Frankly, I didn't know kid Paiken was even running. And in Steel-town, yet, land of beer drinkin', suspenders, and heavy boots. One could make jokes, but they would probably be homophobic.
A little bit. Obviously calling for Liberals to rally around a leader that hasn't been elected yet is putting cart before horse. But this paragraph is OK:
Also, the point about having a leader young enough to lead the party through several elections is a good one. So, maybe 1 1/2 paragraphs in 12 rise above crap. But I would hesitate to blow the kid off too thoroughly. He may be PM one day, and he'll need senators.