It's pretty much old news by the time I write this that Helena Guergis "resigned" from her cabinet post and subsequently exiled from the Conservative Caucus to the cheap seats in the House of Commons.
If there is any object lesson out of this and there are a few, one politicians are a certain breed, I have observed them studying political science at university many years ago and up close more recently. Helena did not have that particular mojo to get right to the top of the heap.
That magic mojo I am talking about is a gregarious personality, coupled with a sharp mind and grace under pressure when the brown mushy stuff hits the wall. Well a lot of that happened in the past few weeks. I don't know her personally thankfully, media reports paint Helena as a special (read: haughty and prickly) personality and the meltdown at Charlottetown Airport displayed a very unflattering side to her.
The next lesson Helena should learn about is who you get into bed with, her husband former Edmonton MP Rahim Jaffer damaged her political career, with drunk driving and drug possession charges along with the attempt to sell access to the Prime Minister's Office. Unlikely because Rahim lost is Edmonton riding in the 2008, a safe Conservative seat I might add because he spent way too much time with Helena instead of sticking to his knitting. Losing a safe riding does not win friends in the PMO. Allegations of conducting personal business through Helena's office is not good for the reputation. So take away lesson, you want a life partner who is in your corner for better or worse, not be there for themselves.
The final lesson is an old one,"The people you meet on the way up are the same people you run into again on the way down."
Throughout my career I realized the people who hold the real power are the executive assistants and receptionists, I make a point of making friends with them. Why? The assistants and receptionists control access and information that can work for you if you are a mensch or against you if you are a tool. It also helps to build relationships with outside vendors, peers in the field because one day you're going to need those relationships.
Helena had a reputation of not being nice to her constituency office staff, bills did not get paid, I get the impression that riding office was not a joy to work in. I doubt Helena will get a glowing reference from her staff when she is back on the job market.
Thing is Helena didn't burn her bridges, she dropped a Hydrogen bomb on them.
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