Michael Ignatieff urges Canadians to ‘rise up’

In 2008 then-presidential candidate Barack Obama unveiled a slogan that would accompany him all the way to the White House.

The slogan “yes we can” became synonymous with Obama’s campaign that helped mobilize the youth vote and utilized social media in a way never seen before in American politics.

On Friday at a campaign stop in Sudbury, Ontario Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff had his own mobilizing moment with a slogan that is resonating with many of his supporters.

The Liberal leader, often criticized for having an elitist manner, received a standing ovation after invoking the name of Bruce Springsteen.

Ignatieff quoted the refrain, "Rise up" from Springsteen’s song "My city’s in ruins."

Ignatieff said it held special meaning for him, citing a litany of grievances against Prime Minister Stephen Harper – the fact he shut down Parliament twice and was cited for contempt of Parliament among them.

Video: Global National’s Shirlee Engel speaks to Liberal supporters at a campaign stop about Ignatieff’s new slogan

He led the cheering crowd into a chant of "rise up, rise up" as Springsteen’s song played in the background.

"This is about our democracy! Rise up! Rise up!" Ignatieff yelled.

“With that "Rise up" comment he got the whole room on their feet. I’m gonna go ahead and guess he’ll try that line again,” tweeted Global National reporter Shirlee Engel.

Ignatieff has done just that. It seems apparent that the Springsteen reference will accompany Ignatieff through the remainder of the election campaign.

But the question now among Liberal supporters is whether chanting “rise up” will translate into rising fortunes at the polls.

With files from The Canadian Press