Writ, Large

Day 0 – of the Campaign Beard. It won’t end well.

So, the game is now on. Afoot, as a Sherlockian might say.

Now, the most popular way to portray politics is not as intellectual challenge; except for the odd reference to chess and how pieces are moved around the board as politicians try and remain a few moves ahead.

Instead, usually, almost without fail, politics is illustrated as a sporting event. For instance, today a report – I’m sure – says the flag dropped to start the race.

Horse racing, the Sport of Kings, is the favourite by several lengths for reporters. Though boxing always fashions an appearance, as candidates go for the knockout punch or drag themselves off the mat. Every once in a while athletics makes it in, as someone is said to be running a long, lonely race. Plus, whether hockey or football (soccer), the occasional own goal makes its presence felt.

The sporting analogy is an apt one, to be sure. Old-timers will remember Alan Fotheringham, a Chilliwack boy who made good and arguably made the back page of Maclean’s famous. He’s the first person who I heard say that sports reporters make good political reporters as they’re used to covering games, which might explain the glut of sports metaphors.

Back in my journalism days, when Paul Ramsey chose not to run again, I was asked to speak at his roast. Memories are vague but comparing the relationships between press and politicians as akin to the WWE springs to mind – what it is now labelled sports entertainment. No one disputed the comparison.

Fotheringham also said: “In the Maritimes, politics is a disease, in Quebec a religion, in Ontario a business, on the Prairies a protest and in British Columbia – entertainment.”

So there is a long and proud tradition of compressing politics and sports. For those in British Columbia, the focus is now about the next 28 days as May 9 will be when voters decide who has the honour of forming government.

During this time, expect no day-to-day insights into how the campaign is going. No Roman-a-clef moments a la Primary Colours. No expressions of angst or assurance.

There may be posts on the Maple Leafs, the best political books/movies or other random stuff. Like the superstitions that I have developed over the past few campaigns, superstitions that cannot be trifled with.

To begin, the fresh-faced fellow you see before will soon transform. It’s the beginning of the campaign beard… this is day 0. During the remaining days, I’ll update with pictures. It won’t be pretty. That I promise.

And Go Leafs Go.