Why in the in-office address will backfire

Jack Layton summed it up best today. It's too presidential. Too American.

Canadians might lean to the left, but they don't possess much appetite for the cult of personality that Paul Martin set up for himself (through raising expectations) upon assuming office.

This might sound cliche, but most Canadians generally hate all politicians.

We're a deeply cynical nation.

We're not generally a nation of believers at any level.

Not religiously, not in the potential of the individual, and most certainly not in our politicians.

I try to be a believer. I make an extra effort every day not to be cynical; to give people the benefit of the doubt, and if we actually had a semi-charismatic leader who seemed consistent and sincere in his or her beliefs, I'd likely succumb to that sad state of actually respecting and (possibly) admiring him or her, regardless of their political affiliation (think: Tony Blair).

Yes, I know... You don't need to tell me. I know I'm going against core Canadian values.