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Speaking of bad strategy...

Adam Radwanski, October 9, 2008 at 9:10 PM EST

One of the enduring mysteries of Canadian politics is the failure of so many of our parties to realize that you don't use your leaders out to launch vicious attacks on your opponents.

If Barack Obama feels the need to go hard after John McCain, he gets a surrogate to do it; the same goes for the reverse. Meanwhile, the candidate - particularly if he or she is a frontrunner or an incumbent - tries to rise above.

Now, I don't think the Tories needed to respond at all to the already infamous ATV clip of Stephane Dion. The clip, for better or worse, speaks for itself. Maybe it makes Dion look bad. Maybe it makes the interviewer look bad. Maybe it makes CTV look bad for running it nationally in its entirety. Maybe all of the above. Whatever the case, there was very little to gain from the Tories piling on.

But if they felt compelled to pile on, why in God's name would they have Stephen Harper do it - and in such a gleeful manner at that? 

Your leader's biggest problem is that voters find him unsympathetic. You've gone out of your way to cast him as warm and fuzzy, the apparent failure of which has seen your lead erode in the campaign's final week. And as your primary opponent suffers an embarrassing moment owing to a poor grasp of English and possibly a hearing impairment, you put that leader in front of a camera to make fun of him?

That the Tories responded to their opponent (arguably) self-destructing on camera by turning it into a story that may actually work to his advantage should permanently set to rest the myth of their strategic genius - or, for that matter, the myth of their strategic competence.

  1. David Gibson from Hamilton, Canada writes: Stephen Harper has one or more very stupid advisors, but he doesn't seem to have figured that out. Maybe it's the same whiz-bang who thunk up the arts cuts in the middle of an election.
  2. bob saunders from Belleville, ON, Canada writes: Stephan and Jack were like Barracudas after Harper had shown little outward emotion. They were merciless in their attacks on Harper about the Arts cuts and the economy, knowing full well that Harper has made all the correct moves on the economy. pAYBACK IS A BIATCH.
  3. T Symonds from AB, Canada writes: Give me a break!! Did you watch the Leader Debate? I didnt see any articles chastising May, Layton, etc for piling on. This is a Federal election not Elementary School Spelling Bee.

    How can Dion not understand the question?
  4. doug burt from writes: just goes to show how pathetic Harper is...he his going to lose more votes..another tory blunder...can they make anymore...
  5. Wilma Guywin from Allover Canada, Canada writes:
    PULEEESE Poor little dion somebodies picking on him. Suk it up boy act like a man. You don't understand English well how the hell are you going to understand more than half of Canada?
  6. Alberta Girl from Canada writes: Puleeze Adam - stop it - this constant defense of Dion is getting sickening. The man didn't understand the question - that's is understandable and can be forgiven. What I cannot forgive is the fact that after he did finally understand the question - his answer was that he would have a meeting to find out what the economists want him to do.

    Stop jumping on Harper for making the point that he has no plan - it is obvious he has no plan from his answer. Don't use hearing problems and mis understandings to defend the indefensible.

    It just makes you look silly.
  7. dave liberal from Toronto, Canada writes: Dion understood the question- it was not a language issue - he just could not get his head around what moment in time he was prime minister..

    That he could not handle such a softball question, and especially the kid glove treatment he received from CTV is unbelievable. Dion must have left the studio thinking it was all just a screwup by CTV. I guess they normally provide him the questions before the interview so he can revise them?

    I'm a liberal but cannot vote for such an pathetic creature. He's toast.
  8. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: With respect, the question was not clear and, in fact, had some land mines attached to it. If Mr. Dion were PM today, the interviewer asked, what would he have done differently than Mr. Harper. Well, is that knowing what one knows today, as in being in possession of hindsight and knowing the future years ago? On the other hand, had the interviewer asked, if you had run and won the last election, what would you have done differently, that is entirely a different question. It's subtle, I know, but the question (in fairness to Mr. Harper) would have been answered differently. Mr. Harper didn't know two plus years ago what events would be like today, either. And, in fact, the way Mr. Dion answered each version of this question would have indicated quite a bit about his character. Conditional "if/what" questions are quite complex. To my way of thinking, the handwriting (the "bubble" economy) was evident three or more years ago, but what one did with that information is the key.
  9. D. MacKay from Atlantic, Canada writes:

    In Question Period would Dion get 4 takes for an answer ?

    Or would he have an assistant with giant cue cards at the back of room?

    If Dion was PM how would he deal with Bush?If Dion was PM how would he deal with Bush?
    If Dion was PM how would he deal with Bush?If Dion was PM how would he deal with Bush?If Dion was PM how would he deal with Bush?

    Just wanted Dion to get the question ... in case he didn't get it the first time.

    After all it's nice to know what you're voting for.
  10. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: I'm really NOT getting the Globe titles tonight....Harper bails out Dion....?????????? how? when? where?................doesn't make any sense at in the context of the article!
  11. John Longshot from Canada writes: Exactly what planet are you from Mr. Radwanski?? This is an election campaign! Mr. Dion was asked a pertinent and clearly articulated question. If he had difficulty understanding the interviewer’s English phraseology, surely after three attempts, one of his staff would have translated the question into French for him. Frankly, I don't believe he had any difficulty understanding the question, rather I believe he was at a loss for words. There really isn't a Liberal economic plan, and there really isn't anything that a prime minister could do that would better what Mr. Harper has already done. The fact is, this interviewer should receive an award for asking a well thought out and concise question. This is just the sort of intelligent exchange that has been missing in the Canadian news media. Your criticism of both Mr. Harper and the interviewer is puzzling. If you don't feel the interviewer's question was appropriate, then I (and most readers) would like to know your reasons.
  12. Dan Zenderman from TO, Canada writes: Harper mocking Dion ...

    And here's Toller Cranson....showing us his delicate form ..such grace..such poetry ....

    ...and it's BIG BOBBY BAUN in the corner....OOHHH!! and what a hit he just laid on Toller Cranston...

    Toller is down !....NO ....HE"S UP !!.and the gloves are off .....

    OOHHH NNOOO !! BIG BOBBY BAUN has Tollers jersey up over his head and he is pummeling the crap out of Toller .....

    Man ..somebody get a ref in there ..this is awful !! this is a slaughter !!

    ..pity for Toller ?? pretty please ?..boohoo ...
  13. va donc chier from Canada writes: Ah come on. The question was NOT clear. It changes tenses mid sentence. It can be interpreted different ways. It is a bad question. Dion is used to clarity, remember?
  14. garlick toast from Canada writes: Conservatives don't get it, Canadians don't like bullies. BTW no need to go to utube, CTV played the clip on the late news followed by Harper's extrapolation " can't understand a question, can't govern the country".How frickin' lame is that? Harper is a 30% man,that's his number, that's his legacy.
  15. Fender Bender from Madawaska, Canada writes: Adam, the interview makes CTV look bad???? Are you an idiot or just mocking us?
  16. Ron Pacific from Victoria, Canada writes: I don't know why the Globe is endorsing Harper when we see more evidence today of his bullying, mean, petty and cheap streak. For goodness sake, Harper called a 1/3 billion dollar election without a platform, hid it until the last moment and is still hiding away all of his candidates from the public. What is he trying to hide? Then we get these periodic flashes of meanness which is most disturbing. Who will he hit next? Will we have a caricature of somebody's face next?
  17. garlick toast from Canada writes: Dan Zenderman from TO,Gay basher are you? Vote Harper, you deserve each other.
  18. Rick C from Calgary, Canada writes: You call that going hard?

    The question wasn't that complicated.
  19. john may from writes: Down in Halifax many like to make fun of Steve Murphy but friends tell me he is a lot sharper than many think.
    If Mr Murphy had asked Bob Rae, Ignatieff, Layton or Duceppe the same first question you would have quickly had an answer. We may not have liked the answer or even thought the politician dodged the question but you would not have had an exchange that will go down in Canadian political history.
    Bob Stanfield caught the football 12 consecutuve times then dropped it the next time, the photo made the front pages, Stanfield looked like a fumbler and Trudeau cruised to victory and started the era of deficits.
    CTV dealt with this in a fair and responsible manner, viewers and voters are free to make their own judgment of the incident.
    No spin will alter the fact of Mr Dion saying ' I do not understand'
    Incroyable.
  20. Phil H from Toronistan, Canada writes: Dion: "30-50 plan, in fact the plan for the first 80 days once we would have a Liberal government. Can we stop it now?"
  21. George Smith from Canada writes: I guess the Conservatives feel that people with disabilities should not be allowed in government. Is this part of the new platform?
  22. Phil H from Toronistan, Canada writes: I love when Liberals defend Dion by calling Harper a bully. Only one problem, Dion tripped himself up. He spent the last week criticizing the handling of the economy but couldn't say what he would do in the same position.
  23. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: I strongly disagree Adam. Dion has accused Harper of not having a plan. Now Harper was able to respond directly back at Dion with evidence that Dion does not have a plan. It makes a great deal of sense to have Harper make the comment. He did not dwell on Dion slipping up. He commented on him not having a plan.
  24. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: Unless it's scripted, with talking points Dion can't manage the English language much the same as his Leadership debt. Canadians should think long and hard when this might be the guy who could tax your jobs off the balance sheet...I didn't understand perhaps?
  25. bob saunders from Belleville, ON, Canada writes: diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: With respect, the question was not clear and, in fact, had some land mines attached to it. If Mr. Dion were PM today, the interviewer asked, what would he have done differently than Mr. Harper==============The question was very clear, and clearly heard also, but yes it was a tough question for Dion to answer because he doesn't have a clue what he would do different than Harper. Was he put on the spot of course he was, as he should be. You can spin it anyway you want Diane, but the fact is he looked like a case of early onset Alzheimer( Apology to those who actually suffer from this terrible disease) It's not like Harper hasn't been asked tough questions, like the idiot running the debate that asked him why the others though he was a barbarian.
  26. garlick toast from Canada writes: 18 billion of identifiable costs for the war and the cons make whoopie over an interview stumble.They have the stink of desperation on them.
  27. T Symonds from AB, Canada writes: Oh yeah, the mean bully Harper forces CTV to show a interview in which the Leader of the Liberal Party cannot understand a basic question about the most important issue facing us today.

    Hmmmm poor Dion how unfair for the journalist such a confusing question on such a confusing topic. How unfair to have the potential leader of this nation address such a marginal topic as the current state of the economy.
  28. Richard McAdam from Halifax, Canada writes: That is a sad defence, Adam. You were right with the first sentence and little else: it makes Dion look bad. CTV doesn't look bad for airing what happened. Stephen Harper doesn't look bad for answering a question about Dion's inability to field a question. Dion fumbled--badly--the most fundamental question of this campaign: as prime minister, what would you do to steer the economy in the right direction. Dion's been harping for weeks now about Harper's so-called "laissez faire, I don't care" attitude to the crisis and reiterating that Harper's done nothing, and yet when asked what he'd do in Harper's shoes all he could do is stutter and yammer in a fashion reminiscent of Paul Martin in his last days as Prime Minister.
  29. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Diane MArie and va donc chier from Canada writes: Ah come on. The question was NOT clear.
    -------------
    Can you honestly say that after having three start overs and the question explained on 5 seperate occasions, once by one of his aides, that he still didn't understand the question.

    If thats true then that is pretty scary. Maybe not the person you want making a decision during a tense crisis.
  30. chad Ransou from Toronto, Canada writes: Adam, you are being as pathetic as you can be. This is not about a contest to select the Mr. Nice guy whom everyone is going to be loved and sympathized. You are electing a leader in one of the most powerful countries of the world that has a population over 30 million people. This is the leader who is going to be the head all of us and whatever he says and whatever action he takes it is going to have a major impact on all of us. He is going to be the Caption and the CEO of this country and if this leader can't comprehense a sentence after three attempts we all should hide our heads in the sand and should be shamed that we failed find a leader among 30 million people. Is this the best we got? I THINK NOT SIR!!!!
  31. View Finder from TOronto, Canada writes: The issue is not Dion making a gaffe in responding to an inanely worded question -- he's already talked about his economic plan.

    The troubling issue is why Harper, now a legend for his lack of empathy, would jump on Dion with such vicious and opportunistic glee. It's too reminscent of Kim Campbell's mockery of Chretien's partial paralysis and we all know how that worked out.
  32. Daniel Grice from Canada writes: I think the comments missed the point. Harper is having empathy problems, and the last thing he should do is personally intertwine him in a weak campaign.

    Yeah, Dion screwed up on the question, but Harper looks like the idiot for delaying his flight to make a comment on someone else's interview.
  33. Mrs. T from Chilliwack, Canada writes: I give Dion marks for laughing at himself. Having said that, he was frustrated by the question because it deviated from the pat answers that the party would normally give. If you do not know the answer, which he obviously did not, then feign misunderstanding. But I notice, as on the debates, when he gets on the hot seat, he flusters quite easily and his command of English goes out the window. Scary on the world stage, people. As for Harper commenting, why not? Aren't we all commenting here?
  34. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: This is not my post. I copied from a guy named JFJ and I laughed my bitt off:

    The transcript from tonight's emergency meeting of NATO allies.

    Prime Minister Brown: Iran is threatening to invade Israel.

    President Bush: Should we nuke Iran now?

    Prime Minister Dion: I didn't understand the question, do you mean if I had have been elected two and a half year ago, should we act? Can we start this again?

    Brown: Iran may have already invaded.

    Bush: Let's nuke'm now. Agreed?

    Dion: Do you mean if I am Prime Minister when they invade or was Prime Minister when they said they are going to invade? I don't understand. Can we start again?

    Brown: OK start again.

    Bush: Time's running out. Gotta decide. Push the button now. Agreed?

    Dion: Well I've got a plan to develop a plan. I'll consult with appropriate experts and the provincial premiers. I'll be ready in 30 days. So tell the Iranians my plan will be the best plan. A plan is a plan and Harper didn't have one.

    ... please don't use this video, I'll look like a blithering idiot.
  35. Terry Quinn from Canada writes: This reminds me of the Kim Campbell comment about Chretien's mouth being off kilter and we know what happened to her. Maybe just maybe, and hopefully, the cons will now slip behind the bloc and NDP in the seat count. Wishful thinking I know but it has parallels.
  36. T Symonds from AB, Canada writes: Yeah, lets vote for Dion because we feel sorry for him. It would be nice for him to become Prime Minister. Bring out the "pity vote"
  37. Joe Dick from Kingston, Canada writes: So Dion was asked a question that was not a safe and rehearsed talking point and he fouled it up.

    For Adam to try to blame the interviewer or CTV is odd at best, an apologist at worst.

    I just watched 2 separate debates with 4 candidates piling on Harper, but that is ok.

    I watch the LPC launch attack after attack at Harper, but that is ok.

    I watch Harper capitalize on a MAJOR MAJOR Dion goof and that is bad.

    Dion was asked the same question at least 5 different times and you could actually see the flop-sweat beads on his forehead.

    There will be no "do-overs" or "mulligans" Mr. Dion if you are representing Canada on a national and international stage. This should worry the average liberal and Canadian.

    BTW, the hearing loss excuse is just pathetic. Murphy and Dion's aid rephrased it many times and many different ways.

  38. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: bob saunders:-- With respect, Bob, Mr. Dion has answered the same question several times in the past weeks. He said that he would not have reduced the previous Liberal government's contingency fund. He said that he would not have blown the surplus. He also said that he would have reduced income taxes rather than consumption taxes. All three measures would have put us in better stead today. And, by the way, Mr. Harper's "steady as she goes", what, me panic? stance has already changed as Mr. Flaherty admits this evening that he is preparing to bail out our banks, though the weasel-words being used are "lending support".
  39. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: Radwanski gives Dion a wide path on this one, the heartstring Liberals are now posing this as a tough question. REALLY now? How tough is it going to be when Folks realize Dion is not comprehending, because he lacks the skills to understand basic English questions. Wow this was an eye opener, now that the Proffessor was off script, Mr. Obama/ Mr. McCain can you start over again (laugh giggle) wow and Adam blames CTV for publishing - they have to - he hasn't the skill level! Try that in Quebec if you came from Ontario as a matter of FACT!
  40. Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: The poorest performance is Steve Murphy. Very poorly framed question. Clearly hadn't thought about what the words in those phrases actually meant. When I first heard the question, I thought he was asking what a sitting PM should have been doing for two and a half years to avoid the current financial situation. Then, given the opportunity to clarify, Murphy stumbled again. He owes Dion and his viewing audience an apology. Bet he lacks the courage to offer one up.
  41. bill bocher from Canada writes: Give me a break buddy.....your little editorial comes right out of the liberal war room. The libs love to dish it out, but once the tables are turned on them, they can't take it. They say everyone is being 'mean' if Dion is being criticized for his obvious shortcomings and that he has no idea what he would do as a leader. It is quite alright for liberals to lie, distort and misrepresent what was actually said by Harper and attack him with all the low-life lies that you aspire to present to the public. The second something bad is said about your dear party of deceiptful mindless sleezebags, you all cry foul and run around crying that you have been somehow mistreated. The media in this country disgust me and should all be shipped off to a Communist country to work for their government as they do for the liberals in this one. I'm sure they would be hired based on their experience with the liberal party. Our country is sadly misrepresented and influenced by idiots like the person who wrote this article. I wish we had REAL jounalists in this country who do not work for the liberal party and actually report facts. I know this particular piece was an editorial but it just oozes with lies and deceipt that we see every day in the media which has been increasingly rampant over the last couple weeks.
  42. Building an Ark from Eastern Slopes, Canada writes: diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: bob saunders:-- With respect, Bob, Mr. Dion has answered the same question several times in the past weeks.

    Ah Dianne the great apologist - Dion can't comprehend simple questions in ENGLISH - never mind spouting off party scripted lines Dion hasn't the capacity to engage in serious English language question or answers. Oh It's a hearing thing... right!
  43. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Joe Dick:-- You ought to recall, Joe, that Mr. Harper was the only leader unprepared to face the CBC's town-hall meeting questions. All the party leaders did except Mr. Harper. Instead, the CBC capitulated and let him have a one-on-one with Mr. Mansbridge so that he wouldn't have to come up with answers from the great unwashed on the fly.
  44. T Symonds from AB, Canada writes: Well Diane maybe Mr. Harper suffers from a little social phobia so we need to support him through his difficulties and forgive him for any mistakes he might make
  45. Building an Ark from Canada writes: I thought SNL could not have done a better spoof, only instead of Palin - this was Dion live and unscripted...
  46. Critical Reasoning from Calgary, Canada writes: Shame on CTV for exposing the embarassing incompetence of a man who wants to lead Canada through a time of economic uncertainty! Shame on Stephen Harper for daring to comment on his political opponent's frightening gaffe! Harper is such a bully!

    Shame on ATV's anchor for not repeating the question in french, when Dion couldn't figure it out in english! And now Canadian voters are insisting that their would-be leader should be capable of answering hypothetical questions in English? Nonsense! REAL Canadian voters know that an unilingual French-speaking PM is perfectly capable of representing Canada on the world stage!
  47. Building an Ark from Canada writes: Gilles Duceppe could have, and would have answered that question, and most of Canada can't tolerate what he stands for...
  48. don medideth from Canada writes: Are you kidding me? Watch the damn video, Dion COMPLETELY understood the question he just froze. Stop making excuses for this clown. He makes Sarah Palin look like Albert Einstein. The only thing this video demonstrates id what an utter and complete trainwreck he would be as our Prime Minister.
  49. Moe Unting from Calgary, Canada writes: Harper piled on because he wanted to do it, frustration maybe, but the decision was his, not the handlers or strategists. This is the mean Harper losing his cool; both of them have been having horrible weeks, losing support, the economic debacle wasting any economic resource that either of them could have used to steer government, the pretenders getting their support - its a sh*t sandwich and they are all going to have to take a bite.
    Dion and Harper are in the same boat; Dion bumbles and Harper gets snarky. At least Dion can bail out, Ill betcha Harper is wondering what kind of nightmare he'll have to endure for the next 2 years in Ottawa. fun fun fun
  50. garlick toast from Canada writes: Back in the real world,Harper has just discovered the economy,the banks and the art of the flip flop.He's going to do for the banks what voters are going to do to him, BAIL OUT
  51. Bart Farquart from Canada writes:
    Here's what Harper said:
    --------------------
    "When you're running a trillion-and-a-half-dollar economy, you don't get a chance to have do-overs, over and over again," Harper told reporters.

    "I think what this incident actually indicates very clearly is Mr. Dion and the Liberal Party really don't know what they would do on the economy."
    -------------------------------------------

    Harper was saying that this stumble was symbolic of the whole Liberal approach under Dion.

    Sorry Adam, it isn't Harper or CTV. No one, including Harper or CTV reporter Mike Duffy was mocking Dion's "hearing" problem.

    Your guy screwed up horribly.

    But I would give your spin at least a 7 out of 10 Diane Marie deflection scale points.
  52. bill bocher from Canada writes: Dianne Marie: If your memory wasn't so short, you would remember that the reason Harper called the election was to try to better deal with the coming economic storm instead of dealing with all the clowns trying to make parliament come to a standstill on our taxpaying dollars. Dion started this campaign talking about the green shaft for a full week. He wasn't talking about the economy, HARPER WAS. Harper was warning us a long time ago about the troubles ahead, but as usual, you and the rest of the public can't remember what happened two weeks ago and rely on the media spin to fill your brains with misinformation. Just because Harper isn't running around in circles screaming with his hands in the air, doesn't mean he isn't dealing with the economic issue. What plan does Dion have? NOTHING!!! He is trying to tell us that he has a plan. Look at his plan...it has no substance. He is saying that he is going to have some meetings. Thanks buddy, noone whould have EVER thought of that. Wow, what a stroke of genius, you better vote for this guy. Meanwhile the COnservatives are actually having meetings all the while dealing with the below the belt, low life lies from the opposition in this campaign. The Conservatives have been dealing with the economy for the past year while the libs were preoccuppied finding reasons to call inquiries into anything they could dream up the night before. Sorry for being so direct but I am completely sick and disgusted of the lies and intolerance of the left. I wish the media could be forced to tell the truth and facts at least during an election, but sadly I know this will never happen in our 'democracy'. It would be so refreshing to have some kind of media outlet in this country that reported facts instead of spin.
  53. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    It was a simple question.

    What would you do differently than Harper?

    I was stunned at what I saw.
    Dion looked sedated.
    He heard it clearly, he just didn't understand the concept of now.

    I was embarassed for him.

    Gawd knows I've picked on Dion.
    Been banned from posting here due to some of my invective.

    But this is beyond belittling.
    I was alarmed.

    This man could be PM.

    Oh Gawd.
  54. Chris Sigurdson from Canada writes: CTV should not have run this clip.
    And Harper should not have commented on it.
    It reflects badly on Harper and it will ultimately hurt him.
    Remember the whole empathy question- anyone watching this video (except for the purely partisan) can feel for Dion- and the confusion which results from an unanswerable question-
    Dion stumbles because he is politely trying to answer a stupid question.
  55. Joe Dick from Kingston, Canada writes: Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: The poorest performance is Steve Murphy. Very poorly framed question. Clearly hadn't thought about what the words in those phrases actually meant. When I first heard the question, I thought he was asking what a sitting PM should have been doing for two and a half years to avoid the current financial situation. Then, given the opportunity to clarify, Murphy stumbled again. He owes Dion and his viewing audience an apology. Bet he lacks the courage to offer one up.

    =========================================

    Good bloody grief, are you for real?

    The question was initially worded poorly but he gave Dion chance after chance and re-word after re-word. How do you explain Dion's own aid explaining it to him?

    How do you know Murphy lacks any courage? You just insult the man because he tripped up Dion?

    I think I have found the "ugly liberal".
  56. M H from Toronto, Canada writes: Dion is not effective in English, which is one of several reasons why the Liberals are running in second place. Given the rather inept campaign run by the Conservatives, and the Prime Minister's failure to connect to most Canadians, it seems likely that if the Liberals were better led they would now be cruising to an election victory. As it is, the CPC will form another minority government: not what the party and its leader were looking for but all they're likely to get. I agree with Adam Radwanski that it was ill-advised for Mr Harper to make fun of Stephane Dion. But he probably couldn't help himself. Mr Harper has demonstrated on other occasions that he has a mean streak and is not particularly sensitive to other human beings: the classic mark of the high-achieving narcissist. His comment the other day that this was a good time to buy common stocks is a case in point. Most Canadians are loaded down with debt don't have the spare cash to buy stocks. The only way most Canadians are involved in the stock market is through their pension funds or RRSP's, and if they have common stock in the latter they have recently seen the value of their savings shrink. If he were clued in to the way most Canadians live and to what their hopes and fears are, Mr. Harper would have kept his mouth shut. By pointing at an opportunity that fewer than one in ten Canadians are able to take advantage of, he committed a blunder. He committed another one by rubbing in Dion's mistake. A Conservative acquaintance of mine put it best in a conversation last Saturday. Conceding that the hoped-for majority was probably no longer within reach, he blamed this on the Prime Minister: "He doesn't know when to stop talking."
  57. Ravinder Mlait from Vancouver, Canada writes: Adam,
    Did you ever think that perhaps Dion didn't have an actual answer for the Question posed in the interview? and that is why he SELECTIVELY did not answer. Because he did not have an answer and put on his fake "I cant hear you, I dont understand you" Where do the excuses stop Don for Mr. Dion?

    Could you imagine if PMSH had the same response in an interview. I wonder if you would come to his defence. Or would you say that Mr. Harper understood, but choose to play dumb. Why the double standard Adam?

    why not find out if mr. Dion really has a hearing problem or if he really didnt understand a question that was posed to him in one of the official languages of this country - a whopping 3 TIMES.
  58. Bill Thompson from Calgary, Canada writes: If this was Mr. Harper and he had dropped the ball this badly, he would be out as the PM…I think everyone can agree to that. If I personally had done it, nobody would care mainly because I am not a professional politician and have little or no experience either as a professional politician or in dealing with the media as a communications expert. In fact, I would have needed more do-overs than the three Mr. Dion took. >>>>>>>> The question then is where does Mr. Dion fit in that spectrum between the PM as a political professional and me as a novice. Does Mr. Dion get a pass because he is like me a rank amateur or if not [let us pretend that Mr. Dion has had years as an Ottawa politician with extensive experience in Cabinet] does he get a pass for such a lapse because he is not a professional politician? Moreover, if he does get a pass, what about any other high profile professional politicians who are ambushed by the press; but of course, forgive me I forgot this was not an ambush,...just a straight forward question. >>>>>>>If after all his time and experience in politics Mr. Dion is incapable of handling such a straight forward question any better than I could personally, then, in my view, there are grounds to hold Mr. Dion to account or elect me as the next PM…your call folks, I am standing by my phone just waiting to get drafted into the fray.
  59. Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: Sorry, Joe Dick - not partisan opinion, not Liberal supporter - but I have 20 years experience interviewing people on a variety of subjects. Dion's request for clarification, if you care to watch the video, is to qualify what Murphy means by 'if you're the Prime Minister now'. Does he mean 'for the past two and a half years?' Does he mean 'imagine being elected today and discovering this economic situation' or does he mean 'once elected a week form now'. Dion was pretty clear. Murphy dropped the ball. Badly. I'm not only for real, that's my real name. Call me. I'll explain it to you. Again.
  60. John Longshot from Canada writes: Adam's response displays an ineptitude that pervades certain ranks of the Canadian media. He must take Canadians for bunch of fools!
  61. My Cat Knows Better from Hamilton, Canada writes: Saw the clip, read all of your comments... on both sides of the issue. In the final analysis the fact that there is no general consensus one way or the other leads me to believe that in the end this is just one more minor issue that will have no impact on the final outcome of the election. It'll all be forgotten tomorrow morning when the TSX continues is meltdown.
  62. siren call from Canada writes: Hmm. A seeming problem with English tenses on Dion's part.

    Harper holds up his plane and calls a press conference to ridicule the French speaking Dion for imperfect English.

    I wonder how that will play in Quebec?
  63. don medideth from Canada writes: Spin your way back to the island Gilligan, the question was crystal clear he was completely caught off gaurd and didn't have an answer. This is the final nail in Dionne's coffin and it is scary that this country could could that close to electing him PM. This isn't a conservative thing or a Liberal thing he is simply the worst politician I have vever seen in my life. I actually felt bad for him because he is in way over his head.
  64. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: In the ultimate irony, Harper showed his lack of French language skills in pouncing on Dion's rather humorous interview. The Quebec press has noted that Harper used the wrong French word for trillion when he tried to say that Dion has no idea how to handle a 1.5 trillion dollar economy. This one just feeds the small proportion of English Canadians who are bigots. They were voting CPC anyway.
  65. Bart Farquart from Canada writes:
    MH from Toronto:

    Harper did not make fun of Dion. Here, again is Harper's quote:

    --------------------
    "When you're running a trillion-and-a-half-dollar economy, you don't get a chance to have do-overs, over and over again," Harper told reporters.

    "I think what this incident actually indicates very clearly is Mr. Dion and the Liberal Party really don't know what they would do on the economy."
    -------------------------------------------

    There is no basis to conflate Harper's comment with the Kim Campbell ads about Chretien's face problem. That dog simply doesn't hunt.

    And, what Harper said only echoes, even faintly, what the CTV journalists in this clip are saying:

    http://watch.ctv.ca/news/#clip101448

    Liberals are currently raging against CTV and hinting at unspecified threats. That should get them great coverage.
  66. T Symonds from Canada writes: If Dion didnt understand the question perfectly you would think he would have enough political experience to at least take the opportunity to speak of his platform. instead muttering on about 20-50, 130 day plan.
  67. Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: And to follow up, for Bill Thompson and Ravinder Mlait, I'd have the same opinion had it been Harper fielding the same question. Harper might have been clearer and more specific in his request for clarification, but I'd wager he'd have called Murphy on it as well. I'd like you to imagine, for a moment, Lloyd Robertson asking the same question - he'd have had that question properly vetted and framed before he went on the air. This has nothing to do with Harper's response - that's a completely separate issue and one I'm not commenting on - the problem started with either Murphy, or whomever on the CTV news team framed this question in the first place.
  68. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, United States writes: Terry Quinn from Canada writes: This reminds me of the Kim Campbell comment about Chretien's mouth being off kilter and we know what happened to her.

    Perhaps...except that Dion is the candidate saddled with a hugely unpopular tax and just pulled the "election is no time to talk about important issues" moment.
  69. My Cat Knows Better from Hamilton, Canada writes: Harper picks and choses the questions he will answer, he refused to go onto CBC's, "Your Turn", because he didn't like the format where he would answer questions from voters without having a list of them ahead of time. Dion has publicly stated that he works without a teleprompter and works, "without a safety net". For what its worth, what you see is what you get. The same is starting to be true of Harper. People are starting to see him for what he is and they don't like it.
    I'm voting for Jack.
  70. k H from Canada writes: diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: With respect, the question was not clear .
    come one i understood it as did millions of others. what i didnt understand was "30/50" and i dont care to.
  71. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: k H, what isn't clear is what you have written. What kind of sentence is "come one i understood it as did millions of others"?
  72. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    Umm....Adam--

    Your post immediately before this one admonishes the LPC for letting Ignatieff (the DEPUTY PM!!) address the media about the carbon tax. Getting wires crossed, etc.

    Now you admonish the CPC for having the PM comment directly on Dion's gaffe.

    Make up your mind.

    Besides, although I agree that the CTV were cruel to release the tape, the 'piling on' happens to everybody.

    eg--Harper's 'good time to buy stocks'--10 seconds out of a 30 minute interview--screaming headlines for days.

    eg--Ritz's off-the-record listeria 'jokes'

    eg--Dion's 'priorities' stumble

    etc.

    Gaffes get exploited, and ebverybody does it (for better or worse)
  73. The Bull from Canada writes: absolutely pathetic, radwanski.

    i mean, really...."...owing to a poor grasp of English and possibly a hearing impairment"

    are you actually being serious?

    it's actually come to this?

    admitting his english is so bad he's not smarter than a fifth grader, and then suggesting anyone who points that out is insensitive.

    wow.

    what a sad joke this place has become.
  74. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    bobby--

    you're doing that typo thing again.

    rise above it, bobby...rise....
  75. k H from Canada writes: boohoo bobby dy
  76. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: My Cat Knows Better, Harper uses a teleprompter as well. It is remarkable that Harper can do so much to protect himself from being cornered with difficult questions and the media just accepts it. They don't make a big stink when the RCMP chase them away because Harper has to think for 5 minutes on how he will spin an embarrassing situation. They accept his conditions for an interview with Peter Mansbridge. What was Harper so afraid of that he wouldn't take questions from the general public? Was a condition of Harper's interview that he was briefed on what the questions would be?

    I agree with Radwanski, this whole "piling on" just reinforces the opinion of many Canadians that there is a turd beneath that sweater.
  77. k H from Canada writes: maybe i am hearing impaired like dion -whatever!
    maybeee i should right like dis for u and den tirty per cent of canaadians vill vote me and arrr great parteeeee
  78. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: spicydoc, yes, I am hoping that after this election, I can retire for good from these discussions. If Harper retires, I will be quick to join him.
  79. Lianne Johnson from Canada writes: The Conservative response to the video has earned Harper his Jean Chretien face ad moment of the campaign. It will backfire. Putting Mr. Dion's hearing impediment aside, it looks like CTV employed a double standard when it comes to leaders speaking in their second language. Let's not forget Harper's stumble in the 2006 French debate where he clearly did not understand questions. No media or Liberal leader attacked him for his gaffe. Yet, suddenly, Mr. Dion has a awkward moment in English and it has determined whether he can be prime minister!
    Mr. Dion has had plenty of shining campaign moments that outweigh this one. Harper just keeps making himself look worse with each remaining day of this campaign. It is embarassing to have Harper as our prime minister. Prime Minister Dion will be a welcomed change!
  80. The Bull from Canada writes: Chris Sigurdson from Canada writes: CTV should not have run this clip.
    - an unanswerable question.
    ---

    unanswerable?

    huh?

    a train leaves Montreal going 65 km/hour. another train leaves Windsor going 73 km/ hour. where will they run into each other?

    that's a tough question, on the spot, in the middle of a campaign.

    my lord, dion could actually be PM.

    wow.
  81. jim reed from dungannon, Canada writes: Lets not forget that CTV is indirectly owned now by the teachers union of ontario
  82. k H from Canada writes: whatever the question, dion looked like an idiot and it is idiots who will vote for him.
  83. Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: Okay Bull - I'm calling you on this. What did Steve Murphy actually mean?
    "If you had been Prime Minsiter for two and half years what would you have done that Stephen Harper has not done?"
    "If you were Prime Minister today (as in hypothetically becoming Prime Minister today), what would you do with this economic situation that Stephen Harper has not done?"
    or
    "If you are elected Prime Minister, what will you do that Stephen Harper has not done?"

    Are they all the same question? Got an answer that fits all three?
  84. jim reed from dungannon, Canada writes: The media's job is to make people look like idiots.
  85. Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: Jim read pecked: "The media's job is to make people look like idiots."

    Uh, not their own news anchor, Jim.
  86. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    "What would you differently than Harper is doing about our economic crisis?"

    Calling him PM really threw him for a loop.
    It startled him.
    Practically stunned him.

    He was deer in the headlights.
    He really was.

    Not ready for prime time.

    What is all the fuss?
    How good are any of you at performing live?
    Give the guy a break.
    Poor little fella.
    Poor little guy.

    I do it all the time, play drums in a blues band.
    Sure, stage fright is real.
    This is NOT the time to be worried about your public speaking.

    I wouldn't jam with Dion if you paid me.
    He'd freak out at a house party.
    Run a country?

    No way, man.
  87. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    Let me summarize:

    Dion choked.
  88. Rob Gilgan from Canada writes: Actually Michael - had Murphy asked that question, Dion likely would have given his stock answer - and we wouldn't have to stay up this late.
  89. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    There was Dion's response, which is lost in this shuffle.

    "We have a 30 day 50 plan."
    He said it twice.

    What the heck?
    What's a 30 day 50 plan?
    How does that differ from a 30 day plan?
    What's 50 got to do with it?
    Is it a 50 day plan?
    A 30 day plan followed by a 50 day plan?

    Was Dion suggesting his 30 day plan was better than Harper's 50 day plan, problematic in that Harper never used the word 50.

    And this Green Shtick thingy?
    Is it as complicated as the 30 day 50 plan?

    Sure glad I'm a Conservative.
    I like things simple, what with my reduced mental capacity and all.
  90. Phillip Huggan from Wpg, writes: Dion correctly interpreted the question, "if I were elected PM 2.5 years ago?" and Duffy dismisses this answer "no, if you were PM today". Duffy inplies Dion's interpretation is wrong. Dion either isn't assertive enough, or trusts Duffy's english to much or his own not enough, to call Duffy on the lie. Duffy may have really had a chance to catch Dion offguard. And then Harper has a Kim Campbell moment. Conservatives seemed genuinely tolerant in 2006. Now I wonder why the party even bothers to run women, a parypalegic, and minorities.
  91. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    Curious that Adam chastises the CPC for their alleged "strategic incompetence" when what we have is Dion choking on live TV.

    I detect a note of bitterness.
  92. blair 9831 from Prairies, Canada writes: I, too, have had experience as an interviewer. It was an extremely poorly worded question and the re-asks don't help. Is the intent to ask: "If you'd been prime minister for the past 2-1/2 years, what would you have done differently than Harper?" why not phrase it that way?
    I'm not a huge fan of Dion's, but my goodness, the intent was not clear. But perhaps lack of clarity was the intent? It wouldn't be the first time in an interview question. Or the interviewer couldn't come up with a better question?? Dion's mistake was continuing to ask for clarification instead of rephrasing it his way and making a political point. Granted, he may have been trying to figure out which stock answer to give, but still, the interviewer bears some blame.

    And, it amazes me we've all spent so much time on this (mea culpa too). Just five days to go and perhaps we'll all get a bit more sleep.
  93. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Cons are deluding themselves as only they can, if they think this will halt Harper's slide.

    Kiss your majority goodbye, and start planning another leadership convention. Chances are, the LPC will be doing the same.

    Then we can be rid of the both of them.
  94. Piet F from Canada writes: Basically it comes down to whether you want an a$$hole running your country or a geek who struggled with one interview question over an entire campaign.

    No one's accusing Dion of being stupid.
  95. J Kay from Canada writes: Having just watched the interview I don't think Dion had any problem hearing the question, I think the question was poorly worded, though Mr. Dion may have had difficulty with the improperly changing tense of the question.

    The question as phrased was piss poor. "If you were PM non what would you have done." It is a switch between past tense and present tense within the same question that makes the question somewhat confounding, more so for someone whose first language isn't English.

    Mr. Dion wished to clarify and his initial answer shows he in fact understood the gist of the question but wished to be clear, because of the awkward tense. If Mr. Dion was PM NOW, then to be so he would have been PM 2.5 years ago and thus the question should encompass, what would you have done differently, meaning not just today but leading up to this credit crisis. He was clearly trying to clarify with regard to the question at what point did he become PM: in 2006, on Oct 14 or literally today and how one answers that question very much depends upon that fact.

    If 2.5 years ago Dion could have answered with things they may have done differently or perhaps they would have responded sooner. What will he do if elected PM is relevant if elected on Oct 14 and if he was magically made PM starting today but somehow was responsible for what happened before even though he wasn't PM, which is in essence how this question is posed then that answer too may be different.

    I think CTV was being overly opportunistic in airing the clip.

    Quite simply the question was improperly phased - poor English grammar - leading to some confusion as to when Mr. Dion would have attained the mantle of responsibility such that he could be reasonably expected to have acted in any manner and this was what Mr. Dion was CLEARLY trying to get at.

    Given the question WHEN did he become PM. It's incredibly pertinent to the answer.
  96. J Kay from Canada writes: Having just watched the interview I don't think Dion had any problem hearing the question, I think the question was poorly worded, though Mr. Dion may have had difficulty with the improperly changing tense of the question.

    The question as phrased was incoherent. "If you were PM non what would you have done." It is a switch between past tense and present tense within the same question that makes the question somewhat confounding, more so for someone whose first language isn't English.

    Mr. Dion wished to clarify and his initial answer shows he in fact understood the gist of the question but wished to be clear, because of the awkward tense. If Mr. Dion was PM NOW, then to be so he would have been PM 2.5 years ago and thus the question should encompass, what would you have done differently, meaning not just today but leading up to this credit crisis. He was clearly trying to clarify with regard to the question at what point did he become PM: in 2006, on Oct 14 or literally today and how one answers that question very much depends upon that fact.

    If 2.5 years ago Dion could have answered with things they may have done differently or perhaps they would have responded sooner. What will he do if elected PM is relevant if elected on Oct 14 and if he was magically made PM starting today but somehow was responsible for what happened before even though he wasn't PM, which is in essence how this question is posed then that answer too may be different.

    I think CTV was being overly opportunistic in airing the clip.

    Quite simply the question was improperly phased - poor English grammar - leading to some confusion as to when Mr. Dion would have attained the mantle of responsibility such that he could be reasonably expected to have acted in any manner and this was what Mr. Dion was CLEARLY trying to get at.

    Given the question WHEN did he become PM. It's incredibly pertinent to the answer.
  97. Bryan London Ontario from Canada writes: Phillip Huggan from Wpg, writes: Dion correctly interpreted the question, "if I were elected PM 2.5 years ago?" and Duffy dismisses this answer "no, if you were PM today".

    I love when people join in the debates and don't read the article. Hey Phillip, was it really Duffy who interviewed him you m0ron?
  98. Bryan London Ontario from Canada writes: That a boy J Kay, you have been on here for weeks praising Dion. Maybe you would like to figure out why a grade 6 student could figure out the question and Dion could not. If you personally find the question that difficult you are "special" yourself!