Cecil Clarke is travelling the province of Nova Scotia while collecting a full-time CBRM mayoral salary. In the process of seeking the PC leadership, he'll do whatever he can to get the job he wants. That ranges from masking his "promises"-style campaigning under the guise of "grassroots" or "listening" to bleeding fellow candidate John Lohr dry of his supporters - drafting everything Lohr builds support with. The result of these strategies is why we're hearing Cecil's turkey pledge or his boasts of how he'll take on Justin Trudeau.

Will Clarke be able to take on Trudeau, or just emulate his worst characteristics?

For the rest of the article, the following video is a prerequisite. Please watch it first, before continuing. Within the video, you'll see examples of very similar behaviour from Justin Trudeau and Cecil Clarke as both men refuse to answer the direct questions they are asked.

I don't buy into the idea of Clarke being able to be a tough negotiator with the Federal government. Trudeau wouldn't need his boxing skills to quickly swat Clarke away.

Unlike Tim Houston, Clarke isn't skilled in a debate as it pertains to effectively arguing a point and advancing his position. He's skilled in debate in the sense of mumbling and avoidance as the video shows.

When Justin Trudeau sits silently in the House of Commons refusing to answer a question, how is that any different than Cecil Clarke sitting before the CBRM Council and refusing to answer a question?

Here in the CBRM, we have to pay him while he campaigns for another job, but he doesn't have to tell us his intentions whether he wins or loses.

His closest allies like Councillor George MacDonald aren't concerned with Clarke refusing to answer the question raised by Councillor Ray Paruch, because MacDonald likely already knows the answer as a loyal member of the inner circle of ole boys

Paruch asked:

Would Cecil Clarke resign as mayor if he was chosen by PC members as the party leader?

Cecil Clarke doesn't think the CBRM deserve to know the answer.

Fortunately for the PC Party of Nova Scotia, they do have a leadership candidate who excels in communication, one who is skilled in debate, and one who clearly knows how to take the government to task.

If the party elects Tim Houston as the leader, they won't have to worry about Cecil Clarke starting the job as PC leader and then acting like Justin Trudeau instead of taking him on. Here's what a real leader looks like:

NOTE: The views expressed above are my own and do not represent lokol (goCapeBreton.com). Read more