Personal magic and magnetic charm … or practical substance. Which choice do you want to have in 2013?

The Victoria Times Colonist has a great opinion / editorial this morning entitled, “Rebuilding trust in politicians” … and with an election in BC just a year and a half away, the comments made are very timely. 

Timely in that our political parties in BC, prior to the next general election, have a chance - and the opportunity - to show us our shaken trust can indeed be restored. 

And why do we need this to happen?  A CBC news story from May 13^th, 2009 gives us the reason right off the bat with this opening paragraph:

Voter turnout in B.C.'s provincial election hit a record low on Tuesday, with , a full eight percentage points less than the 58 per cent that voted in 2005.

That story also went on to say two things that interested me – well actually one annoyed the heck out of me … the other actually came as no surprise:

UBC political science professor Fred Cutler said there were other factors at play, including the two main party leaders' lack of charisma and a lack of clear divisions in their platforms.

Here’s what scares me about that statement … Merriam Webster defines Charisma as follows:
1: a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader)

2: a special magnetic charm or appeal

Personal magic??  Magnetic Charm??