It’s enough to give a guy a complex.
When asked to choose words to describe Prime Minister Stephen Harper, respondents to an online survey conducted this month by Angus Reid Public Opinion said he is secretive (45 per cent), arrogant (43 per cent), out of touch (34 per cent), intelligent (34 per cent), uncaring (32 per cent) and boring (30 per cent).
Not that Michael Ignatieff has much to crow about. The same group of people said the Liberal Leader is out of touch (39 per cent), arrogant (37 per cent), boring (36 per cent), intelligent (33 per cent), inefficient (31 per cent) and weak (26 per cent).
New Democrat Leader Jack Layton fared significantly better. Those surveyed said he is intelligent (36 per cent), down to earth (31 per cent), compassionate (31 per cent), honest (28 per cent), open (26 per cent) and out of touch (22 per cent).
Mr. Layton was also the guy that the largest number of respondents said they would like to meet over a beer at the local bar, have as a member of their sports team, or let babysit their kids.
Mr. Ignatieff was picked as the best person to play on a trivia quiz team or to recommend a good book.
Mr. Harper was seen as the best guy on policy matters with a third of all respondents saying they would want him leading the country in the event of a terrorist attack, negotiating with U.S. President Barack Obama on trade and security issues, and dealing with the Russians on Arctic sovereignty.
But almost half of Canadians (48 per cent) said they disapprove of the way Mr. Harper is doing his job.
When asked who they would vote for if an election was held this month, 36 per cent of those surveyed said the Conservatives, 27 per cent said the Liberals, 20 per cent said the New Democrats, 10 per cent said the Bloc Quebecois and seven per cent picked the Greens.
The survey of 2,031 randomly selected Canadian adults who are part of Angus Reid’s online panel, is expected to accurately reflect the opinions of Canadians at large within 2.2 percentage points 19 times in 20.
