I must confess, I've always had a soft spot for Christy Clark. She reminds me a bit like Demi Moore in that movie, G.I. Jane.
Of course, G.I. Jane's story and hers diverge somewhat.
But I still like to think the theme is vaguely the same: novice military recruit blindly taking orders discovers she's the only one not in on the big plan - the plan that has her basically as a fall guy. When she discovers she's set up - she, of course, turns the whole situation on its head and triumphs.
Now, Clark's road to redemption and victory has more detours. She relies on old political female friends to advise her when she considers running for the mayor's chair in Vancouver. She tackles that race with gusto and doesn't whine about losing. Out of politics, she turns her gift for gab into a stint as a radio talk show host.
And then she returns to the military base, B.C. politics, and takes on the entire old Liberal boys' club to become the leader of the Liberal party - with only Harry Bloy supporting her. Which, in my opinion, was worse than having no support at all. She tried to reward Bloy and then discovered he was a liability - a couple of times. And still, as late as three weeks ago in Burnaby, she praised Bloy. Somewhat of a stretch - but she managed to sound almost convincing. And, dare I say, she did display almost militaristic loyalty to her single supporter - however misplaced.
And then - to top it off - she sloughs off several seedy political scandals like dead skin; ethnic vote pandering, sexual harassment by one of her top staff members, a skewed politicized report on the Burnaby Hospital, party political work done on the taxpayer dime - it seemed like at least one ugly mess a month leading up to the election. She even manages to avoid having the legislature meet - and it hardly raises eyebrows. Probably an indication of how we are all rather tired of any form of political bickering - even if it is part of a working democracy.
She even fended off legal action instigated by John van Dongen, who was intent on connecting her to the old B.C. Rail scandal, all of which was broadcasted endlessly by the media.
And then she was vindicated - with much less fanfare.
All this while polls and pundits had her a) being abandoned by Liberal party members, b) being disliked by women voters and c) being criticized for her parenting.
A lesser woman would have locked herself in a bathroom stall in Walmart and chugged down a gallon of Haagen Daz butter pecan ice cream while listening to Barbra Streisand belt out People on her iPod.
editor Instead she straightens up her shoulders, pastes on a big smile, slaps on a hard hat, and just keeps sticking out her hand and repeating the same darn "economy" slogan over and over and over.
She doesn't play nice, and she sure doesn't give her opponents any free shots.
When it was reported that she ran a red light - quite deliberately - in order to impress her son. I felt for her.
I didn't see a reckless driver, I saw a mom desperate to keep her son from getting grumpy and making a scene while a reporter was along for the ride. Much the way a mom will give a kid a candy bar in a store, rather than deal with the inevitable embarrassing tantrum.
Why the Liberals took a fourth term despite a rather chequered history and polls that put Adrian Dix and the NDP 20 points ahead only one month ago, is probably a multi-layered political thesis subject.
But there's no doubt that Clark's gumption has got a lot to do with it.
Yes, negative ads; NDP supporters who took the win for granted; an opponent who thought a measured, positive approach would impress voters; who also thought voters would not forget the HST debacle; voters who believed the tender shoots of a timid economy would wilt with an NDP government; a leader who was caught lying - that all counts for something.
But there's no question in my mind that voters want leaders who take a licking and come back ticking.
Whether it's the hockey player who skates out for another period with gauze plastered over a bloody cut, or a politician who comes back for a third - or was it fourth - time to Burnaby during the campaign, saying the Burnaby-Deer Lake riding had "no business" being NDP - well, folks respect that fiesty, take no prisoners, attitude. They may not agree with everything she stands for - but she has spunk.
Now, does that make her a great leader, or a good premier? Given her track record, I would say no. But it's given her a second crack at the job - and, if nothing else, she may have learned a few lessons along the way. G.I. Jane sure did.
Pat Tracy is the editor of the Burnaby NOW, and its sister paper, The Record.
