Moving the Overton Window

| Ian Hanna

I’d completely forgotten about Pastor Jeremiah Wright until reminded of him this morning while reading about Ben Rhodes’ new book on famous political speeches.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/28/ben-rhodes-all-we-say-book?CMP=share_btn_url Obama’s former speechwriter Ben Rhodes examines America through its 15 most defining speeches

Wright sparked controversy during the 2008 Democratic Primary for his connection with Barack Obama and some polarizing comments on race. As Rhodes points out, what was divisive and controversial in 2008 now seems like conventional wisdom. It’s an interesting observation.

https://www.mackinac.org/OvertonWindow

As I look at this week’s headlines on an Alberta referendum on separation, I can’t help wonder what the long term consequences of the rhetoric will be. Will the end result be anger and division or a newly refined definition of what it means to be Canada and Canadian. We will be moving our collective sense of things. But in which direction?

Hard to say. All I know for sure is the end product of political movements and their associated discourse is profoundly unpredictable and beyond the control of those who launch such events for their own, narrow purposes.

This is why, in politics, you have to be careful with your words.

They mean something and can change things, but you can never be certain of your direction of travel.

Suspicion and Confusion: The Alberta Separation Vote.

| Ian Hanna

According to Angus Reid, three-in-five say Albertans say they would vote to stay in Canada. Perhaps more significantly, just over half say they are confused by the question and 56 percent say Premier Danielle Smith has handled the issue poorly.

Early confusion over a poorly worded question is to be expected. Those numbers may fall over time, with increased engagement. As for cynicism over a Premier’s motivations? Perhaps a harder nut to crack.