Dominicans turned up in large numbers and filled the Progress Church in Toronto to capacity and many had to stand, as an enthusiastic crowd of Dominicans welcome Opposition leader and UWP Leader Lennox Linton with a rousing ovation on Saturday 13th April. Teddy Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States once said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
Throughout history, there have been many leaders who were renowned for their charisma, soaring rhetoric and populist appeal. They offered platitudes and promises. But sadly, their rhetoric did not always lead to results, which is the ultimate barometer by which a leader should be judged. For the past five years, detractors have been alleging and sometimes even made overt complaints to the effect that leader of the opposition Honorable Lennox Linton is anti-social. Those detractors say his failure to “smile” and “say hello” is troubling. The question then is: Who is this man? After all, his radio personality projects an image of a bubbly, outspoken, endearing and assertive individual. Some in the audience in Toronto said Linton is an intriguing man. His patriotism and passion for developing Dominica has endeared him to the masses. Others recall that his weekly talk show — “Between You and Me” — helped to inform the public as he effectively played the role of his country’s de facto ombudsman, that he is forthright, honest, inspiring, humorous, kind and candid. Yet he seems to be branded negative, as being an introvert. Some believe “introvert” is tantamount to being aloof or even weird. However, Linton does not fit any of those descriptions. He is not arrogant, shy or antisocial. Instead, he is an observer, a listener and is reserved. That is in fact his personality, it would be unfair and farfetched to suggest that an introvert should be excluded or disqualified from holding public office. Yet others deemed that Linton exuded calmness and integrity, in fulfilling his role as the honorable opposition leader. Some argued that Dominica’s current situation warrants a level-headed leader, who can be a pragmatist and a reassuring presence amidst turmoil, and that history proved many times that charm, and charisma can be entertaining, but those two qualities are often utilized to mask deception.
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