Just Watch Him.

The Shallowness of the Justin Trudeau Media Coverage

OpinionsHilary Sinclair — Published October 9, 2012

We need to stop treating Justin Trudeau like a spoiled child—and he should probably stop acting like one.

During the build-up to the Oct. 2 announcement that officially launched his bid for leader of the Liberal Party, the media questioned his maturity, how much he is like his dad and exhaustively informed the public that, yes, he does like boxing—remember that one time he boxed with a senator?

It has also not escaped the media’s attention that he is, in fact, rather handsome. Genius.

As Trudeaumania 2.0 progresses, it has become clear that he is not taken seriously, and he might be giving us little reason to put any confidence in him.

In his candidacy announcement speech he astutely pointed out that, “It is time for all of us to come together and get down to the very serious, very adult business of building a better country.”

To The Globe and Mail he said: “There are people out there who hate me automatically–they dislike me intensely automatically. There are people out there who like me automatically. I have to know how to discount both of them […] and just be centred around myself.”

What in the name of Thor’s hammer are you doing, Trudeau?

The political intelligence that is supporting this bid for leadership of the oldest federal party of our beautiful nation is bat-shit crazy. He’s got brains to burn, but instead chooses to—or must—waste his most quotable moments defending his maturity and ability to be his own man.

His statements have been dripping with sweepingly idealistic statements on his principles and dancing lefty visions for Canada—but his lack of specific policy gives nothing for the media to latch onto and write punchy headlines about.

He has no substance and lacks legitimacy, say media heavyweights.

But the same people found it uninteresting to focus on the aggressive insecurity and robotic smile of our current prime minister—he was rarely forced to defend anything but the things he believes in… except the one time he shook his own son’s hand.

Trudeau, on the other hand, has not really had that luxury of giving lip service to any concrete policies.

As Trudeaumania 2.0 progresses, it has become clear that he is not taken seriously, and he might be giving us little reason to put any confidence in him.

With headlines like, “Trudeau grapples with his ‘authenticity,’” “Trudeau’s life experience limited,” and “Is Justin Trudeau the Avril Lavigne of Canadian politics?” how could anyone trust him to inhabit 24 Sussex Drive?

The way Trudeau has been pushed into a corner and forced to defend himself, not as a politician but as a person, could very well end his bid for PM before it begins.

You should care because of the following statement: “Some say that youth carry our future,” said Trudeau. “I say youth are an essential resource for our present. We need to empower all young Canadians, through world-class education, through rich and relevant work experience, and through opportunity to serve their communities and their world. Their voices, their choices, matter deeply, as do their actions: they are already leaders today.”

Trudeau cares about us, he really cares. He’s currently the Liberal Party’s critic for youth, post-secondary education, amateur sport and served as the chair for the Katimavik program for four years.

The youth are his schtick and he will empower our generation—a generation that is caught in a tailspin of underrepresentation, unemployment and under-appreciation.

Yes, Pierre cast a giant National Energy Policy-shaped shadow upon his son. But that is as irrelevant as how your father’s occupation affects what you do. These days, it tends not to. That’s why the font spelling “Justin” on his campaign signs is about three times that of the one that spells “Trudeau,” and why his campaign is kicking off in Alberta.

If given the chance, Trudeau has the charisma, backing and ideals that will morph Canada’s Goldilocks party into something that can remove the bronze medal from the neck of the Liberals.

“Think about it for a moment: when was the last time you had a leader you actually trusted?” asked Trudeau.

“And not just the nebulous ‘trust to govern competently,’ but actually trusted, the way you trust a friend to pick up your kids from school, or a neighbour to keep your extra front door key? Real trust? That’s a respect that has to be earned, step by step.”

Unfortunately, it looks like every step he takes will be hindered by trivial ponderings, tabloid-style.