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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Political survivors make way for others
In politics, few events pique the interest as does a sudden departure of a key political adviser.
Such was the case earlier this week when Michael Balagus, chief of staff to Premier Greg Selinger, suddenly announced he was stepping down from his post. Was he pushed? Did he jump? Sometimes the act of speculating is more satisfying, and more interesting, than the actual truth.
In an interview, Balagus said after 81/2 years serving two Manitoba premiers, it was time for a change. "I felt the need to head off in a new direction," Balagus said. "I feel like I've accomplished a lot. But there comes a point when for you and for others, it's time to make a change."
In politics, the "it-was-time-to-make-a-change" statement could be open to many interpretations. It has always been a common belief in NDP circles Balagus, an edgy strategist with a reputation for bare-knuckle tactics, was not Selinger's kind of guy.
Balagus came back to Manitoba nearly a decade ago to serve then-premier Gary Doer. When Doer resigned to take a post as Canada's ambassador to the United States and Selinger won the race to lead the NDP, it was assumed Doer's staff would be dumped, led by Balagus.
Certainly, Selinger's top supporters urged him to do so, hoping to make a clean break from the sometimes-suffocating Doer legacy. Selinger did not, however, elect to bring in his own person. And given last fall's remarkable electoral victory -- a campaign Balagus directed -- that seems like a good decision indeed.
Regardless of whether he left or was quietly encouraged to go, what is undeniable is few chiefs of staff last 81/2 years. In Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems to change chiefs of staff more frequently than he has called elections, and he has dropped quite a few writs in the last few years. In this regard, Balagus qualifies as an unqualified survivor.
But what now of Selinger's inner circle? The fact is Balagus is just the latest in a series of key advisers and aides who have decided to move on.
Balagus's post will be filled on an interim basis by Ihor Michalchyshyn, who had been the deputy chief of staff for less than a year. He replaced longtime Doer deputy chief of staff Judith Baldwin, who departed early last year.
In addition to Baldwin, policy secretariat head Rory Henry and Angela Mathieson, secretary to the community economic development committee of cabinet, have left or are preparing to do so. CEDC and the policy secretariat are the two key political cabinet committees within the NDP government, and losing the head of both is, along with Balagus's departure, a big challenge for Selinger.
To address these losses, Selinger has elected to combine policy and CEDC to create a new super-political body within government called the priorities and planning committee of cabinet. This will be where government discusses big economic-development deals and analyzes all government business through a political lens. Like CEDC, it will handle some of the detailed negotiations with other levels of government and keep an eye on all cabinet ministers to ensure no one is wandering too close to a political landmine.
The new P&P committee will be headed up by Anna Rothney, a younger, well-regarded political adviser who started under Doer but was a core Selinger backer during the leadership race. Selinger may be scratching his supporters' itch to see him appoint his own people in key positions, but no knowledgeable NDP sources would say she's the wrong woman for the job. On the contrary, Rothney, the former deputy secretary to CEDC, is seen as a leader among a new generation of political operatives moving up the ranks.
Wholesale changes in key political staff can be a dangerous strategy for any leader. The best politicians make a habit of surrounding themselves with strong-minded, intelligent advisers. Experience in running a government, or winning elections, is hard to replace. Too many hubristic politicians have rashly shed talented operatives purely for the sake of cutting ties to former leaders and administrations. (For a more detailed examination of the folly of this strategy, see Paul Martin and the federal Liberal party.) But there is also something to be said for rejuvenating a party and creating opportunities for younger generations.
Balagus said there is always anxiety surrounding the departure of someone who is deemed to be "irreplaceable." The reality is the job goes on.
"You can't replace the best people. But you still have to figure out a way of getting the job done. That helps you find the next irreplaceable person."
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 20, 2012 A6
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