Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau

betsy · May 13, 2016

Should Harper have taken lessons? Or did it not matter, because no one cared what he had to say ?

It's not only about what he had to say. It's also how you deliver it.

Did you see Harper speak like Trudeau - with the ahhhh? It's okay if it's only once in a while....but Trudeau gets carried away with it!

Edited May 13, 2016 by betsy

?Impact · May 13, 2016

It's not only about what he had to say. It's also how you deliver it.

Did you see Harper speak like Trudeau - with the ahhhh?

Last pre-election interview with Peter Mansbridge, Stephen Harper had 25 ah's, and 29 um's

Transcript is available at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2105-full-text-of-peter-mansbridge-s-interview-with-stephen-harper-1.3218399

As I said before, when delivering a practiced speech he was ok but when talking off the cuff he was full of um's and ah's. This is not much different for anyone else. It is more visible in Justin Trudeau because he does not avoid the press.

Smallc · May 13, 2016

It's not only about what he had to say. It's also how you deliver it.

Did you see Harper speak like Trudeau - with the ahhhh?

Yes. It's quite typical. Obama also does it.

bush_cheney2004 · May 13, 2016

Yes. It's quite typical. Obama also does it.

Then it must be OK...just like this "First Lady" dust up...the Americans are "definitional"....Trudeau said so.

Big Guy · May 13, 2016

If she's doing party fundraising, they can pay for her.

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Many leaders of political parties, when in the leadership role, get funding from their party. I find this response interesting - So if the Liberal Party pays for 2 assistants and Sophie only shows up at Liberal fundraisers or at charities that the Liberals support then that would be OK.

But if the Liberal Party paid for 2 assistants and Sophie attended all requests, no matter if they favored the Liberal Party or not, then it would NOT be OK?

I hope I am misunderstanding your position.

betsy · May 13, 2016

Last pre-election interview with Peter Mansbridge, Stephen Harper had 25 ah's, and 29 um's

Transcript is available at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2105-full-text-of-peter-mansbridge-s-interview-with-stephen-harper-1.3218399

As I said before, when delivering a practiced speech he was ok but when talking off the cuff he was full of um's and ah's. This is not much different for anyone else. It is more visible in Justin Trudeau because he does not avoid the press.

Well I never noticed it with Harper.

But why is it so pronounced with Trudeau? Oh yes....the breathy ahhh, also comes with the heaving of his shoulders.

It's just so distracting.

Edited May 13, 2016 by betsy

Big Guy · May 13, 2016

I agree with the OP. In re-reading the media articles on this matter, it seemed to me Sophie's biggest problem is that she's swamped with requests. As she said "I can't be everywhere". The PMO is said to be helping her cope with the volume of correspondence she's receiving. Hence it's imperative she say no since she simply can't accept all speaking engagements.

As suggested by others, the Liberal Party should take an active part in managing Sophie's (to hear tell) "extraordinary public appeal". The Liberal Party and her PM husband are reaping most of the rewards of said popularity. I say "most" because whichever groups she graces with her presence would probably get something out of it. And let's not forget this is a boon to the fortunes of her Quebec based clothes designer since her fashions are on display every time Sophie is on a stage.

Oh the humanity! The problems faced by the rich and famous.

Thank you for a sense of reality. The partisan backbiting here sometimes gets sickening.

No matter what this active spouse of our current PM might or might not do will continue to be a source of venom from the pitchfork crowd.

The simple solution is for the Liberal Party to hire whatever assistance Sophie requires to perform what she considers her duties as the wife of the PM. But you know the howling that would start about influence peddling, preferential treatment of pro-Liberal organizations etc.

I am a Canadian first and a party member sometimes when a party satisfies my vision of governing. (Although I am a paid up member of every major Canadian political party). I have watched Trudeau on the International stage and am proud of him (and his wife) and the way they represented Canada - the same as I was proud to see Mulroney and Reagan singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" on stage in 1985. The more positive and realistic light than can be focused on Canada the happier it makes me.

Canada must be one of the few countries whose citizens seem to go out of their way to tarnish the image of someone they have chosen to be leader.

Canada, what a wonderful place to live!

msj · May 13, 2016

Well I never noticed it with Harper.

But why is it so pronounced with Trudeau? Oh yes....the breathy ahhh, also comes with the heaving of his shoulders.

It's just so distracting.

Gee, I wonder why you notice it in Trudeau and didn't with Harper? :rolleyes:

Partisan much?

But I find this hilarious: ?Impact comes up with objective evidence that Harper used "ah" and "um" lots too and you ignore that evidence and go straight for the personal anecdote: "Well I never noticed it..."

Of course you never noticed it because, partisan.

For the record - I notice it whenever anyone speaks but that's thanks to attending Toastmasters who have had a corrupting influence on the way I listen to anyone except my wife (who I always listen to ).

Smallc · May 13, 2016

Well I never noticed it with Harper.

But why is it so pronounced with Trudeau? Oh yes....the breathy ahhh, also comes with the heaving of his shoulders.

It's just so distracting.

It's distracting because you're looking for faults.

?Impact · May 13, 2016

(Although I am a paid up member of every major Canadian political party).

While I don't have a problem with someone holding membership in many political parties, the parties themselves do. How do you answer the following question for the Conservative party?

Conditions of Membership:

I do not hold membership in another federal political party.

.. or the Member declaration for the NDP?

I hereby state that I am not a member nor supporter of any other federal political party, nor a member or supporter of any other provincial or territorial party where there is a provincial or territorial NDP.

I don't see the statement explicitly in the Liberal party membership application, but you do agree to abide by their constitution which includes the following:

Qualification for membership

(d) not be a member of any other federal political party in Canada;

overthere · May 13, 2016

I guess you didn't read the quotations I provided. I can't imagine anyone criticizing her husband for not "putting his family first" or for "farming out the kids" or for wanting to do things other than "cleaning, laundry and yard work." In 2016, women can do work for real money and they can still take an active role in their children's lives.

You are absolutely right. And those many families that choose to have the either or both partners in marriage work rather than stay at home hire day care, gardeners, laundry assisantts, cooks etc on their own dime. OK, only the rich ones do all that. Too bad this couple is impoverished and Sophie cannot realize her dreams.

She does not have 10 staff, she has 1 staff member.

Did the 24/7 nannies get fired? OMG.

Smallc · May 13, 2016

You are absolutely right. And those many families that choose to have the either or both partners in marriage work rather than stay at home hire day care, gardeners, laundry assisantts, cooks etc on their own dime. OK, only the rich ones do all that. Too bad this couple is impoverished and Sophie cannot realize her dreams.

Did the 24/7 nannies get fired? OMG.

They're not 24/7 nannies - and they're part of the house staff.

scribblet · May 13, 2016

What's has she done that's inappropriate?

Well, singing off key at an MLK function was pretty bizarre, it would've been bizarre even if she sang on key... then there's that really bizarre fake infomercial she did .. now that would curdle the stomach of anyone.

I guess after returning from the dinner with the Obamas, she feels she's entitled to the same privileges a U.S. first lady..

bush_cheney2004 · May 13, 2016

Well, singing off key at an MLK function was pretty bizarre,....

I guess after returning from the dinner with the Obamas, she feels she's entitled to the same privileges a U.S. first lady..

Wasn't MLK runner up for "Greatest Canadian" ? Did her magazine remarks happen before or after the U.S. state visit ? If Mrs. Harper had whined like this she would have been burned at the the stake for wanting "Murican style" First-Lady staff and budget.

Smallc · May 13, 2016

Well, singing off key at an MLK function was pretty bizarre, it would've been bizarre even if she sang on key... then there's that really bizarre fake infomercial she did .. now that would curdle the stomach of anyone.

You have a very weak stomach.

I guess after returning from the dinner with the Obamas, she feels she's entitled to the same privileges a U.S. first lady..

Serious question - why not?

scribblet · May 13, 2016

Wasn't MLK runner up for "Greatest Canadian" ? Did her magazine remarks happen before or after the U.S. state visit ? If Mrs. Harper had whined like this she would have been burned at the the stake for wanting "Murican style" First-Lady staff and budget.

Cripes.. and then some... they hounded conservative MPs over glasses of O.J. but it's okay to finance our Trudeau-Kardashians. The Harper's did not have even one nanny, they paid for baby sitters when needed, and even paid for their own groceries. Mrs. Harper did do a lot of charity work but didn't advertise it...

I'm pretty sure her complaint came after the White House visit.

scribblet · May 13, 2016

You have a very weak stomach.

Serious question - why not?

Canada doesn't need that position, it's not necessary for us to have an institutionalized position as in the U.S. We have the GG's wife for that anyway, IMO this is just Ms. Trudeau being a diva and promoting herself, she seems to be somewhat Kardashian like...

bush_cheney2004 · May 13, 2016

.....I'm pretty sure her complaint came after the White House visit.

Maybe she will reconsider her sad misfortune after visiting some charred houses at Fort Mac.

scribblet · May 13, 2016

Maybe she will reconsider her sad misfortune after visiting some charred houses at Fort Mac.

Indeed.. in fact I hear that Trudeau has announced the Liberal Government will match all donations to the Sophie Disaster.

?Impact · May 13, 2016

Cripes.. and then some...

The Harper's did not have even one nanny,...

As I understand the situation, the total number of household staff has not changed since the Harper's. Yes, the Trudeau children are younger so the duties may be different. We have a 'nanny' dressing the children instead of a 'butler' dressing the old man.

scribblet · May 13, 2016

As I understand the situation, the total number of household staff has not changed since the Harper's. Yes, the Trudeau children are younger so the duties may be different. We have a 'nanny' dressing the children instead of a 'butler' dressing the old man.

If you believe that I can sell you some swampland...

waldo · May 13, 2016

What I'm saying is.....he doesn't sound dignified as a world leader should.

heyzoo christie! This... coming from you... the biggest MLW hypester for Donald Trump! :lol:

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waldo · May 13, 2016

Mrs. Harper did do a lot of charity work but didn't advertise it...

yes! As First Cat Lady, Laureen Harper was highly active with the Ottawa Humane Society... but there was huuuuge publicity over that involvement. Why she even carried that right into 24 Sussex, fostering so many cats they ended up dedicating a room for them. It is a shame though that one of their former chefs took issue with having to bury dead cats (part of a legal case, no less)... something about not being paid for all work performed... wait, he also claimed he acted as a nanny for the kids! Didn't you say they had no nannies? :lol:

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waldo · May 13, 2016

Canada doesn't need that position, it's not necessary for us to have an institutionalized position as in the U.S. We have the GG's wife for that anyway, IMO this is just Ms. Trudeau being a diva and promoting herself, she seems to be somewhat Kardashian like...

thisTakesTheCake! Who ever heard/saw of the spouse of any Governor General doing anything independent of the GG... anything ever than appearing at his/her side? And pleeeese, stop the U.S. references - there's a MLW member here who takes extreme exception to doing that!

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waldo · May 13, 2016

Indeed.. in fact I hear that Trudeau has announced the Liberal Government will match all donations to the Sophie Disaster.

so bitter, so sad! To need to resort to leveraging the current wildfire disaster and the CANADIAN government matching donations to the Red Cross. Why I do believe your post just might be the thread winner!

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