[1] Initially regarded as a supporter of youth and the arts (he had tried to book John Lennon for a concert in 1970), Doern eventually became associated with the more conservative wing of the NDP.
His campaign made some appeals to social conservatism (he strongly opposed any government recognition of gay rights), and was not respected by the party establishment.
[1] He strongly opposed efforts by Premier Howard Pawley to legally entrench French-language services in the province (which he regarded as leading to official bilingualism), and created an organization called Manitoba Grassroots to coordinate opposition to the policy.
He was criticized in Winnipeg Free Press editorials as an opportunistic candidate who had previously shown little interest in municipal issues.
Tory MLA Harry Enns has claimed that he saw Doern wandering aimlessly through the legislative buildings on several occasions during this period.
Doern had stopped taking anti-depressant medication by this time, and was by all accounts distraught by the fact that he had little chance to return to political life.