Leadership politics is a high elbows game, reflected a friend and supporter; wistfully, I might add, perhaps in recognition of the rough and tumble nature of an exercise where every observer is an expert in every contestant's abilities and suitabilities.
But it is from a collective's perspective an absolutely necessary aspect of a political process that generates ideas, explores approaches to new solutions for old and emerging problems, and defines the next stage of Canada's developing identity.
Our history is young, fresh. We are "new" on the world stage. For me, Canada is in a state of evolution. Its future and potential is more open and promising than that of virtually any other country. We tend to forget that some of the first generation of post Confederation political leaders expressed similar ambitious thoughts for our country. Wilfrid Laurier, one hundred years ago, for example aimed to create, on the northern half of the western hemisphere, a modern competitive nation of 100 million to rival the emerging industrial giant of the day - the United States of America.
For my part, a high standard of living and even higher quality of life for all Canadians can only be achieved through two basic avenues: investment in infrastructure to capitalize on our potential, and a population to provide the critical mass for productivity and competitiveness on a world scale. Along the way, we construct those values which set our experiences and our society apart from the rest of the world.
Paul Martin, before he became Prime Minister, reminded me that politics and government are bogged down in the details of management and balancing conflicting - often short sighted - interests. That would be the petty bickering on which popular press and media thrive. A leader's task, on the other hand, is to look twenty five years down the road, picture the face of the country and the dynamics that contribute its vibrancy and build for it!
That has been my approach to politics and the governing process - inclusive, embracing and prepared to take risk for our collective interests. One editorialist wag once asked if my view of Canada meant "build it and they will come." Perhaps, but hope is built on a better certainty and resolve: "if you don't build it, they won't come!"