PM the PM's setting sun?

It wasn't that long ago that Paul Martin was hailed as a steadfast champion for fiscal sensibility, his guardianship of the Canadian treasury as Finance Minister smiled upon favorably by esteemed economics professors and publications around the world.

However, every rose must lose it's bloom we suspect, for the Economist magazine has found the former Finance Minister to be a tad lacking now that he has the big job and the key to the executive washroom.

In the next edition (to be released Monday) of the widely read bible for the world's political junkies, the magazine finds our PM the PM to be a bit of a ditherer. Not really a surprise to the Canadian media which has been following his rather cautious attempts at governance since his grasping of the ring a year ago, but still as they say you're not a somebody til they notice you from afar.

The PM who has made a few stumbles on his path to power, seems to have lost that edge that he was supposed to bring to the table after not so gently easing the Sultan of Shawinigan out the door. Bogged down with mini scandals from the Chretien era, problems of his own making and a wandering agenda of his own, the first stages of the Martin years have been rather unenthusiastically received. There are constant reports of dissension within his inner circle and a blind loyalty to long time friends, some who may not be serving him very well.

The Economist article paints the Prime Minister as a bit of a hostage to his Premiers, showing a faltering image as leader and suggesting that perhaps the job is too big for him after all. It no doubt won't be required reading at the next caucus retreat.

Of course the article will find a rather welcome home in the study of a former Prime Minister, who when he's not bouncing golf balls at inquiries, likes to keep his legacy aspirations polished to a bright shine. It wasn't too long ago that the Economist put Canada on the cover calling it a cool place to be, progressive and well managed, points that the then Prime Minister took full credit for and lives on to this day.

For a man of Martin's stature, who has felt at home in the International world for a number of years now, the impression of a yokel stumble bum, incapable of expressing any kind of vision must surely take him aback. I mean this is the guy that had Bono show up for his leadership celebration to raise the profile of the third world, it was Martin who gave a passionate plea to get more involved in the world at that time, giving hope for a return to Canada's once respected place in the world's agenda. Other great visions were delivered at that time, still great on paper, yet still we slumber on. Is he a man of many great intentions, but one with no delivery?

Seemingly these points were not lost on the Economist (though they are certainly more disappointed in the fiscal side than the humanitarian issues) and now with next Monday's issue, they will be points to be shared with a wider audience around the world.

The cautious style of Martin seems to be working against him, provinces almost bully him into decisions, while his own party are at times at each other's throats over past transgressions. Perhaps the time has come to be a tad more of an autocrat, take charge of things and set some serious achievable goals to put a stamp on this version of the Liberal party.

All the whirlwind trips around the world will be wasted, if the image presented by the Economist stands the test of this Prime Ministers time. Image comes in the cost of a magazine at under five dollars an issue, all the PR in the world won't change the damage done over a few pages.

Some bold declarations need to be made, worthwhile legislation that will catch the attention of the Canadian electorate (and by design the parts of the world that know we exist). A course needs to be set soon, and followed through on, in order to regain the momentum Martin had when he received the leadership from his party and subsequently from the public.

Back then the Liberals were at least capable of making a few decisions (some good, some obviously bad), best to make a few more (preferably the good ones) before the Economist comes back our way in 365 days.