The Big Story

Digging into the final stretch of the Liberal leadership race

Feb 27, 2025

Dan Arnold, Chief Strategy Officer at Pollara and former pollster for the Prime Minister, shares his expertise on the unfolding Liberal leadership race. He analyzes the recent debates and their impact on voter support, noting a significant shift in favor of the Liberals. Arnold discusses strategies candidates are employing in these final days and dives into the importance of language and personal stories, especially in the Quebec context. He also touches on mobilization efforts and the complexities of voter turnout, preparing for the impending leadership decision.

21:45

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Episode guests

Dan Arnold

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Quick takeaways

The Liberal leadership candidates are focusing on assertive leadership to address external threats like U.S. tariffs from President Trump.

Recent polling indicates a major shift in voter sentiment, with the Liberals leading the Conservatives for the first time in years.

Deep dives

Candidates Positioning Against External Threats

The ongoing Liberal leadership campaign has intensified as candidates seek to establish themselves as viable leaders against external threats such as U.S. tariffs potentially imposed by President Donald Trump. Candidates utilized recent debates to demonstrate their capabilities in confronting such challenges. The rhetoric surrounding Trump depicts the urgency for strong leadership, with candidates emphasizing their commitment to protecting Canadian interests. A prominent candidate highlighted the need to 'fight very strongly' and to possess the 'right tools' for the job, indicating a focus on assertive leadership amid geopolitical pressures.

Intro

3min

Analyzing the Dynamics of the Liberal Leadership Debates

3min

Language Barriers and Voter Connection in Quebec Politics

2min

Analyzing Leadership Styles and Debate Dynamics in the Liberal Race

3min

Mobilization: The Final Countdown in the Liberal Leadership Race

12min

The four candidates in the Liberal leadership race are on the last leg of the campaign after going head to head in French and English debates earlier this week.

The March 9th leadership date is fast approaching. It comes as the country sees a dramatic shift in voter support, with the Liberals vaulting ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in years.

So did the debate move the needle of support, what are the candidates doing in these final days of the campaign, and will this surge in Liberal support last?

To answer those questions, host Cormac Mac Sweeney is joined by Dan Arnold, Chief Strategy Officer at Pollara, and formerly a pollster for the prime minister and head of research and advertising at the PMO.

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