Yes, But

[bcholmes]

Once again, I am nodding in agreement with Paul Wells:

Within days, Martin was phoning the skittish social conservatives in his caucus and reassuring them that he doesn't actually plan to run on a policy many intend to oppose.

This is sad news to political satirists, who were looking forward to an election over gay marriage led by a prime minister who cannot bring himself to say, "I'm in favour of gay marriage." Martin seems to believe there is something icky about his policy. He carries it at a hygienic distance, as if with tongs. He defends the Charter of Rights, he says, not a massive social change that flows from it. "You can't pick and choose," he said in Fredericton. "The prime minister of the country is the prime minister of all Canadians. You can't pick and choose the minority rights or the fundamental rights that you're going to defend."

You mean you wish you could?

Comments

Re: Yes, But

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

You mean you wish you could?

hm. i am not a fan of martin, but i don't think this is entirely fair. in fact, i think this distinguishes martin from those social conservatives who'll vote against the proposed legislation, that he believes this to be true, and that he is willing to suppress his personal wishes in the face of what the charter guarantees.

i can't find it within myself to be pissed at him over not bringing himself to say that he is in favour of gay marriage. i think it's sad because i wish everyone would see its innate rightness, but you know, i have respect for somebody who puts his effort into a policy that he doesn't personally support 100%, but supports politically because he thinks it's the canadian thing to do.