Stupid Parrot
So I catch an ad today in which Steven Harper says “the fundamentals of our economy are strong”.
Why is he parroting John McCain? I mean, it’s not like that phrase has worked out so well for McCain. The latest poll has Obama up by 9 with 83% of Americans thinking the country is on the wrong track.
Now the thing is, I actually agree with Harper on this one – the fundamentals of our economy ARE strong, although I attribute that to a strong central bank, enforced regulation, and the Canadian culture.
But why on Earth, with Obama’s popularity in Canada somewhere near 80% would a man running for office want to copy, verbatim, something McCain said that got him in trouble?
At the very least you’d think Harper would add a line about how we’re different from Americans with regards to our economy but no, he just comes off as McCain for Canada.
I admit I’m concerned about a Conservative majority and many polls I’ve seen seem to validate that concern but what would be worse is if they get it without trying. That would only further embolden them, it would convince them they’re on the right path and that Canadians won’t hold them accountable for, for example, making a mockery of global environmental initiatives, conferences, and agreements.
Plus there’s the conservative candidate who lost his real estate license for serious ethics breaches and the Agriculture minister of all people who decided it was a good idea to make fun of the people who died or got sick from recent meat contamination.
But who is going to save us?
The NDP are having even more serious problems on account of their failing to vet their candidates appropriately.
The Greens are gaining ground with more detailed policy prescriptions and getting in the leadership debate plus their MP, although I would argue he’s a gimmick until he’s actually elected while running as a Green. But as much progress as the Greens are making, they aren’t going to form the next government.
The Liberals have been making some progress lately but as far as I’m concerned most of that is to due the people who lost the bid for leader. Credit to Dion for mobilizing his former rivals so well and quickly but the best Liberal stuff I’m hearing lately is coming from Bob Rae or Ujjal Dosanjh.
And the thing is the election is pretty much up for grabs. Remember, Obama has 80% support in Canada – the first person or party to, slickly of course, associate themselves with Obama can win this thing.
Here’s one way to do it. As I mentioned before, bring Afghanistan back to the table. But in order to effectively talk about the future of Afghanistan you have to acknowledge that a change in leadership south of the border will have a significant impact on that situation. Commit yourself to assisting with Obama’s efforts to refocus on Afghanistan once he’s elected and pulls American troops put of Iraq and you’re home.
It’s pretty much a race. First to do it wins largely because the second they do it they can point the finger at the other two major parties and say they’ve been playing politics while Canadians are dying in a deteriorating situation. All you need is a sentence and if something prevents you from saying it, leak it through anonymous backchannels. Just saying “While my opponents have been attacking everyone else I’ve been developing a comprehensive strategy to work with an Obama administration for success in Afghanistan to ensure the Canadian lives lost in that conflict have not been in vain and secure North America and the world against the threats of the twenty-first century while promoting peace and the stability needed for the rebuilding of Afghanistan into a sustainable ally and trading partner”. Boom, you get the Conservatives who want more military spending, the Greens with the environmental nod of sustainability and agreement with a big part of their plan, and the NDP who lean left and probably all love Obama.
