Everyone has momentary slip-ups from time to time where they say something silly or false that they immediately regret. For government ministers, however, the slightest slip-up can result in immediate ridicule from opponents or the media.
In his op-ed for Maclean’s, Professor Paul Boothe recalled his time as a deputy minister living in fear of an unexpected question for his minister. He recounted how former Alberta premier Ralph Klein gracefully dealt with surprising questions from the media.
“Premier Klein was the master of throwing the shifter into reverse when he got stuck in the mud,” said Boothe. “However, unlike most politicians, he had no compunction about changing his mind if someone had a better idea.”
