conservative convention

Paul Wells: At least the Conservative leader said what many in his party believe, which is that the party’s days as a Stephen Harper cargo cult need to end

Andrew MacDougall: Underestimate Pierre Poilievre at your peril

Dennis Matthews: The most successful brands insert themselves into culture without turning away existing audiences

Senator Irving Gerstein’s ignored speech reveals the new reality in political fundraising

Why the PM chose not to come clean on the Senate scandal

Colby Cosh reports from CPC Land

Paul Wells reports from quarantine in the land of blue-clad volunteers

Paul Wells sets the scene for the Conservative convention

Across the street and behind a metal barricade, a young man in a bike helmet, holding a pink sign that read “contempt,” was yelling at Conservative delegates as they filed into the giant glass orb that is the Ottawa convention centre. He yelled about the G8 and the $50 million. He yelled about Bev Oda. He yelled about the defeated candidates now in the Senate. He yelled the word “mockery” more than a few times. Most of the delegates ignored him. Some smiled and laughed and waved.

“I’ll take substance with nastiness over civil emptiness, anytime…”

Must-reads: Rosie DiManno on race statistics; Lawrence Martin on finding a new Speaker

Miscellaneous Canadian news