By Matt Gurney - from the National Post
After (and even during) the cabinet shuffle, media talking heads began to muse about whether John Baird was suited to the job of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Obviously, it’s a high profile job, especially since these are trying times for Canadian diplomacy. We are fighting two wars, face the risk of global protectionism due to the economic trouble the world is facing, we must assert sovereignty over the Arctic and defend our oil sands from international criticism, while avoiding any fruitless, costly global warming treaties. But none of the concern about Baird’s ability to do the job right is focused on the fact that it’s a difficult job. People mainly seem worried that Baird just isn’t that nice a guy and might not be the best choice to represent Canada on the world stage.
How absurd.
Yes, over the last few years, Baird has been the attack dog of Stephen Harper in the House. But that was a job that needed filling. The last House was fractious, to say the least. The Tories needed a warrior who was able to become outraged on command and not seem ridiculous while doing it. There’s an argument to be made that having a guy like Baird permanently on Defcon 2 didn’t exactly help make the House a more pleasant place to work, and it’s a fair one, but every party in the House shares some responsibility for the tenor of the debate. That’s not to absolve the Tories of their stunts, of course, but simply to say that in the context of a hyper-partisan minority parliament, a partisan hothead was required and Baird filled the role well.
But that doesn’t mean that’s the only role he’s capable of filling. Indeed, another important — if unofficial — task for John Baird has been to be Laureen Harper’s companion at society events all over Ottawa. When the Prime Minister is unable to attend an event (or simply indulges his introversion and chooses not to), his wife often steps up and wines, dines and schmoozes with Ottawa’s elite. She’s so good at the personal side of politics that U.S. diplomatic documents leaked by WikiLeaks even referred to her as the Prime Minister’s secret weapon. And often at her side at those social charmfests? Why, it’s John Baird!
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