although he wouldn’t admit it. Not without precedent in Canada. In 1972, Trudeau was polling very badly until the Summit series. The good will and euphoria played right into his patriotic campaign theme. Not only was he re-elected but he stayed in power until 1984. His supporters no doubt found some symbolism in his dying the same year as the man-god Rocket Richard. Theirs were the two biggest state funerals anyone could remember.