Jeff Leiper would like Ottawa to know something surprising about him: he’s not just a bike guy. He’s also — wait for it — a car guy. In a recent video on X in which he is re-introducing himself to voters, Leiper asks what might surprise people about him. His answer: “I know this is wildly off-brand, but I love to drive.” Political pros call this an inoculation message. The Leiper campaign is trying to vaccinate him against the inevitable line from Mayor Sutcliffe’s campaign team that Leiper’s basically Catherine McKenney — more bike lanes than stick shift. Nothing wrong with a little humanizing content. But Leiper’s progressive base doesn’t need convincing. They’re voting for him anyway. So the target audience is obviously suburban drivers who might be cooling on Sutcliffe and wondering whether Leiper is worth a second look. The message is simple: Relax. I own a car. I’m one of you. I understand congestion. The problem is that most of those voters will never see the video. Leiper’s social media reach is… modest. He returned to X in July 2025 and has 289 followers. He appears far more comfortable on Bluesky. If Leiper really wants suburban voters to believe he’s a car guy, the rule in politics is simple: show, don’t tell. Put him on the track at Calabogie Motorsports Park in a fast car. Invite the cameras. That’s how you re-introduce Ottawa to Jeff Leiper, car guy.