O'Brien Keeps Convincing: A "Genuine" Example

Call it "damage control". Call it "spin doctoring". Call it "spinning your wheels". It's likely what Larry O'Brien's opponents are salivating over today. But they'd be pulling a risky one if they do because what Larry O'Brien has done is what many voters have long waited to see from a politician; take an honest stand and admit a mistake.

I call it "being genuine".

Maybe it's because he's not a professional politician; because he doesn't have long-in-the-tooth political spinners and handlers on his campaign, that he's afforded a refreshing aura of clarity in his mission. It's the stuff that has created a self-made millionaire out of the humblest of beginnings and it all started with an honest day's work.

For his defence, we can all agree that Larry O'Brien's remarks last week- suggesting citizens stop giving money to panhandlers to feed their drug habits - WAS and IS the only appropriate position to take. He simply articulated this in a general term and the jump was made to the wrong conclusion.

But what's refreshing in the wake of a street citizen's criticism of O'Brien's comment is that the candidate didn't spin the matter. He didn't lament that he was taken out of context. And he didn't cast blame.

He took ownership. He took responsibility. And he took command of the situation.

It all started November 1st, when O'Brien took a tour of the Byward market and made comments to a reporter:

Don't help panhandlers: O'Brien

"It was an eye-opening experience, to see the clear relationship between panhandling and the drug trade," he said.

He said people giving money to panhandlers are often unwittingly contribution to drug use.

If elected, he said, he would start a public information campaign to tell people they aren’t doing panhandlers any favours by giving them money.

"We are killing them with kindness," he said.

What resulted was the general reaction to a stereotype and one man's exception to it. Panhandler Dennis Pettigrew needed to be heard.

No crack for panhandler

What Pettigrew, 54, says he found most hurtful was when a young boy walking with his mother passed him on the street a couple of days ago.

"He pointed to me and said 'there's one of those crackheads mom,'" said Pettigrew, bowing and shaking his head. "That hurts. It really does."

Pettigrew was heard. But what he, himself, heard next was from a most unlikely source these days: the politician responsible for his hurt and confusion.

O'Brien apologizes for remarks

"I truly apologize if what I said hurt you," O'Brien said, putting his hand on Pettigrew's shoulder.

(snip)

Listening intently to what Pettigrew had to say yesterday, O'Brien agreed the city isn't doing enough to make sure people like him are receiving the services they need. "The most effective thing I can do is make sure the organizations intended to help ... are operating as they should," said O'Brien, asking if there was anything more the city could do to help.

"I'd like there to be an ambassador. Someone from the street that could speak to council," Pettigrew told O'Brien.

O'Brien seemed to like the idea.

"Your ideas and judgment are sound," said O'Brien. "I want to keep listening to you. Let's be agents of change.">

What Larry O'Brien succeeded in doing was bring attention to the reality that drugs are a problem on our streets and that a significant percentage of panhandlers are addicts. But there was collateral damage to the reputations of those with genuine need, which was the result of a kneejerk jump to stereotype.

O'Brien's "killing them with kindness" quote represented his genuine concern for the addicted. His direct and contrite response to Mr. Pettigrew represents his genuine concern for the truth. His courageous return to the market to meet personally with Pettigrew resulted in greater perspective, new information and ideas that lead to solutions. "I want to keep listening to you. Let's be agents of change." A genuine attitude that led to genuine success for a genuine leader.

Larry O'Brien, for his first time in the political arena, by his own admission, is getting on-the-job training every day. And every day his performance strengthens, his confidence deepens and his knowledge base widens.

He now knows what the box looks like. He knows where the box is. He'll think outside it quite comfortably. He knows where the lines are but don't be surprised if the crayon draws a new line. It's the innovative quality that promotes "what could be". It says "this can be done!"

As Larry O'Brien's opponents and critics continue howling that Larry O'Brien is not ready for the job of Mayor of Ottawa, it's now time for a new crayon to write the new ballot question...

Because the job is DEFINITELY ready for Larry O'Brien.