Bob Rae: up close and personal

This is actually a fascinating video -- Bob Rae, talking about his own battle with depression and how he feels about life in Ottawa right now. He doesn't connect the two -- in fact, he says he's fine, but there are similarities in the way he describes the condition of a depressed person and a depressed community. In a way, he's putting words to a vague sense that I've heard expressed in other quarters in Ottawa too -- from all political stripes.  It's a feeling that something is missing -- some say it's purpose, some say it's joy. 

Some folks have noticed that Bob Rae has been very quiet the past few months (certainly I have).  It's fed the usual (and tiresome) mischief that he's plotting a mutiny against Ignatieff. Personally, I don't think Rae is that stupid -- he's been around long enough to know that an internal revolt would be a death blow to the Liberal party. This video is worth watching if you want to know Rae a little better, and get a glimpse of how an intelligent, reflective fellow looks at the current state of politics and his place in it. Coincidentally, it comes just as Rae marks the 20th anniversary today of his swearing-in as Ontario's first NDP premier. 

And I wholeheartedly endorse his thoughts on people reading their questions in the Commons. It makes them all look like hostages. 

Comments

[Brian A]

Rae truly is a brilliant man, very well-spoken and, whether or not he ever leads the Liberal Party or becomes a minister in a Liberal Government, he's a great benefit to the caucus. Once he does retire, I don't think it'd be unheard of to see him as an Ambassador or even the Governor General.

[anonlinereader]

Originally the senate used senior statesmen like Rae & Lougheed to give younger Politicians some gentle guidence , expierience and second thought .

With the coming of party leader " rock stars " the benifit of great men like Bob Rae is lost to society .

[Manchild]

I really think that Bob Rae would have made a great Prime Minister. He may have made a few mistakes as Premier of Ontario but they were no where near as bad as his attackers make them out to be. That is mostly political hyperbole. What really matters in a leader is wisdom. Bob clearly has that.

[Zoe]

This a really good video. Rae is interesting, real and smart. Wish there were more politicians like him.

[Ontario Voter]

Thank you, Susan, for posting this. Bob Rae comes across to me as someone very personable and who is in politics because he wants to do some good (regardless of whether one agrees with his values or not). In my books, he is one of the very, very small handful of political leaders who would have made a good PM for the majority of Canadians who, according to polls, are actually non-right wing leaning.

Listening to him comfortably describing his fight with depression, I cannot help but contrast what Susan Riley had written in her article in the Ottawa Citizen today. Riley describes how Harper had been angry with Tom Flanagan for writing a book about him but apparently had no problems with the latter writing a book about Manning (Harper it seems was in fact feeding Flanagan news about Manning). I think Harper does sing better than Bob though.

[Patricia Morfee]

I have always admired Bob Rae for his ability to clearly explain his view on things.
He has a great sense of humour about himself and those situations around him and others. I am in Ontario and he has been unfairly labeled as bringing this province down. When he was Premier even though the economy was bad and he was being villified, he was not afraid to walk down the street and encounter anyone who might disagree with his government. Then we had Mike Harris who ran and hid from everyone when times were tough. I have always thought he would make a great Prime Minister with the popularity of Jean Chretien. We need more thoughtful politicians like Bob Rae.

[Susan]

I believe there's lots of joy to be found in Ottawa and even in Canadian politics. Like Bob (whom I admire greatly) I too came from a privileged background - I believe it's up to us lucky ones to explore the future and try to step outside of the boxes we live in. On a political level - we need to go beyond the current paradigms and build something better for the future. On a personal level, joy can be found in breaking out of societies roles and exploring new kinds of families and new ways of living together. I highly recommend this tonic - take on a cause you REALLY believe in even tho' unpopular and run with it. I've been amazed and grateful to be so welcomed everywhere I go in this city despite my unconventional ways.

[johnnyk]

I've always liked Bob Rae. He never appeared self-serving to me but rather someone sincerely trying to make things better. With his smarts and his education he could have devoted himself to getting rich but didn't, to his credit.
I also think he got/gets a bad rap from his time as Premier. He was handed a real bag of crap including the nasty recession brought on by free trade that hit Ontario and its manufacturing base hardest. He did what he sincerely thought best and is still vilified for it. He's a person of substance, we need more like him.

[Rod Croskery]

Good posting, informative and humane.