Worst Liberal Party Results Ever (popular vote)

5. Lester B. Pearson (1962) 36.97%
4. Paul Martin (2004) 36.7%
3. Lester B. Pearson (1958) 33.40%
2. John Turner (1988) 31.92%
1. John Turner (1984) 28.02%

On that topic, I’ve just finished off “The Big Red Machine“, and I must say it’s well worth the read. I thought I’d include a few of Clarkson’s thoughts on the 1984 campaign:

p.119 “Turner’s accepting his advice indicated how his hubris had taken him to an overriding belief in the power of his own public persona. After all, he was devoting himself, a main of superior talents, to the mission of government. Deeds were not needed. His words alone should be enough to convince the public that he was bringing a new face to government. The very fact of his ascendancy would surely reverse years of discontent. He held Brian Mulroney in low regard, deeming him as lightweigh in politics as he had been in business.”

p.120 “the lethargy that characterized the first three weeks of the Liberal campaign was due mainly to the prime minister’s flat refusal to campaign in July. In waiting for Brian Mulroney to self-destruct, Turner lost control of the political agenda and let the media concentrate on the mistakes, small and large, with which he proceeded to oblige them.”

p.121 “A leader-centered campaign requires that the leader have something to say.”

p.128 “Having been described for years in flattering terms by reporters who built up his myth as dauphin-in-exile, he was unnerved by their switch to a more critical stance once he re-entered the political ring.”