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Juggernaut
An inside account of Paul Martin’s decades-long campaign for the prime minister’s how he did it, at what cost, and where he will take the country in the years ahead
The most riveting political contest of the past decade has not been fought at the polling booths, nor on the floor of the House of it has been waged, mostly out of sight, within the palace ranks of the ruling Liberal Party.
In the early 1990s, Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin forged a political alliance that kept the Liberals comfortably in power and the Opposition in Martin’s fundamental retooling of government spending and winning economic policies gave lustre to Chrétien’s leadership; Chrétien’s support for his star minister gave Martin a pedestal for his larger ambitions.
Those ambitions could not be higher. Since the early eighties, Martin’s interest in political office has meant interest in the prime minister’s office. At the 1990 leadership convention, however, he finished second to Chrétien. Their corrosive rivalry and very different political styles could not be buried for their duel for supremacy – played out only partly in public view – culminated in the infamous weekend in June 2002 when Martin was fired – or did he walk? – from Chretién’s cabinet.
Juggernaut charts in intimate detail Martin’s long journey to the leadership now within his grasp. Central to that story is the role played by Martin’s corps of committed kingmakers – public relations experts, savvy pollsters, and true believers -who will have enormous influence on the prime ministership to be.
Based on extraordinary access to players from all camps, Juggernaut offers Canadians an inside account of the rise of the man now poised to take power, how he got there, at what cost, and where he will take the country in the years ahead.
The most riveting political contest of the past decade has not been fought at the polling booths, nor on the floor of the House of it has been waged, mostly out of sight, within the palace ranks of the ruling Liberal Party.
In the early 1990s, Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin forged a political alliance that kept the Liberals comfortably in power and the Opposition in Martin’s fundamental retooling of government spending and winning economic policies gave lustre to Chrétien’s leadership; Chrétien’s support for his star minister gave Martin a pedestal for his larger ambitions.
Those ambitions could not be higher. Since the early eighties, Martin’s interest in political office has meant interest in the prime minister’s office. At the 1990 leadership convention, however, he finished second to Chrétien. Their corrosive rivalry and very different political styles could not be buried for their duel for supremacy – played out only partly in public view – culminated in the infamous weekend in June 2002 when Martin was fired – or did he walk? – from Chretién’s cabinet.
Juggernaut charts in intimate detail Martin’s long journey to the leadership now within his grasp. Central to that story is the role played by Martin’s corps of committed kingmakers – public relations experts, savvy pollsters, and true believers -who will have enormous influence on the prime ministership to be.
Based on extraordinary access to players from all camps, Juggernaut offers Canadians an inside account of the rise of the man now poised to take power, how he got there, at what cost, and where he will take the country in the years ahead.
- GenresPolitics
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2003
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 28, 2021
What an amazing account of the Paul Martin-Chretien battle. Delacourt recounts all the details in a way that only someone who was there for the events described could. It is so interesting to see the inner workings of Martin's team. This book gave me an a new appreciation for Paul Martin. he seems like a smart man and a great leader. I loved following all the personalities involved such as David Herle, Scott Reid, and Ruth Thorkelson. There are some moments of intense interpersonal drama in this saga that Delcaourt really does justice to. Who ever said Canadian politics is boring!
July 2, 2013
An insider's look at Paul Martin's ascent to 24 Sussex, from his earliest days as an "outsider" of the Liberals, in 1982. Delacourt paints a very clear picture of everything that went down to help Martin usurp Jean Chretien as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
What's most intriguing is the potential lessons that Liberals could have gleaned from this and how it could have helped the party avoid the debacle of the past 7 years. Only time will tell if we will ever learn our lessons.
What's most intriguing is the potential lessons that Liberals could have gleaned from this and how it could have helped the party avoid the debacle of the past 7 years. Only time will tell if we will ever learn our lessons.
October 25, 2015
very entertaining indeed
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews