It seems the Conservatives are threatening to play old videos of Michael Ignatieff, likely out of context, saying things they say show he is not a good leader.
Of course, that leaves open the old stuff of Harper saying:
"Canada appears to be content to become a second-tier socialist country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its' second rate status".
And I'm sure there are worse things that Harper said -- but my sense is that Harper was taken somewhat out of context and even if he wasn't, people do change their thinking over time.
George Wallace was a strong supporter of segregation -- by the time of his death he was completely converted. Wallace became a born-again Christian in the late 1970s and apologized for his earlier segregationist views to black civil rights leaders. He said while he once sought power and glory, he realized he needed to seek love and forgiveness. His term as Governor (1983–1987) saw a record number of black appointments to government positions
Now, Wallace was an extreme case and it's fair to ask what is the "real agenda" of a political figure. But what matters is not so much what was said long ago in another context -- what matters is what is said and done now.
And if we judge Harper on his record to date and what he is saying now, well, maybe a focus on the economy and substantial issues might be a good idea? Whatever you might say about Preston Manning, he was (is) a man of ideas who didn't stoop to personalities.
8 comments:
In three elections anything Harper has said that would hurt him has already been trotted out, like your quote there. Ignatieff has said and written a lot of things and much of it was said with no apprehension of ever trying to run for election. I'd be a little more worried about were I you, the Ignatieff quotes will be new, and likely devastating.
The expression "that was then, and this is now" makes sense in this situation, but Ignatieff will have to be tough to weather the storm ahead. When the dark clouds of the Harper government have cleared, hopefully Canada will have a new leader and a bright future. Make it so.
Except that Stephen Harper said in 2006 "I don't think my fundamental beliefs have changed in a decade".
So, whatever Harper has said since the late 1990's at least is fair game, sir!
And since he is going back even longer on Iggy, so should the Libs.
The Rat by name The Rat by nature.
I think this is all hyperbole. What could Ignatieff say in public that is worse than some of Harper's quotes. I am not an Ignatieff supporter but this is getting absurd. Secret tapes, parliament proroguing etc.... I believe that Harper, like Nixon was in the US, is a serious and real threat to democracy in Canada.
Agreed KirbyCairo. If the Liberals start dragging out old Harper quotes they will bore the electorate to death. Canadians want hope and inspiration for the future. Counter the attack ads with positive ads promoting Ignatieff's vision for Canada. Harper's only dream for Canada is a nightmare.
The video tapes of MI taking a position, and then changing positions, are less than 1 year old.
ex: supporting Dion as the duly elected leader of the Coalition, with 100% support for the accord.
Wilson, Harper's failure to understand the severity of the economic downturn and deliver a budget to provide relief and stimulus were what led to the Coalition. Ignatieff has said from the beginning that his priority is try to make the government work, not force an election. What you call inconsistency is what I call responsible leadership.
Bwahaha! Even if those broke-@ss Libs could put an ad together, 25,000 hits on you tube does not a viral ad make!
C'mon lefties, put your money where your mouth is! The party of (formerly) big corporations needs your cash quick!
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