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A less partisan, more moderate PM?

BRIAN LAGHI

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:24 AM EST 14/02/08

Experts suggest Stephen Harper is changing his behaviour to deal with what they think is his electoral Achilles heel ...Read the full article

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  1. Michael Sharp from Crocus-Daffodilville, Canada writes:

    Who's your daddy?

    Vote CPC.
  2. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: A snake might be able to change its skin, but can a leopard really change his spots???
  3. David Blott from Dartmouth, NS, Canada writes:

    Harper's new statesmanlike and reconciliatory attitude is nothing new, it is exactly how he sold himself in the last election. And the day the election was over he reverted to kind - with a dislike of anyone who questioned or disagreed with him and a pathological hatred of Liberals.

    What we are in fact being treated to is another display of Harper's contempt for Canadians. He obviously believes that, given his style of governing over the past two years, Canadians are stupid enough to believe that he is suddenly a changed man.
  4. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Harper has to show respect for his opponents in the way he answers questions while at the same time demolishing them with the strength of his rationale. A respectful answer to a nasty question will always gain respect for the answere. Peter VanLoan needs to learn the same tactic. Always bow before and after the killing throw. Parliamentary jiu-jitsu is something all MP's need to be taught. Oh, and the H of C should get rid of that self-serving clown of a Speaker, Milliken, who does not know the difference between order and chaos. Parliament is supposed to deliver peace order and good government, and they all depend on good government, order and peace in the House, which is Milliken's responsibility, which he is sadly neglecting while he revels in his role of running the federal legislature as if he is a big pooh-bah. Meanwhile Canada suffers fom his lack of work ethics. Milliken should be called in front of the Ethics Committee to explain why he is not enforcing the Rules of Parliament.
  5. Always have an opinion? May Be!! from Toronto, Canada writes: One cannot please every one all the time.
    I hope he does not become like nice Mr. Martin, the ditherer, trying to do that.
    Which Tory insiders, Brian Laghi was talking to, who were criticizing their leader to the media?
    Actually, the general public does not give a hoot, how he treats the self-important media, as long as he is doing the job and keeping the promises
    made at election time.
    When one watches the question period, one notices, Harper and VanLone give back as good as they get.
    Civility works both ways.
  6. Orest Zarowsky from Toronto, Canada writes: Pull the other one. It's got bells on it.
  7. Where are they now ? from Toronto, Canada writes: Once a control freak, always a control freak.
  8. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: For those who think that Mr. Harper's flaw is simply not being nice... It's far more than that...

    Take the Atlantic Accord example...

    Federal budget 2007 clearly altered this signed agreement between the Federal government and two provinces...

    Harper pretends that his government didn't alter anything, gets his Party people to repeatedly say 'promise made, promise kept,' Flaherty writes opeds to the Chronicle Herald in Halifax saying that any changes are just an 'urban myth' and then Harper threatens to take the two Provinces to court...

    Further, Harper appoints Patt Binns to the Canadian Embassy in Ireland shortly after Mr. Binns testifies in front of the Senate on how good the budget was for PEI even though PEI lost $200 million because of it...

    Then, Harper quietly signs a backroom side deal with Premier MacDonald of NS to correct some of the changes that Federal budget 2007 imparted on the Atlantic Accord -- which, of course, was never changed in the first place according to Harper...

    Does Mr. Harper think that all Canadians are idiots?
  9. Mei-Xing Xu from Canada writes: It will be hard for harper to shake his image as a stooge of the Americans, a man with a hidden agenda, total control freak , and someone that appears scary to many like the 63.7% that did not vote for him.
  10. Mei-Xing Xu from Canada writes: But worse for harper will be shaking the image of being a flip flopper that chronically lies to the Canadian public.
  11. F E from Ottawa, Canada writes: Harper is a wolf in sheep's clothing, he has a minority so you won't see his true character. Trust me, you don't want an oppurtunity to see his true character, he wasn't a former leader of the right wing radical reform party for nothing. I'm a conservative but I'll never vote CPC with him as leader. Don't let him fool you.
  12. Linda Dial from Calgary, Canada writes: This is just some kind of act. I don't buy the new Harp bill of goods.
  13. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: Oh please, it is just desperate ploy to remain in power.
  14. janfromthe bruce from Canada writes: Just an actor on the stage, and personally find him mean spirited and vindictive. Biggest lie going, our govt will operate on the principals of accountability, integrity, and honesty. That tells it all.
  15. J. Douglas from Burlington, Canada writes: This is the Harper we saw during the last election. I remember thinking at the time that he wasn't as partisan and nasty as I had previously thought. I had hope for him. However, it didn't take long after the election before he reverted to his true self. The fact that he is once again acting concilliatory simply means they are about to engineer the fall of the government and another election. Do not ever give this man a majority.
  16. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: '... People are always put off by partisanship. [But] the partisans like it.'

    Unfortunately, to partisan political supporters, this is news.

    I never found Harper to be 'too right-wing', but I do agree with the too partisan assessment. Unfortunately, the only time he seems to taper it is when there's an election on the horizon.

    I want our country to have a leader, not some bitter little child screaming crude insults at anyone who dares to disagree with him... and yes, for those partisans out there, that is EXACTLY what you look like. Consider that the next time you think you're saying something witty.
  17. Geoffrey May from Canada writes: Harper has demonstrated extreme partisanship, hypocracy,and dishonesty.
    He has also demonstrated an inability to understand science , and our sytem of government, and a very limited politacal agenda , unable to deal with any issues he didn't script.
    And he's controlling and mean.
    Probably the worste Prime Minster in Canadian history.
    Any change to this is good, a change of PM will be even better
  18. J Law from Canada writes: Geoffrey May from Canada

    How long have you known and been personal friends with Mr. Harper?
  19. David Linton from Canada writes: Hands down Harper is the best Prime Minister Canada has ever produced, keep up the great work Mr. Harper.
  20. garry heaps from he likes wearing makeup... no really, Canada writes: fool me once. shame on you. fool me twice. shame on me. that sums up my take on steve.
  21. Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: Harper is a fool who has alienated his base by swinging so far to the Left recently, and who will not garner enough new votes in an election due to the fact that the Majority of Canadians don't trust him. The unthinking partisans will vote for him, of course, and bleat out their pride in doing so.

    Partisanship - The lowest form of intelligence.
  22. Vern McPherson from writes: Watch the oracle morph into a lizard man to get the reptile vote..............
  23. Anuradha Bose from ottawa, writes: Being flexible is not a crime-dithering is..
  24. Vern McPherson from writes: The multi-faced crud would a$$kiss his way to any political opportunity that fulfills his personal quest for the supreme commander job.

    'I know what's best for you so do what I say' is the motto of a double-speak, multifaced, triple tongued political cameleon. He changes policy as easy as he alters his farcial, facial make-up

    With the newly appointed COns CEO at the Canadian Mint I am surprised harper's sayings are not already appearing on our coins.

    Every Canadian knows this including the paid pompom girls here...

    .........and it's dusgusting..........
  25. The Duffster from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes:

    'Watch the oracle morph into a lizard man to get the reptile vote..............'

    Watch Dion to morph into the good shepherd to get the sheep vote!

    Oh wait, he already has that!
  26. Vern McPherson from writes: Duffy, Mr. Dion is not a liar and even you know that much.......
  27. Earl Anthony from Sudbury, Canada writes: You folks are sure sucked in by media.

    Harper has united the Reform party by bringing back into the fold Manning and Day supporters, the Strahl dissidents, the McKay PC's and led the longest running minority government in Canada's history. That is not the bio of an autocrat but one who can find consensus and conciliation.
  28. Linda Price from Canada writes:

    Michael Sharp: Anything to win, eh? - even misrepresenting your character to Canadians.

    And you like it - how do you like it from the back?
  29. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: Watch the oracle morph into a lizard man to get the reptile vote.

    Vern, reptiles are not allowed to vote in Canada. Actually, reptiles are not allowed to vote anywhere in the world. Just people. I thought you would know that Vern.

    Harper is a very smart political player. He has spent the first six months of Dion's leadership painting him as a bad leader. Harper spent the next six months proving it as Dion flipped, abstained and showed no direction.

    Now Harper is playing nice to secure the female vote. The Liberals know that Harper will defeat them and you see the Liberals backing off on their election talk.

    Harper controls what the Liberals do, when they will do it and what the outcome will be. It must be humiliating for the Liberal supporters to watch their party be led by Harper and not Dion.
  30. P. Pobega from Canada writes:
    Never give Harper keys to an F18.

    He will change his colour to suit himself.

    SCARY, VERY SCARY!!
  31. garlick toast from Canada writes: what's next,making up to danny williams and bill casey?it took him two yrs.to understand what the polls have been indicating- 30% is not a majority.
  32. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Vern McPherson : Shawn you are another oracle pompom girl.

    I'm a guy. Wrong again Vern. Your not having a good day Vern. Posts full of incorrect information. Supporting a political party that is being led by Harper and not Dion.

    Look on the bright side Vern. A Canada led by Harper is good for all Canadians.
  33. Vern McPherson from writes: Think the oracle doesn't blatantly lie as easy as he takes a breath ? Read what he said here:

    'This party will not take its position based on public opinion polls. We will not take a stand based on focus groups. We will not take a stand based on phone-in shows or householder surveys or any other vagaries of pubic opinion. '

    Now read this about the facts concerning government polling:

    'Investigator hired by government takes swipe at Tory polling practices
    Glen McGregor, The Ottawa Citizen
    Published: Friday, December 14, 2007
    An investigation commissioned by the Harper government into polling contracts issued by past Liberal governments has shown the current Conservative government itself performs an 'astounding' number of public-opinion research projects. The report comes from independent adviser Daniel Paille, a former Parti Québécois cabinet minister who was asked by the Tories in April to study whether a public inquiry into polling conducted between 1990 and 2003 was required.

    http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=e3023394-629a-4a7c-afd8-5c2093d91aae

    Well ?

  34. James Tod from VancouverAbbotsford, Canada writes: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
  35. M Lafrance from Ottawa, Canada writes: Vern, the only people who think Harper is too right-wing are the too left-wing partisan hacks.
  36. M j from Canada writes: I'm also uncomfortable with Harper being so fat. It remarks on his weak character and is slap in the face to hungry Canadian children. Do you think we can convince him to lose 10 kilos? For the children?
  37. Vern McPherson from writes: You are a guy are you Shawn ? LOL !!!

    Then why the pompoms ? bejeeeeeepers you are too stund to understand much aren't you.

    Now switch pompoms with michael sharpe.
  38. Stan L from Canada writes: Shawn Bull from Canada writes: ........Harper is a very smart political player. He has spent the first six months of Dion's leadership painting him as a bad leader. Harper spent the next six months proving it as Dion flipped, abstained and showed no direction.

    Now Harper is playing nice to secure the female vote......

    Shawn, sorry to break it to you that is not a good poltician....a good liar, a good maniulator and good psychopath, maybe.......but a good politican doesn't need tricks and schemes and keeping their perceived enemy in check AND a good politican would have been perceived as such from his actions, not from his gamesmanship......In fact I want his salary back into the public coffers because he has spent far too much time strategizing rather than running the country....he is a power hundry fraud and nothing more and people are beginning to notice. And as far as the female vote......dream on, every poll indicates that females are his biggest problem....the fact is their instincts for knowing when a guy is a creep seem to be spot on.......No amount of cajoling will change perception of him (even if he muzzles Van Loon, who is partically responsible for how his government is perceived) You only have once to make a first impression.
  39. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: bejeeeeeepers you are too stund to understand much aren't you.

    It's 'Stunned' not 'Stund'. Another incorrect post Vern. Not a good day for you.

    I am going to go back to see what Harper has to say today. It's important because Harper is the one dictating to the Liberals what they should do and how they should do it. Somebody has to since Dion has proven incappable.

    Vern, have a safe and happy day today.
  40. Raymond S from The West, Canada writes: David Linton: Ditto.
  41. Brian Sexsmith from Toronto, Canada writes: Harper can trowel on all the make-up and lipstick he wants but he will never be able to convince all Canadians that he is no longer the controlling, dictatorial thug he has always been.

    He will cow-tow to anybody he thinks may be able to secure him more votes so it's no wonder he will give Hargrove a moment of his time. But to imply that he now supports unions is laughable - it's a cheap ploy.
  42. Jesse Winger from Calgary Southwest, Canada writes: Mean Mr. Harper changing his stripes? Is it even possible?

    We'll wait and see about that!!!!
  43. Trillian Rand from Canada writes: On the other hand, his actions might show he is tired of the gamesmanship and fighting. Simply, he might be weary.

    After all, things haven't gone well from the start. What had looked like a sure majority with the Liberals suffering under the adscam fiasco turned out to be a minority government. Afghanistan looked like a good idea at the time, but look how that's turned out. The environment portfolio has been one annoyance after another. The government's reversal on income trusts proved to be a public relations bother.

    And on it goes. Despite his best efforts, despite the application of all his efforts, despite his unwavering belief in his philosophy, Mr Harper finds himself thwarted at almost every turn. Some days it must seem he can do nothing right.

    Who would want to continue when their efforts are either unappreciated or misunderstood? Certain personality types come to mind, none of them flattering. As the song says, "You've got to know when to hold then, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run."

    I suspect Mr Harper is considering a brisk walk.
  44. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Pardon me while I retch - Harper nice? Balls.
  45. P Conner from toronto, Canada writes: A less wolfish more sheepish PM? I'd like him to stay away from my grandmother nonetheless.
  46. Go Oilers Go! from Canada writes: The LPC should be worried.

    It takes time for every new gov't to find there way. The Libs were terrible the first couple of years under Chretien.

    The Conservatives have certainly made mistakes in their first two years; some policy based and others merely in the optics and tone they use.

    Just like the Liberals though they are improving which is bad news for Dion.

    You see Dion and the Liberals don't actually have anything to vote for. Any support they have is essentially people who don't like Harper. That doesn't create a solid base of support and if Harper and his crew can modify their tune the Libs are finished and Dion can go back to grading papers.
  47. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault, Canada writes: Remember that the version of Harper we've been seeing for the past two years was an "evolved" version. Even with the last evolution all he got was a weak minority.

    The only possibility of getting a majority is in not letting the real Harper show its face. They know that the problem is and that problem is Harper's personality. So if he has to fake it for a few months it will all be worth it.

    It's all a charade - beneath he is still the bitter, hateful, divisive, gutter politician he's always been. But if he's counting on fooling enough people. Hopefully Canada will see through the deception. Make no mistake - every move Harper makes has a larger element of deception.
  48. D G from Canada writes: lol - it's taken this supposedly "brilliant" politician 2 years to figure out that being mean, vindictive, spiteful, arrogant, petty, non-transparent, bullying, divisive, untruthful, ultra partisan and uber-control freakish wasn't ever going to win him alot of votes.

    Being nice and conciliatory must be a bitter pill for him to swallow.
  49. The World Is Mad from Hamiltonia, Canada writes: For a government which would not allow its meteorologists to release weather information recently to Canadians without it going through the censor's office, there must be an election coming!
  50. Stan L from Canada writes: Actuallly this IS pretty funny stuff....the so-called poltical brillinat strategist has figured out (even with his Christian background) that he should be nice to people and that you get further by doing that? Wow what a revelation......in future if I have a probelm with his 'style' of leadership should I call his psychic directly or just have Mr Soudas take care of it.
  51. Travlaki Souvlaki from Vancouver, Canada writes: A pathetic charade. The guy's been a brutal partisan bully, a beast really, for the last 2 years. He sees an election looming, possibly in the coming weeks, and now he's all sugar and spice. Who, aside from his own stupid partisans (read: most of the province of Alberta), does he think will fall for this?
  52. Jesse Winger from Calgary Southwest, Canada writes: PM Harper, Minister Baird and the Conservatives have declared war on science. How else can you describe their utterly useless environmental policies that fail to protect the habitat of endangered species - such as the Sage Grouse in southern Alberta? Harper is mean, as well as heartless.

    It's a deeply personal war, too. At a recent function on Parliament Hill to honour a group of Canadian scientists who won the Nobel Prize for their work on global warming, not one member of the Government cabinet or the PM bothers to show up!

    The Conservatives have declared war on science.
  53. Gill Bates from Wroxton SK, Canada writes: His advisors were correct.... the Conservatives, beginning with Harper and his cronies, Baird and Van Loon, are nasty and vindictive. If you disagree with them they question your patriotism, or say you're a Taliban supporter. I don't think for a moment any quick paint job will change their basic nature.
  54. Hans S from Toronto, Canada writes: It's Valentine's Day today, not April Fool's Day.
  55. Anne Peterson from Canada writes:
    Great Prime Ministers don't put their country's soldiers out on a limb without a chance to get back in. This is called bad decision making and poor planning. Proof you can be decisive and short sighted at the same time.

    Pity the poor Liberals where you can present differing opinions and not be treated like a bad little school boy?
  56. Interestd Observer from Canada writes: Jesse Winger.....Did you know that the increase in the amount of coal china is going to burn between now and 2020 will send as much C02 into the atmosphere as 3 Billion Ford Expeditions, driving an avg. of 15,000 miles a year. Thats right the increase in burning of one source of energy by one country is equal to 3 billion giant suvs. At its current pace it would take Ford 15,000 years to sell that many SUV's.

    Kyoto doesn't work without China and India!!!
  57. Vern McPherson from writes: Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: bejeeeeeepers you are too stund to understand much aren't you.
    It's 'Stunned' not 'Stund'. Another incorrect post Vern. Not a good day for you.

    ------------------------------------------------------------

    In the part of the country I come from shawn you are indeed "stund". No, it doesn't referr to what you do to cattle just before slicing their jugulars openat the abbatior.

    It references individuals who are so thickhesded and so backwardly deliberately ignorant there is literally no hope for them.

    stund.
  58. Anne Peterson from Canada writes:
    Oh, Yes. The government has sneakily fired it's National Science Advisor. If you don't like the facts, fire the people who tell them to you. Now that's a good prime ministerial strategy, isn't it? Guess he wasn't flat earth enough.
  59. Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: Well, that's welcome news. It's the thing I hated most about Harper. If he actually tries to govern, incorporates comprise, and manages the country instead of controlling it, that would greatly improve my picture of Harper
  60. Still Learning at 77 from Canada writes: I do not trust Control Freak Harper.
  61. Joe Canada from Kingston, Canada writes: Mei-Xing Xu from Canada writes: It will be hard for harper to shake his image as a stooge of the Americans, a man with a hidden agenda, total control freak , and someone that appears scary to many like the 63.7% that did not vote for him.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    So it will be hard for Harper to shake the LPC election platform? Fortunately Canadians see that crap for what it is, an LPC campaign of fear.
  62. Vern McPherson from writes: A little extra make-up from the publically financed astrologer stevie employs will not alter the real essence of what and who he is.
  63. Jesse Winger from Calgary Southwest, Canada writes: Anne Peterson from Canada writes:
    "Oh, Yes. The government has sneakily fired it's National Science Advisor. If you don't like the facts, fire the people who tell them to you. Now that's a good prime ministerial strategy, isn't it? Guess he wasn't flat earth enough."

    Good point, Anne. They will muzzle anyone within their reach who doesn't goose-step like a good Harper Conservative should.
  64. Travlaki Souvlaki from Vancouver, Canada writes: Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: "If he actually tries to govern, incorporates comprise, and manages the country instead of controlling it..."

    That's the problem... he won't do any of the above, but he'll try to convince people that he is doing it anyway. Stephen Harper appears to be biologically disinclined toward acting like a decent human being. No amount of image coaching will ever change that.
  65. Erik D. from Ottawa, Canada writes: When Harper demuzzles his MPs then he's changed, until then, its just Harper trying on a new dress.
  66. The Duffster from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: "Duffy, Mr. Dion is not a liar and even you know that much......."

    That's only because he hasn't been elected as PM yet Vernie!

    :-)
  67. Emperor Joshua Norton from Toronto, Canada writes: Shawn Bull - I think you may be the only one on this thread that thinks Harper is a good person. Of course the Liberal and NDP supporters are going to bash Harper, but even the ones who are going to vote CPC (like Go Oilers Go and Mike "from Hedy Fry-land" Sharp) don't say anything nice about Harper. The justify they future votes by how much they don't like Dion (an understandable position - one I would share if it didn't mean voting for a patronage appointment).
  68. Emperor Joshua Norton from Toronto, Canada writes: Shawn Bull - I'll say it again, replace Harper with a real conservative and sit back as the back-to-back-to-back CPC majorities roll in.
  69. D G from Canada writes: So the Duffster just said that as soon as someone gets elected PM they become liars.

    Thanks Duffster for helping to backup what so many of us already know about Harper!
  70. Dick Nails from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: Watch the oracle morph into a lizard man to get the reptile vote..............

    >> Kyoto, the dog, not the city, has yours eh, Vern? Do you swap fleas with Kyoto too?

    Oracle? Please, Vern, get a new doctor. What the last one gave you to gulp every day, to try and keep you out of jail, is just not working any more. And just upping the dosage won't do fix your problem.
  71. G. Veneta from Calgary, Canada writes: Junk journalism at best. What a farce. Anyone that knows Harper knows the real Harper and you don't change 48 years of an antagonistic personality over night.

    What an absolute joke. Keep drinking the koolaid dim ones. LOL. What a joke.

    Frankly, it's not his nasty personality that is as offensive as his short sighted policies driven by a quest for unfettered power rather than what is good for the country and all Canadians. He has contempt for Canadians and Canada period. In my opinion his goal is to end the federation for an integration into the US. Too bad the dems won't want us.

    Your days are over. Right wing extremists are so last century. Harper will take his place with Howard and Bush.
  72. BCer in Mtl . from Canada writes: Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Harper has to show respect for his opponents in the way he answers questions while at the same time demolishing them with the strength of his rationale. A respectful answer to a nasty question will always gain respect for the answere. Peter VanLoan needs to learn the same tactic.

    LOL . . . the only thing I would think Van Loan can demolish is a bacon double cheesburger, from all appearances. I kind of think of him as Randy to Harpo's Mr Leahy. Mind you, you could say that VL has a strong field of competition from Harpo himself, Baird and Kenny . . . maybe they should hold one of those hot-dog eating contests. Would make a good fundraiser. Either that or they could make a Sumo wrestling team.
  73. Mike Z from Saskatoon, Canada writes: Harper is not perfect, but is a good sight better than anyone else on the horizon. Our other options are: Dion the incompetent, Layton the far-left with ideas that make him unelectable anywhere, or May the zero seat party leader?

    The only thing the Liberals could do that would actually threaten the Conservatives would be dumping Dion and electing a real leader. I suspect that Iggy, Kennedy, or even Rae would have made more formidable leaders.

    And to Anne Peterson -- the Liberals aren't "presenting differing opinions" they are allowing any Liberal in front of a mic to present what is taken as the opinion of the Liberal Party. That is not "diversity" that is multiple personality disorder, and it is not healthy in any organization. Ever heard of the phrase "too many cooks in the kitchen"?
  74. Pablo W from Mid Ontario, Canada writes: PMO office must have hired someone who's head isn't up some ones you know what.
    They are getting ready for an election, time to bring out the nice guy image. Fool us once but not twice
  75. erich finchley from Toronto, Canada writes: Peter Donolo is an ex-Chretien hack. Any polls or opinions he offers should be seen in that light.
  76. G. Veneta from Calgary, Canada writes: Michael Sharp --always the first poster.

    We KNOW WHO YOUR 'DADDY' IS. Nice of you to agree that all you pom pom girls are subservient to and worship your 'daddy'. No mind of your own that is clear.

    Sad these cult followers. Harper's loyalty is to himself only and loyalty to his base is fluid, only loyal until he has what he needs. He's the ultimate pathological narcissist with a deluded image of grandeur that one has to wonder how such a nerd could have.

    Toss the bully and move Canada forward. Fight this war on science of these nutbars. These guys are not conservatives they are nucon nutbars.
  77. Seb D from Ottawa, Canada writes: Changing your direction based on public opinion polls. When the Liberals were doing it, it was called "flip-flopping". Now it's OK, I guess.

    Personally, I would call it "democracy", regardless of who's doing it, but that's just me.

    Now whether you believe what one party or the other is selling you is a different story...
  78. Stan L from Canada writes: Mike Z from Saskatoon, Canada writes: Harper is not perfect, but is a good sight better than anyone else on the horizon. Our other options are: Dion the incompetent, Layton the far-left with ideas that make him unelectable anywhere, or May the zero seat party leader?

    Mike Z...a valid point IF a) you belive that Harper's talents are indeed indicative of the best AND b) that a party is made up of only a leader....Clearly Harper is finding out that he cannot be a one-man show and that he needs to trust in his team without micromanaging problem is, he can't....the performance of his team is less than stellar (save for Jim Prentice). Given the option the Liberals are the best 'team' available, pound for pound they have the best combination of experience and know-how.....and i would refute that Dion is incompetant, I would say however, that you might be right....but he needs to be tested as people are unsure(Harper has had that opportunity when people were uncertain, and has failed)
  79. Dave Jansen from Canada writes: Go Oilers Go! from Canada writes: "The Conservatives have certainly made mistakes in their first two years"

    Finally - you're being realistic and honest! Congrats!!
  80. Jen Dobson from Canada writes: Harper has already shown his true colours time and time again. If he thinks Canadians are stupid enough to be fooled by him anymore he is sorely mistaken.

    Sorry Harper - we're too smart for you. We see you for who you are, and we don't like it.
  81. The Duffster from Canada writes: G. Veneta from Calgary, Canada writes: "Michael Sharp --always the first poster.

    We KNOW WHO YOUR 'DADDY' IS. Nice of you to agree that all you pom pom girls are subservient to and worship your 'daddy'."

    So tell us then genius - what is the differnece between Cons who fit the above description and LPC sheep who do as well?

    If you can do this without some holier-than-thou arrogant partisan slant you might convonce us to see the light!
  82. Emperor Joshua Norton from Toronto, Canada writes: The Duffster - there is little difference between Liberal sheep and Cons sheep. That may be why party shepards are so cynical - they know they are hindering the democratic process for money. The irony that the sheep don't quite grasp is that the shepards from different parties are usually on good terms with each other and they move back and forth a lot. When Martin took over the LPC, a lot of Chretien shepards went to work for Harper.

    It's funny that Mike Sharp is obeying one of Chretien's insiders.
  83. Erik D. from Ottawa, Canada writes: To Emperor Joshua Norton: Yes, politics is indeed similar to the World Wrestling Federation, both put on a big show to sell to the public, both have fans who actually believe the show is real.
  84. Go Oilers Go! from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from writes: Duffy, Mr. Dion is not a liar and even you know that much.......

    Total bullsh*t.

    While campaigning for the Liberal leadership Dion said he would not support a carbon tax. He reiterated that statement when he toured Alberta a year ago.

    A month later Mark Holland came to Alberta threatening to nationalize the oil and gas industry and Dion changed his tune to supporting a carbon tax.

    Dion promised to force an election if his 4 demands were not met in Flaherty's mini-budget in the fall. No demands met and no election.

    The truth is Dion lies like any other politician and simply says what he thinks people want to hear.

    The only Dion and the Liberals are concerned with is getting their snouts back in the trough. Dion will say whatever and lie about anything in order to achieve power.
  85. Wall Flower from Canada writes: This Harper "transformation" will only work if the media helps him like they did in the last election.
  86. Go Oilers Go! from Canada writes: Dave Jansen from Canada writes: Go Oilers Go! from Canada writes: "The Conservatives have certainly made mistakes in their first two years"

    Finally - you're being realistic and honest! Congrats!!

    Dave I've never said the Conservatives haven't made mistakes; I simply hate Harper and the Conservatives less than I hate the Liberals, NDP and the rest of the socialist garbage we have for political parties.

    Harper and the Conservatives are the closest thing Canada has to a fiscally conservative party...and they certainly have drifted the wrong way.

    They are essentially a means to end to prevent the Liberals from being in power.
  87. Wall Flower from Canada writes: "Harper and the Conservatives are the closest thing Canada has to a fiscally conservative party...and they certainly have drifted the wrong way."

    Oilers, they didn't just drift the wrong way. They surpassed the Liberals in their spending. If fiscally responsible behavior is what is important for you, then why on earth would you support a govt that has squandered away in two years Canada's economic advantage?!?!
  88. The Duffster from Canada writes: Wall Flower from Canada writes:

    "Oilers, they didn't just drift the wrong way. They surpassed the Liberals in their spending. If fiscally responsible behavior is what is important for you, then why on earth would you support a govt that has squandered away in two years Canada's economic advantage?!?!"

    ...and they have said the upcoming budget will reflect any slowdown.

    You complained when they spent, and you'll complain when they don't - which goes to show the Lib hacks couldn't take a stance if their lives depended on it.
  89. Mr X from Canada writes: "He's learned that a lot of Canadians are uncomfortable about him being too partisan, too controlling, too right-wing, and he's trying to moderate that,"

    I believe this is more how the media portays him than the way he really is.

    "David Blott from Dartmouth, NS, Canada writes: .... with a dislike of anyone who questioned or disagreed with him and a pathological hatred of Liberals.... What we are in fact being treated to is another display of Harper's contempt for Canadians. "

    The kettle calling the pot black..... Do you really think people run for politics because they have contempt for Canadians? Boy you are freaking BRAINWASHED.
  90. Wall Flower from Canada writes: "and they have said the upcoming budget will reflect any slowdown.

    You complained when they spent, and you'll complain when they don't - which goes to show the Lib hacks couldn't take a stance if their lives depended on it. "

    Get a clue Duffster. The upcoming budget isn't going to be "reflecting" a slowdown, it will be reflecting the fact that they overspent in the previous two budgets, leaving nothing for this or the next. That stupid GST cut is now coming back to haunt them. Don't get me started on the billions they have spent on Quebec to gain more votes. A lot of good that did them and the rest of Canada as the Bloc is holding strong.
  91. Mr X from Canada writes: "Wall Flower from Canada writes: This Harper "transformation" will only work if the media helps him like they did in the last election. "

    Which leads to the question "Why is the media meddling so much in politics?" The only reason people think Harper is controlling is because the media has told us he is controlling and many out there want to believe it.
  92. sharon charles from VAncouver, Canada writes: Too little, too late he has to go for a whole variety of reasons, not the least of which is his lack of dignity and ethics in dealing with others who do not share his views. Bring the election on.
  93. Wall Flower from Canada writes: "Which leads to the question "Why is the media meddling so much in politics?" The only reason people think Harper is controlling is because the media has told us he is controlling and many out there want to believe it. "

    One would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see what a control freak Harper really is. Examples of his dictatorial behavior abounds so I don't know what you are talking about.
  94. D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: Some ironies to go along with the personality shift- we learn from Lawrence Martin that Mr. Harper attended a big bash to celebrate CanWest-Global's inauguration of a national broadcast from Ottawa. CanWest is a friend of CPC. Mr. Harper made it a point to be at the party. But then he skips out of a small reception held to honour the Canadian scientists who helped author the IPCC report, this against the backdrop of his own admission that climate change must be fought (from the PM's website). There's some irony in the fact that it is a CanWest paper that chastizes Mr. Harper for missing the reception to honour the scientists. Attending the CanWest bash- bad omen; skipping the reception- bad optics and bad omen.
  95. Fuzzy Bare from Ontario (Not Toronto), Canada writes: As Robert Miller asked in an earlier post "Does the PM think Canadians are a bunch of idiots?". I don't believe the PM would think that about all Canadians, but I suspect, that if he was to read some of the posts by the Interested Observer, D G, Jesse Winger, G Veneta and a few other commenters in this forum, it might be possible that he would think that some of the commenters here are idiots. That is what a non-partisan reader might think.
  96. Go Oilers Go! from Canada writes: Wall Flower from Canada writes: Oilers, they didn't just drift the wrong way. They surpassed the Liberals in their spending. If fiscally responsible behavior is what is important for you, then why on earth would you support a govt that has squandered away in two years Canada's economic advantage?!?! Wall Flower nothing was squandered. The CPC surpassed the spending of the previous Liberal gov'ts; they spent roughly the same as Martin planned on spending going forward had he won and they spent less than Dion plans on spending. What none of the parties really liked to talk about during the '06 campaign was that our surplus for the following year was pegged to be just over $26 billion. Look at Dion's platform; it's no different than the NDP. He has no plans to cut spending initiatives the CPC and wants to add on $5 billion over 5 years for daycare, $5-10 billion over 5 years for pharmacare, $5 billion for the Kelowna accord and $1.5-3 billion per year for environmental spending. That doesn't even take into account the fact Dion and the Liberals would waste additional billions on a bloated gov't bureaucracy as well as useless special interest programs that don't actually help anyone. Dion is a raging socialist; if he ever becomes PM I'll probably move from Canada to avoid being taxed to death. The cash to Quebec I didn't like; but Harper had 'promised' to fix the fiscal imbalance ergo it's a one time payment. Liberal supporters like to gripe about the GST cut...well the only criticism was that is was the wrong type of cut not that taxes were actually cut. Lost revenue is lost revenue so it's a mute point. Personally I'd rather have my money back than $10 billion surpluses. The CPC certainly haven't operated as fiscal conservatives; but they are the closest thing we have in Canada at this time.
  97. rick from river city from Canada writes: Funny but on every media show with a member from each party on a panel discussing issues I see a Conservative member that is not PM Harper. In newspapers I see Conservative members quoted who are not PM Harper. In the HoC I see ministers stand and answer questions who are not PM Harper. Seems to me the Conservative ministers and members speak out just as much as the opposition members. Listen to any Liberal try to explain their 'unchanged position of Afghanistan' over the past month and it's all the same verbatim message. The NDP certainly speak from the same song sheet. When opposition hacks can't create cracks in