. Of course neither has McCain, but he clearly appeals on other levels. They have to vote for someone (or sit on their hands as at least 40% will) and I for one do not envy their decision.

  • David

    You totally photoshopped those pictures to make Obama look less black.

  • Brian

    The first half of the speech almost put me to sleep and I thought he was going to blow it completely, but I actually think he improved in the second half.

    It soounded like a State of the Union address, which is probably what he needed to do.

  • Burt

    “Well if the speech was really that disappointing then I wonder what you think of the probably the worst VP choice in modern US political history. McCain’s experience attacks on Obama are stone dead now.”

    The worst VP choice in modern US political history? Really? Is Dan Quayle really that far removed from people’s memories?

  • Wayne

    Boudica : as I have said several times now the mark of a great leader is the ability to motivate people either for or against them in both events a democracy is only as effective as the involved citizenry and if a leader of a political party is ineffective, incompetent and or disabled when it comes to motivating those around them then they actually are damaging to a democracy. As for policy and political philosophy I leave that for wiser minds than mine I concern myself with 3 questions to determine who I want as a political leader (1) if there is a serious and most likely unpopular situation who do I trust to make the hard decisions to get the job done (2) who can motivate and lead people to get involved and support a common purpose (3) does the leader have the ability to earn praises and curses at the same time because if he or she doesn’t well then they are not worth paying attention to because they will not be around for long!

  • KW

    Sorry PW, but that was a great speech…I wish we had that here.

    Perhaps you’re a little to close to politics to have a less cynical opinion?

    First you missed the David Onley = Paralympics, now this?

    Take a vacation before the election starts. Your head may explode otherwise.

  • http://deleted Sandi

    McCain makes a speech like he’s delivering a eulogy…..ZZZZZZ

    Noun – did you know I was a POW?
    Verb – did you know I was a POW?
    Adjective – did you know I was a POW?

  • dB

    Great post, Mark. Will Paul be taking this blog over again sometime soon? Loved “America Alone” by the way, riveting stuff.

  • Donson

    Did Barack not answer your requests to head a commission too?

  • Pingback: The Delegates : Delayed reaction

  • bud

    I see Inky has disturbed the Chris Matthews/Jim Travers school of Obama/Liberals word fellation.

    Obama’s speech was his chance. He blew it.

    As long as McCain doesn’t make a major gaffe this election is over.

  • Alex

    Hahaha Wow. For all you who claim Aaron Wherry is hyper-cynical, Mr. Wells has just become a contender for that crown.

  • Garth Wood

    Burt writes:

    Is Dan Quayle really that far removed from people’s memories?

    If my political discussions with my fellow citizens over the last twenty years or so is any indication, when it comes to politics the average person appears to have the attention span and memory of an electronic flash.

    Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. ;-)

  • http://cardinal47.blogspot.com Scott

    You are seriously out to lunch. I wonder what you would have said if you had been around at the time of Kennedy’s speeches or King’s “i have a dream.” You would probably have dissed them just to be different. It’s hard to take you seriously anymore. Your blog is becomingly irrelevant. Even though I often disagree with Andrew Coyne I respect his views and his often fresh perspective. I can’t say the same for you. Too much wine in Paris must have softened your brain.

  • http://tigerinexile.wordpress.com Ben

    Well… if Wells won’t say it was undewhelming, David Broder has no such compunctions:

    “There was no theme music to the speech and really no phrase or sentence that is likely to linger in the memory of any listener. The thing I never expected did in fact occur: Al Gore, the famously wooden former vice president, gave a more lively and convincing speech than Obama did.”

    Ouch.

  • M Griffith

    America—-Look out!!!!!!

    Obama is all rhetoric-no substance! A fox in sheeps clothing-don’t be fooled-it’s impossible to do all he says- will happen-he’s not an intellect.

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