Rick Mercer Interview On Politics
by Kate Malloy, The Hill Times
Why should the people elect you?
Because I’m fun at parties.
Who would be your closest advisor?
Dad.
What would be your campaign song?
“Raise A Little Hell” by Trooper.
What would be your first act in office?
Well, it’s important to set a tone from day one, so I’d have to go with The War Measures Act. I have a list in my drawer of people I consider enemies of the state, everyone from my Grade 11 math teacher to a number of former cabinet ministers who would be unceremoniously roused from their beds and thrown into a cell never to see the light of day again.
What person would you model yourself on as the leader of Canada?
Robbie Coltrane.
Who would you draft into your first cabinet?
John Crosbie, Laurier LaPierre, Don Cherry, Honest Ed Mirvish, Anne Medina, The Tragically Hip…
What is the greatest problem facing the nation?
Deborah Grey.
What is the greatest problem facing Parliament itself?
Stanley Knowles is gone.
What do you think would be the hardest to change?
Diapers in the Senate.
Name a reason to go to war.
Newfie jokes.
If you could create one law, what would it be?
Beer in the fountains.
What do you think of lobbyists?
Frank Moores is an honest, upstanding citizen and I resent the implication.
What Canadian political jounalist influences you the most?
Charles Lynch.
What would be your favorite prime ministerial perk?
Kickbacks, a justice minister who does what I tell him, and Harrington Lake.
Who would be at the top of your 24 Sussex Drive guest lists?
The arts community of St. John’s, Newfoundland and whoever else could pay the $7 cover.
Who would never get an invitation?
Doug Young.
What living person do you most admire?
Neil Young.
What do you like best about Canadian politics?
Anyone can do it. It’s like T-ball.
What do you like least about Canadian politics?
Political correctness.
How is your acting career like politics?
You show up, you read a TelePrompTer… A monkey could do it.