Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

John Geddes investigates Justin Trudeau’s literary references.

I once heard a pretty fair speechwriter—Michael Waldman, who used to do the job for President Bill Clinton and is now executive director of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University’s law school—remark that a portentous quotation used too prominently is often the warning sign of a weak speech.

Pat Martin thought he heard echoes of Tommy Douglas in Justin Trudeau’s speech last night.