On Michael Harris Live to talk about Frank McKenna

I was on Michael Harris Live on 580 CFRA in Ottawa this afternoon to discuss Frank McKenna, and what it tells us about Canadian politics that he isn’t interested in leading a political party.

 

The McKenna legacy

A number of readers of my review of Harvey Sawler’s book about Frank McKenna, published in The Globe,  have once again raised the issue that they don’t understand what McKenna accomplished in New Brunswick during his tenure there. I was on the Editorial Board at The Globe when McKenna retired as premier, and wrote this editorial which, I believe, constitutes a fair and balanced overview of his accomplishments and weaknesses as premier.

The best PM we’ll never have

Here is the full text of my review of Frank McKenna: Beyond Politics, which appeared in the Globe and Mail on February 11. Contrary to his critics, I believe that McKenna was a pivotal figure in New Brunswick’s political history, and also that he showed, in his brief time in that office, that he would have been one of the most influential ambassadors ever for Canada in Washington DC. And by the way, my proposed head for this review had nothing to do with the best PM we’ll never have. My suggestion was “Leave this Man Alone”.