Businessman and entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary is endorsing Jean Charest for leader of the Conservative Party, arguing Pierre Poilievre "can't win a federal election."."We need to choose the most electable leader to defeat the Trudeau Liberals. Polls may say that Poilievre can win the leadership — but those same polls show that he can’t win a federal election," O'Leary said in an email sent to Charest supporters.."He is too polarizing and divisive. That’s never who Canadians elect in general elections," he said..O'Leary, who previously ran for leader of the Conservatives in 2017, said the "great Canadian regret" is electing Justin Trudeau as prime minister three times. He claimed Canada is the richest country in the world, but is "run by idiots."."When I watch G7 or G20 meetings, I bow my head in shame watching how Trudeau is trashing our reputations and the Canadian brand," O'Leary said.."The rest of the global leaders won’t give him the time of day. They don’t respect him.".O'Leary also questioned why Canada sends "a journalist," to finance meetings, referring to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. "I am a big supporter of transparent journalism, but show me another G7 country that makes one a finance minister," he said..While O'Leary said Canadians shouldn't be content with the Liberals' "mediocrity," he argued electing Poilievre to lead the Conservatives is not the answer..O'Leary said the reason Poilievre has played "such an aggressive game," during the leadership race is because it works on social media.."Nothing gets more 'likes' than telling everyone that you want to shut down the Bank of Canada. Sounds crazy, and it is, but it works on social, particularly for the far-right," he said..But now Poilievre can't take his words back, according to O'Leary, which means his "radical" positions are part of his brand.."This makes it impossible for him to win a majority federal mandate. He did it to himself," O'Leary said. "He broke the golden rule: never put out there what you don’t want to own for the rest of your life.".O'Leary implored Conservatives to cast their votes strategically, claiming that Charest represents the "middle and the majority." He claimed the former Quebec premier will get votes from Liberals who are tired of Trudeau's "lack of executional skills," and will be able to win over 50 seats in Quebec that could give Conservatives a majority government.."You want Canada to punch above its weight? We need to hire better managers. That starts by putting Charest in the driver’s seat."
