Thursday, May 14, 2009 2:12 PM
Ignatieff.me
Tim Powers
The Conservative Party contrast, ok, negative, ads are out. If attention is a measure of success then they achieved that on Day 1 with numerous stories reprinting or broadcasting them. Even this fine paper ran a front-page story on Ignatieff.me .
Personally, I think the ads are somewhat humorous and by all means they are fair game. Iggy has sold himself as a man of vision and deep thought. There is absolutely nothing wrong with examining his musings. My favorite was his C-Span interview in 2004, just before he returned to Canada, where he talked about America being his country.
Like Iggy I have studied overseas and found it to be a great experience. Frankly, I think the more people who do it the better as it does broaden your horizons. Unlike Iggy, though, I did not hide my Canadian or Newfoundland identities. In fact, when living in Britain I took great pleasure in egging on my old imperialist masters about their adventures in my colony. Though I did always find time to take a bathroom break near Whitehall (home of the British Foreign Office) when jogging or in my case trundling along the Thames. Old habits die hard. God Save the Queen.
The Liberals response to the Ignatieff.me campaign was rather predictable, in fact, they played to type. Rocco Rossi, the colorful and decent National Director of the Liberal Party, sent out an e-mail missive to supporters which read - "Be part of a new politics - Fight back against Conservative attack ads." Yes, of course, the lofty Michael and gang are about a new politics. Heard that refrain before. This is the same Liberal Party who within in eight weeks of Stephen Harper being elected leader of the Conservative Party launched a virulent strain of nastiness, in the form of ads, against him.
Rocco's renegades of the polite political revolution are the same bunch that have been running internet blasts at the PM for months. Perhaps it is a new form of politics if you sip chardonnay nibble on some brie and then push the send button to launch a viral smack down.
Frankly, tough ads are a part of politics. All parties use them. The faux "we are so offended" put-on by all parties when they are fired upon by their opponents is just nonsensical and voters see that for what it is - stupid.
That said, I hope I have not upset any of my friends in the OLO as they enjoy their afternoon tea and crumpets on their best china. I have some 800-thread napkins I can send over if they like.
