Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobblehead
The first time I heard Preston Manning speak was at McMaster in the early 90's (I'm guessing 90 or 91). This was when the Reform was still a western party. I also went to speeches/presentations by Michael Wilson (who was Finance Minister at the time) and John Crow (Governor of the Bank of Canada)
The venue (University Hall - same place John Crow spoke) was packed. His visit had garnered a lot of interest.
He spoke and then took questions after.
I came away from that with the distinct impression of a smarmy politician who I would never vote for. Maybe that isn't what he is like, but that is how he came across to me and many of the people who heard him. Evasive, not answering questions, promising he'll, "Get back to you next week". An all around poor showing. That has stayed as my impression of him.
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Personally, Manning is a very shy person and certainly early on in his political career, before he was even elected, I could see this having an impact on his public speaking. However, he is not a smarmy or dishonest person at all.