Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW

Categories: Capital Read, Inkless Wells

by Paul Wells on Friday, November 20, 2009 4:57pm - 19 Comments

From a colleague at our Maclean’s Toronto headquarters:

“[Another colleague] just called from her place in the flu line at Metro Hall. Eight

over from her is Dalton McGuinty. Also waiting.

“No press, no aides, just one guy who looks like security.

“She thought someone ought to know.”

Tags: Dalton McGuinty, this won't hurt a bit

http://intensedebate.com/people/jolyon jolyon

I wonder if it was McGuinty or his handlers who realized an imperious-premier story was not at all needed after the past few months of Lib misrule.
http://intensedebate.com/people/CndnRschr CndnRschr

A. Good for him in setting an example.
B. Politicians are representatives of the people. As soon as they lose sight of that and think they should be treated any differently, they lose their moral authority. Unfortunately, it usually only takes about 20 days in Queens Park or the Hill.
http://intensedebate.com/people/psiclone psiclone

Way to go Dalton .. and kudos to the media usually good stuff never makes it = no drama
http://intensedebate.com/people/VinceClortho VinceClortho

Yes some politicians actually mingle with the Hoi Polloi. It is good to see.

Now for the not so serious comments

1) What? He doesnt have a family doctor, why is he taking up a place in public line up causing some mother and her kid to wait another 15 minutes….the nerve

2) I guess this means there is no shortage.
http://intensedebate.com/people/SisyphusThis SisyphusThis

"I know I got the vaccine weeks ago. But I bet if I go stand quietly in line over there
someone will not-so-quietly notice. I love other people's tweets."
http://intensedebate.com/people/psiclone psiclone

you should work in communications for a poltician as it is dowright machiaveliian – see if you can send a resume to Peter Donolo!

http://intensedebate.com/people/SisyphusThis SisyphusThis

Years of living in the MacKay pocket borough.

Anonymous

What a bunch of cynics. I just think this says something positive about public security in Canada.

http://intensedebate.com/people/SisyphusThis SisyphusThis

Mea culpa. Fortunately I know a lot – a lot – of people who aren't cynical and they
save me from myself at times.

D-R

No press is the real highlight.
http://intensedebate.com/people/straittohell straittohell

I briefly met Dalton McGuinty and chatted with him for a few minutes at a charity fundraising event. He was polite, warm, and genuine. Without going into his policies, I can honestly say that him standing in line like everyone else shouldn't be suprising. He truly believes in what he is doing and acts with good intentions – it doesn't give him a free pass, and it doesn't mean that we have to automatically agree with the decisions he makes for Ontario, but it does mean he should get more respect than appears to be out there.

PeteTong

I agree. He's probably one of the most underrated politicians in Canada right now. You should seem him in Question Period under fire on eHealth and the HST. He's completely calm. Premier Dad.

http://straittohell.blogspot.com Straittohell

He's also one of the few politicians to bother issuing mea culpas – not always, but actually does do it from time to time.

Luke

Just saw video of this on Dalton's facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Dalton-M…

Dot

No press, no aides, just one guy who looks like security.

Well, there goes that narrative.
Dot

[Gotta protect those colleagues...]

http://intensedebate.com/people/tigerinexil1428 tigerinexile

Whether it was staged or not, McGuinty's a smart guy.

Set a good example: wait in line, get the shot. Encourage good behavior, and demonstrate humility.