The psychoanalysis of Sam Sullivan's loss, by me and everyone
There’s been an incredible flood of commentary about the political U-turn that no one expected, as everyone tries to understand this story of Sam Sullivan’s rise and fall. (Or, if not understand it, put their spin on it.) And it’s not surprising there is a fascination with analyzing it, because Sam’s story — paralyzed at 19 in a ski accident, rises to become the first quadriplegic mayor in Canada, waves the flag for Canada at the Olympics — is so exceptional and quirky and fraught with drama. He’s been heroic and he’s been flawed. It doesn’t get more compelling than that.
Vision council candidate Geoff Meggs, someone who’s a thoughtful political analyst, writes that it’s because of all the work Vision councillors did in scrutinizing the NPA and the mayor’s record. Gary Mason at the Globe and Mail says it’s because there was just the public just didn’t like about Sam. He quoted an anonymous mayor’s aide (for those who can’t guess, it was Daniel Fontaine) talking about how people did look down on Sam because of his disability and didn’t see his disability. At the Georgia Straight, where Charlie Smith has been posting like mad with some great analysis since the vote, Charlie says it’s because Sam was a lone wolf and intellectual who didn’t schmooze enough with the media, the glitterati, and the federal Liberals.
There are some elements of truth to what they, and others, are saying. But they don’t explain everything.
Yes, there was energetic (at times) political opposition. And, as every political strategist knows, one of the sure keys to success is framing your opponent to the public, negatively, before he can frame himself. But the opposition wasn’t always effective or on target. And other politicians have survived energetic attacks by their opponents.
Yes, he is a kind of lone wolf. But he is also an arch-schmoozer. Sam started holding salons years ago, where he would invite important people from around the city, put on a big spread and maybe bring in some musicians. By his own admission, he loved hanging around with rich people, “because they can do things,” and one of his biggest supporters was Lorne Segal, a Malcolm Parry column regular.
Tags: city, talk