One of the couples has retired from St. John's to their home town out around the bay. They spend the summer and fall in Newfoundland, and the winter and spring in Florida. A family illness caused them to return early this year.Always up for playing the devil's advocate, I said, so are there many young people out that way? No they replied, all of rural Newfoundland is a retirement village, sure you knows that. I retorted that if Danny was doing such a good job, why has he not created some opportunities on the other side of the overpass.
Well, well! Did I ever get a blast. None of these folks are political in the slightest, but they are true believers. They love the man, he can do not wrong. He is the best leader we have ever had, they said. There was no logic, no concrete reasons to back up why he was so good. It was a truism, not to be questioned, only accepted.
Perception in politics is reality, and the reality is that he is trusted and revered. That he is a humble servant of Newfoundland and Labrador, who has forgone a salary to make this a better place to live and to create opportunities for future generations to come. They like the cut of his gib and genuinely respect him.
While the non-believers talk about propaganda and orchestrated speaking notes, of how the premier's support is a mile long and an inch thick, of goosed polls and fear tactics, the reality is that it is not all spin. The polls are for real, and the voters are unlikely to change their minds anytime soon.
He has a strong social conscience and is a leader who takes a direct approach that people obviously respect. His nationalist brand of left-of-centre politics has resulted in near complete domination of the political landscape.
Danny Williams is a phenomenon, the likes of which we may never see again!


