Kevin Falcon cribs from JFK’s playbook

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      You know that old saw about imitation being the most sincere form of flattery? How about the one that says politics makes for strange bedfellows?

      Combine the two and you get B.C. Liberal Party leadership candidate Kevin Falcon’s campaign slogan, “A New Generation of Leadership.”

      It’s a great tagline: take-charge, bold, and forward-thinking.

      It also belongs to former U.S. president John F. Kennedy, who first used it in his 1960 Democratic Convention acceptance speech.

      Recently, the line was revived by JFK’s brother, Ted, in a touching familial reference during his 2008 endorsement of Barack Obama.

      In borrowing the quote, Falcon grasps for the Kennedy glamour while sidestepping the family’s progressive agenda. After all, Falcon, a former Young Socred, has previous ties to the Reform Party and is considered by some to be the most right-wing candidate in the B.C. Liberal leadership race.

      It also brings to mind another attempt by a right-wing politician to drape himself in the Kennedy mantle: Former U.S. vice-president Dan Quayle’s comparison of himself to JFK during the 1988 campaign debates.

      A comparison, it should be noted, that was met with a stern rebuke from Democratic vice-presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen: “You’re no Jack Kennedy”¦and frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken.”

      Just a little something to keep in mind, Mr. Falcon.

      Comments

      27 Comments

      LTD.Edition

      Dec 28, 2010 at 1:33pm

      Look at him there, all relaxed with his tie off and top button undone, sleeves rolled up to do the job. It's almost like he's your regular Joe....

      except, you know, he still has the button up shirt, the pricey suit pants, the odd perfection of his rolled sleeves...

      Actually, now that I think of it, he looks just like any other business grease-ball one could throw into that frame.

      I'm sorry, but far too many politicians don't represent average citizens. They're business owners, high income earners and out of touch with the daily struggles of getting by with an average income (what is it now? 32k - 36k/year?)

      I'm sorry, but is it too much to ask that we vote in a regular person who has to deal with the same issues we face daily?

      Of course, with the salary they'd get after becoming elected it would be easy for them to forget what it's like. In the end, I'd like politician salaries to be tied to the average household income of their riding. If that happens I guarantee they will find ways of increasing the quality of life and income for the average citizen.

      Chet

      Dec 28, 2010 at 2:28pm

      the depths of desperation

      ds

      Dec 28, 2010 at 4:04pm

      Sorry, you wouldn't even be good enough to shine JFK shoes!! He was an officer in the USN, a man for the people not for big business. You dion't come close.

      john brooks

      Dec 28, 2010 at 9:54pm

      maybe you guys should worry more about raising your own incomes so that you can afford a nicer pair of pants, shoes or shirt. Or, better yet, why don't you run for Premier so that I may tear you apart just like you do Kevin. Easy to throw rocks isn't it?

      RonS

      Dec 28, 2010 at 10:30pm

      Falcon and JFK in the same sentence? He couldn't carry JFK's bathwater. JFK was assisinated because he wanted open transparnet government. This so called "man" wants anything but.

      But just what is it he really wants? He wants to keep his new found friends, the Pharmacudical companies and the US Hospital Insurance companies, close by so when he sells out our Medical Services Plan he wont have so far to walk to ask for a directorship once he leaves politics!.

      Christopher Massop

      Dec 28, 2010 at 10:33pm

      You can put lip stick all over a jack-ass ,but who the heck is gonna kiss it . Like the old saying goes ...You can polish a turd but it still taste's like ...S***.

      kevin why don't you just...

      Dec 28, 2010 at 10:50pm

      go suck an egg.

      james green

      Dec 28, 2010 at 11:44pm

      Instead these immature commnents why not ask Mr. Falcon what his plan is for BC and why he is best suited to be our premier.
      What is his record on health care, transportation and what has he done for his constituents? We need to know specifics from all candidates and calling names or telling thingto go suck an egg does not help you or anyone else.
      I know non liberals will not vote now but this guy needs to answer questions now for he could be the next elected leader of this great province someday.

      james green

      Dec 28, 2010 at 11:47pm

      Besides JFK said a new generation of AMERICANS not a new generation of leadership. Get it right skippy.
      Falcon may be a goof but misquoting JFK is just silly.

      Neil Edmondson

      Dec 29, 2010 at 9:20am

      I'm an ardent Abbott supporter but this seems a bit 'off'. You should be sourcing the quote in question, it is 50 years old and many of us weren't even born yet. I don't take the unsourced word of a left wing journalist at a left wing publication for granted so I looked it up. Kennedy used the line in one famous speech on one occasion, yes, but it is such a generic line it is doubtful that he was the first to use it. A google search confirms that plenty of politicians and business leaders have since used it, meaning your article is a tad misleading. Why not criticize Falcon for breathing air, as Kennedy did? It would be only marginally less envious.

      Oh, and to pararphrase, er, you, the term 'progressive' grasps for the glamour of righteousness while sidestepping the freight train full of fail that is leftist public policy, which inevitably results in financially and morally bankrupt societies everywhere that it is implemented. Please don't use that weasel word in any political context ever again.