OPINION: Just watch Justin

At first glance you might think that riding Justin Trudeau’s coat tails would mean a guaranteed trip to Ottawa for some lucky local candidates.

That’s what I thought.

After his meet and greet at the DaVinci Centre last week the challenge for local ridings appears  to be finding star candidates who can successfully ride that bandwagon.

Just like many others at the rally I have a crush on Justin and I was there to lay eyes on our great Canadian hope.
But I had my own reasons for mingling with a ballroom full of crusading Liberals.

I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about concerning Justin Trudeau and if he was as engaging and sincere in person as he appeared in the media.

I wanted to see how the local electorate reacted to the star power of the new Liberal leader.

But my main reason for attending was entirely selfish – I still remember Trudeaumania in ’68 when Pierre Trudeau waltzed in to the Fort William Gardens.

I wasn’t old enough to vote but I can recall the mini-skirted entourage that ushered him into the Gardens waving red Trudeau signs in time with the music.

He delivered an impassioned speech to a full house that evening and the crowd roared at every innuendo.

Pierre Trudeau went on to be elected prime minister.

He made a lasting impression with at least one young Canadian that night with an election euphoria that has never since been repeated.

And I wanted more.

That’s what I was seeking at the DaVinci last week from the younger Trudeau, more than four decades after his dad.

When he sauntered into the room (sans entourage) the crowd was on its feet and applauding enthusiastically  – everyone was smiling and trying to catch his eye.

Following a round of introductions Justin addressed the constituents – I watched both him and his captivated audience as he delivered his canned comments.

His remarks were not written specifically for Thunder Bay but he did put national and international issues in a local or at least a Canadian context.

But it didn’t really matter what he said – we were there to see, not hear him and besides, Justin delivered his most important message just by being Justin.

The moment he walked in the room everyone could see he was a man of distinction, unassuming, intelligent, soft-spoken and thoughtful.

Am I gushing?

He arrived without hype and without pretense and even if he lacks the Hollywood charisma of his father, his presence filled the room and when he spoke, everyone fell silent.

I don’t know if Justin noticed but as I surveyed the admiring faces in the crowd it was very obvious what is wrong with Canadian politics.

Young people are mostly disengaged and disinterested – at that Liberal rally young Canadians were definitely conspicuous by their absence.

I would say 80 per cent plus of the audience could have voted for his dad, maybe even Mike Pearson (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

Fortunately there were four young people in my own entourage – bright, productive, savvy young Canadians – and I asked them their impression of the Candidate.

They all liked him – they found him honest, forthright, considerate, well-spoken and polite.

They appreciated his good-natured ribbing of Michael Gravelle but they didn’t remember hearing any insults, attacks or put-downs.

They also found him taller than they expected – what’s up with that?

It was no Trudeaumania but in my opinion the new look of Trudeaumania II may be a force to be reckoned with.
How far will Justin go?

To paraphrase his charismatic father, just watch him.