Comment: Behind every successful politician
By Lloyd Mackey
DURING the November 6 farewell speeches for Jean Chretien, in the House
of
Commons, the name of Maryon Pearson, was invoked.
Pearson was the wife of Lester B., Liberal prime minister in the '60s.
Maryon's quote, roughly paraphrased, was that "behind every successful
politician there is a surprised spouse."
For the occasion, Aline was sitting demurely in the members' gallery
facing her husband and the government benches. And she received
standing
ovations every time one of the opposition party spokespersons cited her
contribution to Jean's success.
Through the years, she helped shape him by loving him into a softer
form
of toughness that was not evident in his early life.
Indeed, she never did completely tame him. In fact, she reportedly
feared
for his political future after the infamous incident in Gatineau when
he
vigorously grabbed the neck of a young protester.
Her fears were unfounded. He has lasted, and retires with a reputation
for
shrewd, tough and competent political leadership.
Jean Chretien came from an old-style Catholic family of nine children.
He
rejected his church, in fair measure, as oppressive, as did many
Quebecers. But he continued, with Aline, to practice their faith.
Always,
that practice represented a struggle between adherence to traditional
doctrine and the perceived need to respect other values in the
governance
of a diverse nation.
That is good to remember at this Advent season, with its reminders of
faith, family and incarnation. And Joe Clark's tribute to the Chretiens
reinforces these tensions.
Clark, another former prime minister, referred to Maryon Pearson's
quote
by noting pointedly that his own wife, Maureen McTeer, would have
agreed
with her, except to delete the word "behind". The implication: his
spouse,
would have insisted that she was "beside" her husband. Or even a person
of
political significance in her own right.
My own spouse, Edna, and I are currently reading McTeer's recent
autobiography, In My Own Name. We have noted, with interest,
that
her strong views in certain areas of social policy could not have
helped
but shape Clark's bent toward both Red Toryism and liberal Catholicism.
Particularly, she makes the point that, as a Catholic, she is strongly
opposed to abortion. But, as a feminist, she believes she cannot avoid
the
issue of choice. Her faith influences her to the extent that she would
not
want to be identified with those supporting abortion on demand.
* * *
Edna and I, as it turns out, are in Toronto today, November 13, a few
days
after the Commons farewell. We are just a few miles away from where the
Liberal convention was honoring their departing prime minister.
The occasion for our Toronto visit is an evening to honor John and
Eleanor
Irwin. If all goes according to plan, John, particularly, will be cited
for 30 years of board and leadership service to Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.
John is a Christian servant leader extraordinaire. He made his mark
early
on as a textbook publisher. When he sold the family business a couple
of
decades ago, he turned much of his effort to board work, mainly with
Inter-Varsity and McMaster Divinity College, and, as well with such
organizations as the Evangelical Fellowship, Scripture Union and
Christian
Info Canada.
John and Eleanor raised a family of four. And, in her own right,
Eleanor
made her mark as a well-regarded classics professor at the University
of
Toronto.
I am certain that God was smiling when they were feted on the same
evening, and in the same city as the Chretiens.
Lloyd Mackey is a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
