Mark Carney, as massive an upgrade as he may be over an irritating mannequin, is very much in the honeymoon period with the country and the media. If there is credit due for meeting basic minimum standards, then sure, he gets it. But let us reserve further judgment on his performance till the end of the year.
Agree with all of this, particularly the comments about Carney's "aura" or vibe or whatever you want to call it. The rest of the Country seems to agree given the recent polling on his popularity especially vis-a-vis PP.
It also occurs to me that in some ways he has been one of the luckiest politicians I have ever seen (albeit, this requires us to ignore all, waves hand, this). I mean, he got to run against Trump and his job performance is being compared to Junior's - man, talk about living right! I don't say that to denigrate him - he has done well with the cards he has been handed and it is easy to see others wildly misplaying that advantage (cough, Freeland, cough). But it is striking how lucky he has been in those two respects.
Indeed. The gods of shining, glowing luck smiled on him. I am sure Carney was closely following events for months. I think that had the Democratic party won, he would not have run for the Liberal leadership. He would have bided his time .
Carney has likely had his eyes on the big chair for a long time. He deftly figured out what was the right time to make the move, and it worked. Luck is really not some mystical force, people who seem lucky had something to do with it based on their preparation and the ability to know when the opportunity is there. The commenters currently crapping on Carney are really just venting JT anger or hyper partisan. He hasn't done anything to warrant that frustration (its too early) and much of his vision and policy are things PP was going to do. So, the guy is also a smarter politician than we thought. Now PP has to go farther right to differentiate himself which is going to drive his poll numbers way down over the next few months.
Early days for Carney. Disappointed parliament is not working through the Summer after all the time off this year. Carney has yet to prove himself. We will soon be entering the Summer Doldrums, Canadians will be even sleepier and uncaring of their politic masters. Can’t wait for Pierre Poilievre to win his seat and take his place in parliament in the Fall. Then we’ll see.
As regards PM Carney, I don't trust his globalist credentials, and we really need to see some results on the ground after all the pronouncements and talk, but no doubt the early returns are promising.
Some absolutely fantastic writing again Ms. Gerson. We can debate policies, but I am quickly coming around to the idea that we may now have the most competent and respected leader in the G7. This means we have gone from undoubtedly worst to potentially first - which is crazy. People may denigrate the importance of personality and personal relationships in leadership, and these would be people who have never effectively managed or led. Everything is downstream of your ability to connect with, and earn the respect of your peers/colleagues/employees . You don't win people over by being an asshole, or embarrassing them. And you certainly don't win negotiations that way either. Mr. Carney seems to understand this and is showing the ability to be both liked and respected by his peers across the political spectrum. The early returns here are good on a number of fronts - good for him and good for Canada
One other note. I'm claiming Carney as an Albertan. His words not mine! He grew up here, we made him. You're welcome ROC - add it to the list.
Aside from the weird tribalism (AB has always struggled with "we're so very different"), I agree with the above.
"Everything is downstream of your ability to connect with, and earn the respect of your peers/colleagues/employees . You don't win people over by being an asshole, or embarrassing them. And you certainly don't win negotiations that way either."
Yup. My opinion of the insurance execs across the negotiating table is not relevant; my responsibility is to the outcomes expected, what I'm trusted to accomplish on behalf of...
Successful negotiation begins with mutual respect, trust, and yes safety. This is exactly why the unscheduled social time is so important.
On a related note, and I've seen it first hand in the early oughts, Trump has 0 relationship skills; his desperate need for approval feels like a succubus miasma filling the room. His only tool is to understand the world as a transaction that he either wins or loses. (He never loses, in the awkward construct he thinks of as the world.) If someone, anyone is getting more warm attention, he will either start throwing toys (think social media posts), or leave for a crowd of sycophants to restore his feelings. Or it could have been Iran... or both.
Can you imagine the conditioning a central banker gets, making a decision he believes is right for the economy (everyone?), that also disadvantages the party in power (higher rates)? How many meetings with powerful, famous people, has he steered? How many teams, not of his choosing, has he had to finesse?
We elect folks who've never led a diverse team to solve a complex problem, at the same time selling the vision of a better future, and then we're surprised they fail and/or embarrass us.
Thanks for the response! The end of my comment was meant as a bit of a joke…
As to Trump. I’m not so sure on the “zero relationship skills” part. Bill Maher had a really interesting perspective on Trump from a dinner he had with him. (I wish I had the link). Essentially it was summarized by this though. “A crazy person doesn’t live in the White House. Just one that plays one on TV.”
I think he’s got some critical flaws in how he approaches ideas, leadership and negotiation. But almost everyone seems to like the guy in person. I tend to look at how he handles Putin for example in the same light as how we’re praising Carney for handling Trump. He knows it’s better to have a relationship than none in order to try and get results. Your mileage may vary on that, but that’s how I see it.
I don’t want this to be misconstrued as a defense of Trump. Some major things he’s doing and done are full on idiotic. Like the trade war he started with literally everyone all at once for example, and how he approached Canada as another. I mean he’s making us (Canada) stronger though so the jury’s out on that one I guess?
We are all waiting for a trade deal between Canada and the United State that Trump supports but we had one in 2017. How can anyone negotiate with someone who changes his mind as often as Trump does?
The answer is we don’t expect too much, and don’t give up anything we can’t take back if Trump doesn’t uphold his end. Certainly we can’t trust him, but if we can get something worth getting out of a deal, we should take it. Eyes wide open that it may blow up tomorrow, of course, but that’s not unusual.
Historically, we have done trade deals on the assumption that they’re very durable once signed. We can’t do that anymore. That doesn’t mean we have to throw up our hands and give up. Countries, people, businesses, all do deals all the time where they don’t trust the other side much. The deals are different, the things you do to protect yourself are different, but deals still get done on that basis.
"How can anyone negotiate with someone who changes his mind as often as Trump does?"
You wait, be pleasant, listen, confirm and validate every change, wait, be pleasant, confirm and validate every change... (you grab and lock down each piece you want when you see them)... and you wait, be pleasant, validate every change.
Trump is a frustrated monarch of a past millennia, with corresponding moral and intellectual development, who proclaims, makes decisions, then undecides like he's got undiagnosed ADHD, with a soupçon of NPD.
"to reach some kind trade deal within 30 days." - ragging the puck does nothing to help people that are losing their jobs and families losing their homes because literally "everyone" is sitting on their wallets until this is sorted out. Not one dollar of CAP ex will be spent until we know what we are dealing with. Sooner the better for everyone!!
It's funny people can see the same things but have a difference of opinion how they saw it. I find him dismissive and arrogant. And all talk so far, has done nothing. Though compared to Trudeau he is a breath of fresh air.
I sincerely hope your assessment of the new PM bears fruit. By "fruit" I mean an increase in national wealth, a more united country, bail reform and more thoughtful control of our borders and immigration system. In the meantime words and style will have to do.
I'm not particularly worried about a 30 day deadline to negotiate an agreement with Trump. It'll be extended ad nauseum so long as Trump thinks he's working towards a deal. One of Trump's ticks is that whenever somebody asks when he's going to deliver on something he's promised, he'll say it'll be ready in 2 weeks. That includes things like his Obamacare replacement plan that he'd promised for 2017.
Thanks for this excellent analysis. You are a superb writer. I enjoy your style. Sad trombone sounds’ and ‘ragging the puck’ have been duly filed for future reference.
Mark Carney, as massive an upgrade as he may be over an irritating mannequin, is very much in the honeymoon period with the country and the media. If there is credit due for meeting basic minimum standards, then sure, he gets it. But let us reserve further judgment on his performance till the end of the year.
Agree with all of this, particularly the comments about Carney's "aura" or vibe or whatever you want to call it. The rest of the Country seems to agree given the recent polling on his popularity especially vis-a-vis PP.
It also occurs to me that in some ways he has been one of the luckiest politicians I have ever seen (albeit, this requires us to ignore all, waves hand, this). I mean, he got to run against Trump and his job performance is being compared to Junior's - man, talk about living right! I don't say that to denigrate him - he has done well with the cards he has been handed and it is easy to see others wildly misplaying that advantage (cough, Freeland, cough). But it is striking how lucky he has been in those two respects.
I agree with the luck, and also great strategy is spotting the timing. Timing is something (everything?)
Indeed. The gods of shining, glowing luck smiled on him. I am sure Carney was closely following events for months. I think that had the Democratic party won, he would not have run for the Liberal leadership. He would have bided his time .
Carney has likely had his eyes on the big chair for a long time. He deftly figured out what was the right time to make the move, and it worked. Luck is really not some mystical force, people who seem lucky had something to do with it based on their preparation and the ability to know when the opportunity is there. The commenters currently crapping on Carney are really just venting JT anger or hyper partisan. He hasn't done anything to warrant that frustration (its too early) and much of his vision and policy are things PP was going to do. So, the guy is also a smarter politician than we thought. Now PP has to go farther right to differentiate himself which is going to drive his poll numbers way down over the next few months.
Jen, just say it out loud, Carneys’ predecessor was a bad excuse for a human being, let alone PM. And yes I moderated myself.
Have I...not said that out loud? I think I've said that out loud. JG
Early days for Carney. Disappointed parliament is not working through the Summer after all the time off this year. Carney has yet to prove himself. We will soon be entering the Summer Doldrums, Canadians will be even sleepier and uncaring of their politic masters. Can’t wait for Pierre Poilievre to win his seat and take his place in parliament in the Fall. Then we’ll see.
As regards PM Carney, I don't trust his globalist credentials, and we really need to see some results on the ground after all the pronouncements and talk, but no doubt the early returns are promising.
Some absolutely fantastic writing again Ms. Gerson. We can debate policies, but I am quickly coming around to the idea that we may now have the most competent and respected leader in the G7. This means we have gone from undoubtedly worst to potentially first - which is crazy. People may denigrate the importance of personality and personal relationships in leadership, and these would be people who have never effectively managed or led. Everything is downstream of your ability to connect with, and earn the respect of your peers/colleagues/employees . You don't win people over by being an asshole, or embarrassing them. And you certainly don't win negotiations that way either. Mr. Carney seems to understand this and is showing the ability to be both liked and respected by his peers across the political spectrum. The early returns here are good on a number of fronts - good for him and good for Canada
One other note. I'm claiming Carney as an Albertan. His words not mine! He grew up here, we made him. You're welcome ROC - add it to the list.
Aside from the weird tribalism (AB has always struggled with "we're so very different"), I agree with the above.
"Everything is downstream of your ability to connect with, and earn the respect of your peers/colleagues/employees . You don't win people over by being an asshole, or embarrassing them. And you certainly don't win negotiations that way either."
Yup. My opinion of the insurance execs across the negotiating table is not relevant; my responsibility is to the outcomes expected, what I'm trusted to accomplish on behalf of...
Successful negotiation begins with mutual respect, trust, and yes safety. This is exactly why the unscheduled social time is so important.
On a related note, and I've seen it first hand in the early oughts, Trump has 0 relationship skills; his desperate need for approval feels like a succubus miasma filling the room. His only tool is to understand the world as a transaction that he either wins or loses. (He never loses, in the awkward construct he thinks of as the world.) If someone, anyone is getting more warm attention, he will either start throwing toys (think social media posts), or leave for a crowd of sycophants to restore his feelings. Or it could have been Iran... or both.
Can you imagine the conditioning a central banker gets, making a decision he believes is right for the economy (everyone?), that also disadvantages the party in power (higher rates)? How many meetings with powerful, famous people, has he steered? How many teams, not of his choosing, has he had to finesse?
We elect folks who've never led a diverse team to solve a complex problem, at the same time selling the vision of a better future, and then we're surprised they fail and/or embarrass us.
Thanks for the response! The end of my comment was meant as a bit of a joke…
As to Trump. I’m not so sure on the “zero relationship skills” part. Bill Maher had a really interesting perspective on Trump from a dinner he had with him. (I wish I had the link). Essentially it was summarized by this though. “A crazy person doesn’t live in the White House. Just one that plays one on TV.”
I think he’s got some critical flaws in how he approaches ideas, leadership and negotiation. But almost everyone seems to like the guy in person. I tend to look at how he handles Putin for example in the same light as how we’re praising Carney for handling Trump. He knows it’s better to have a relationship than none in order to try and get results. Your mileage may vary on that, but that’s how I see it.
I don’t want this to be misconstrued as a defense of Trump. Some major things he’s doing and done are full on idiotic. Like the trade war he started with literally everyone all at once for example, and how he approached Canada as another. I mean he’s making us (Canada) stronger though so the jury’s out on that one I guess?
We are all waiting for a trade deal between Canada and the United State that Trump supports but we had one in 2017. How can anyone negotiate with someone who changes his mind as often as Trump does?
The answer is we don’t expect too much, and don’t give up anything we can’t take back if Trump doesn’t uphold his end. Certainly we can’t trust him, but if we can get something worth getting out of a deal, we should take it. Eyes wide open that it may blow up tomorrow, of course, but that’s not unusual.
Historically, we have done trade deals on the assumption that they’re very durable once signed. We can’t do that anymore. That doesn’t mean we have to throw up our hands and give up. Countries, people, businesses, all do deals all the time where they don’t trust the other side much. The deals are different, the things you do to protect yourself are different, but deals still get done on that basis.
"How can anyone negotiate with someone who changes his mind as often as Trump does?"
You wait, be pleasant, listen, confirm and validate every change, wait, be pleasant, confirm and validate every change... (you grab and lock down each piece you want when you see them)... and you wait, be pleasant, validate every change.
Trump is a frustrated monarch of a past millennia, with corresponding moral and intellectual development, who proclaims, makes decisions, then undecides like he's got undiagnosed ADHD, with a soupçon of NPD.
Squirrel!
Wow! Not only did you say “WASP,” you welcomed it. I
feel validated again. :-)
"to reach some kind trade deal within 30 days." - ragging the puck does nothing to help people that are losing their jobs and families losing their homes because literally "everyone" is sitting on their wallets until this is sorted out. Not one dollar of CAP ex will be spent until we know what we are dealing with. Sooner the better for everyone!!
It's funny people can see the same things but have a difference of opinion how they saw it. I find him dismissive and arrogant. And all talk so far, has done nothing. Though compared to Trudeau he is a breath of fresh air.
I sincerely hope your assessment of the new PM bears fruit. By "fruit" I mean an increase in national wealth, a more united country, bail reform and more thoughtful control of our borders and immigration system. In the meantime words and style will have to do.
I'm not particularly worried about a 30 day deadline to negotiate an agreement with Trump. It'll be extended ad nauseum so long as Trump thinks he's working towards a deal. One of Trump's ticks is that whenever somebody asks when he's going to deliver on something he's promised, he'll say it'll be ready in 2 weeks. That includes things like his Obamacare replacement plan that he'd promised for 2017.
Thanks for this excellent analysis. You are a superb writer. I enjoy your style. Sad trombone sounds’ and ‘ragging the puck’ have been duly filed for future reference.
Like his party or not, Carney is something we haven't had in decades.
It is comforting having an adult represent us.
I didn’t vote Liberal last election (or ever) but I’m cautiously optimistic. So far, I’m impressed. It feels weird having an adult as prime minister!