Meet the New LPC President

The media blitz blanketing the Liberal Leadership convention made little to no mention of the newly elected Liberal Party of Canada President. Welcome Senator Marie Poulin.

Marie Poulin brings to the table a traditional Liberal resume. Poulin was a vice-president at the CBC, a former deputy minister in the government and placed in her senate seat by Jean Chretien.

As the new LPC President, she faces traditional Liberal responsibilities as well:

1. Beg for membership monies
2. Repeat as required

She comes prepared for this battle however. In a recent interview she talked about her financial considerations for the party. Poulin was quoted as saying “We also have to be creative in the way we raise funds”. Now I’m not a Liberal, but isn’t that the equivalent in Liberal terms to uttering He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (Voldemort)? I was under the impression that the words “creative” and “raise funds” were scheduled to be surgically removed from Liberal vocabulary after AdScam.

Poulin offers ideas of her “creativity” in the interview as well. She accepted donations in her run for LPC President and offered a limited print (artwork from her husband) of Liberal PM’s over the Canadian flag in return for a donation of $1,000.00 or more. Congratulations, Belinda, I’m sure it will look great in your office.

Poulin understands the relationship between dollars and members. More members equal more dollars. She hinted at a “loyalty points program” that would see points awarded to existing members for dragging in the warm Liberal bodies off the cart. Limited prints? Air Miles? The last sign of desperation is a 3AM infomercial showcasing the latest in Liberal workout machines.

If Dion’s job is defined as getting X’s on the ballots, then Poulin’s job would be defined as getting zeros added to the bank account. Both are faced with a large challenge in this respect. It will be absolutely interesting to see what other “creative” ideas are implemented.

Just one word of advice, don’t ship the limited edition prints in large paper envelopes, it may ring of past creativities.