Harper Has Just As Much To Lose
Sound Off!
Got something to say?
Sound off in Comments
Sound off in Comments
Share This Blog Post
Can't see the 'ShareThis' icon? Reload your page view by pressing Shift and clicking Refresh at the same time.The other day, Gormley and I were musing over what the hot topic would be on October 15th if we are facing a mirror-reflection government - Dion leading the Opposition, and Harper leading a minority government.
Our answer has become obvious...we're going to be talking leadership.
If Stephen Harper cannot pull off an ass-kicking of monumental proportions - a landslide of a majority - the knives will come out and the Liberal party won't be the only party with leadership up for grabs.
For Harper, running against Stephane Dion really shouldn't be as difficult as it has been during this campaign. Instead, it seems that in this final stretch the only thing Dion has going for him is the fact that he isn't Stephen Harper.
I wonder how the 2008 campaign would have panned out if someone like Peter MacKay or Jim Prentice was running against Dion.
Or if it was Michael Ignatieff squaring off against Harper.
If Stephen Harper doesn't succeed in bringing the Tories any farther ahead this time around...if he wakes up on October 15th leading another minority government, he won't be leading one for long.
Tammy Robert is the Executive Producer of 'The John Gormley Live Show' - listen live every weekday morning from 8.30am - 12.30pm on NewsTalk 650 or NewsTalk 980.
Comments
Good entry, Tammy. I often
Good entry, Tammy. I often don't agree with a whole lot you say, but I think you are bang on with your assessment here.
I think the turning point for Harper was last week at the debates. He didn't seem comfortable there and when he was asked a question, he either failed to look at the camera or didn't answer the question directly. The fact that he didn't have a platform prior to the debate didn't help him either. While I do not believe that a platform alone will influence someone's decision, not having one released was another piece of ammunition for the opposition against Harper. He was called on it a couple of times during the debate.
You would think that this election would be a slam dunk for Harper, but it has been far from it.
The media does share some responsibility too. The public relies on the media to bring information to them. Unfortunately, instead of reporting the facts, stories are often spun so that it appears that it is favoring one side. And Canadians are often too lazy or just plain uninterested to inform themselves and make their own conclusions, so they go along with what the media says and as long as a so-called "expert" can make some sense of it, the average Joe/Jane will say to themselves "that makes sense" and not question it further. Unfortunately, many opinions are formed based on what "experts" say.
I guess the biggest question is: who is best equipped to handle the economy? I would argue that Harper best represents what is in the best interests of Canada. The Lib/NDP/Green have shown us that the answer to the crisis is to tax and spend like drunken sailors instead of acting prudent in what may be troubling times. At the end of the day, I voted for Harper because I don't want to be taxed to death like the other parties are proposing and Harper has demonstrated to me that we can ride this wave.
Harper Has Just As Much To Lose
Actually Tammy, the purpose of this election for Harper/the Conservatives was not necessarily to win a majority, at least according to Tom Flanagan, if I recall correctly.
Yes, a majority would be nice and preferred, but the long-term strategy is to push the Liberals further into debt and force another leadership contest for them.
While I agree with your comments that if the Conservatives cannot win a majority now when will they - but I also understand the approach that 2 steps forward and once back may be the only way to gain majority status in a divided Canada these days. The soft middle of the Electorate is very volatile and switches allegiances at the drop of a hat.
The Erection
My prediction is that the Liberals get a minority, what I want is a Conservative majority.
Just look into the past.The Liberals promised to get rid of the GST and did nothing but pay off their friends in the Sponsorship Scandal.The Liberals sent our troops into afganistan with forest green camo uniforms, why not just put a target on their backs.The liberals shut down military bases across canada, then complain that Harper is a friend to the USA.Well the USA better be our friends when we can't defend ourselves because the liberals destroyed our military.What about the millions the liberals spent on the subs that don't float, what about the Helicopters that don't fly.
With Harper in , my dollar went up thus increasing my purchasing power, the GST down by 2%, money in my pocket.I'm glad he shut down the income trusts, now everyone has to pay their fair share.
Dion is offering anything and everything to get in .He says he'll raise taxes and increase jobs, Huh, how do you do that when companies won't start up in canada when he's raised taxes.He now sounds like he is against the afganistan mission, well his party sent the troops there.Dion's constant rants that Harper is a Bush Buddy are insane, Bush is gone in 3 months.What are the liberals standing for ?
By the way gas is at $127/liter in Kelowna BC , not $108/liter.
Dion is a liar and if he gets in he will screw up the 3 western provinces,and save quebec and ontario, if he gets in my next vote will be for the western 3 alliance party [BC, ALTA, SASK], WHY DOES QUEBEC GET THEIR OWN PARTY AND WE GET THE SHAFT!!!!
I fear Dion's fearmongering will work. He will inherit a good economy on false pretenses and he'll ruin canada
Add New Comment