" Gasbags that are long on rhetoric and short on concrete solutions appeal to the masses but have no real staying power, since their positions and policies are largely based on emotion and illusion."

Funny; if there were a dictionary listing for the above quote, it would have a picture of trudeau next to it... largely based on emotion and illusion?  oh heck yes.

And I disagree that "the world political stage seems to be especially kind to wingnuts right now." (by wingnuts, one presumes that is just a weak insult meaning rightwingers...) 

The world political stage may be honoring their election wins around the globe (we call that "Democracy") but they are barely working with them let alone being kind (see Obama&Trudeau's veiled threats in attempts to derail Brexit) .