Portraying your side as noble and innocent and the other side as sinister and immoral does nothing to lower the temperature
It should go without saying that the attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump represents an act of unacceptable political violence that should be widely condemned.
The incident has also led to questions about whether the political discourse has become too heated, although at this point nothing is indicating the gunman had subscribed to or been swayed by any sort of over-the-top rhetoric.
Regardless, it would be irresponsible for political leaders to exploit this event or use it to score political points. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Alberta’s premier did last week. And rather than cool the political temperature here, her comments are likely to further fan the flames.
Speaking in Halifax two days after the shooting, Danielle Smith used the opportunity to point a finger at her political opponents: “The way in which conservative politicians have been characterized is outrageous . . . and I certainly hope that some of the progressive politicians here are careful of their language . . . they need to dial it down.”
When asked for examples, Smith pointed to the use of a specific word: “Have you not looked at the headlines about how Pierre Poilievre is described as dangerous? How the leader of the Opposition in Alberta has described me as dangerous? When you start using that kind of rhetoric, that ends up creating an elevated risk for all of us.”
First of all, Smith is surely not oblivious to the sort of political rhetoric regularly on display in Alberta aimed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (who is deservedly unpopular). A couple of years ago, for example, a member of the UCP caucus posted (and subsequently deleted) a meme about how Trudeau needs to be taken “to the train station” (a euphemism for murder on the TV show Yellowstone).
A broad condemnation of all inflammatory rhetoric, regardless of its source, could be helpful. Portraying your side as noble and innocent and the other side as sinister and immoral, however, does nothing to lower the temperature.
But the premier’s comments also betray either a colossal lack of self-awareness or a massive dose of hypocrisy. Or both.
If Smith considers it reckless to refer to political opponents as “dangerous” and that doing so puts people in harm’s way, why has she been so comfortable doing so herself?
Late last year, Smith’s government denounced federal net zero electricity regulations as “dangerous.” Then, on her provincewide radio show, Smith zeroed in on the federal environment minister: “I’m not going to pretend to you that Steven Guilbeault is at all somebody we can work with. I think he’s very dangerous, quite frankly. He’s dangerous to the federation and he’s dangerous because he doesn’t honour the Constitution and he acts outside the law.”
Earlier this year, Smith boasted on social media about her aggressive tone at a Commons committee: “I didn’t hold back my opinion on some of the truly outlandish and dangerous policies suggested by this federal government and its environment minister.”
The premier was not trying to incite violence against Guilbeault, nor would she be responsible if such a thing happened. Smith, though, clearly believes that “dangerous” is within the bounds of rough but fair political discourse. It follows, then, that her comments last week were not sincere and had other, more political motivations.
Whether it’s the attempt on Trump’s life or the armed man who crashed through the gates of Rideau Hall in 2020 trying to hunt down the prime minister, acts of political violence should lead to introspection but should not be exploited for political gain. They should also not be used as shields to prevent or discredit legitimate — and even harsh — criticism of political leaders.
Rough language in politics may not be everyone’s cup of tea and perhaps we could do with less of it.
However, hypocrisy and political gamesmanship are two things we undoubtedly could do with less of.
“Afternoons with Rob Breakenridge” airs weekdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on QR Calgary Radio