Former Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney & Jean Chretien - Photo Credit: Canadian Press

Former Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney and Jean Chretien share many negative and positive traits. In fact, the similarities between the two is striking: both of Quebec working class stock, both possessing enormous drive and both doggedly determined to prove their condescending critics wrong, and both very vindictive individuals with an inability to forgive and forget. Both men were remarkable and very effective political campaigners and were viewed by opponents during campaigns as formidable political adversaries. Both married well, each married to a vibrant, warm, and talented lady, and both appear to have been loving husbands. Whatever you may think about Mulroney’s ethics and Chretien’s “ little guy from Shawinigan” schtick, it would have been a glorious and exciting match if these two were to fight each other for the Prime Ministership. But it was a contest that never happened.

What follows is a bit of counterfactual history. What if Brian Mulroney and Jean Chretien were to face each other in a battle for political supremacy? The synopsis that follows reflects my imaginings of what might have happened.
(more…)