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Tories unveil ads showing Harper's softer side
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Thu. Sep. 4 2008 3:32 PM ET
The Conservatives have rolled out a new ad aimed at giving Prime Minister Stephen Harper a softer image as the Liberals end their caucus meeting early to prepare for an election call.
Leader Stephane Dion had been scheduled to give a speech in Winnipeg on Thursday morning, but it was cancelled. Party MPs have headed to the airport in advance of an election that most expect will be called Sunday.
Sources have said that Harper will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean on Sunday morning and ask her to dissolve Parliament. The election is expected to be set for Oct. 14.
The Tories don't appear to be waiting for an official election call to get their message out. In their latest ads, a smiling Harper talks to Canadians about immigration and immigrants. He also salutes veterans in others. All of the ads end with the text "We're better off with Harper."
"The ads were shot at Harrington Lake over the summer," CTV's Rosemary Thompson told Newsnet on Thursday. "He's got his sweater on and he's sitting beside the fireplace. They're very positive ads and they're the second wave of ads we've seen this week."
For months, the Tories have been running attack ads against Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, so this is a change of pace, she said.
The Tories have benefited from strong fundraising. They have more money than they can legally spend during the election campaign, so they can afford to run ads in this pre-writ period, Thompson said.
The ads fill the role of allowing Canadians to get to know Harper a bit better, she said, noting that the prime minister is by nature a very private person.
"In one of the ads, he's talking about love of family," he said. "It's a very rare glimpse of Stephen Harper."
Thompson said the ads may also be designed to raise Harper's appeal among women, as his ratings are much higher with men.
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.
Comments are now closed for this story
Brett IN Montréal
said
Greg in the Hammer
said
Increasingly Mr Dion in the last few weeks at least in public is coming across as jumpy and flighty and lacking in focus or principle. He's changing his "Green Shift" on the fly to satisfy vulnerable MPs which makes me think the whole thing was written on the back of an envelope to begin with.
If Mr Harper is the most right wing Prime Minister we've ever had, then Mr Dion would surely qualify as the most left wing Prime Ministerial hopeful we've ever had, perhaps even more so than Trudeau.
But then again he has to be. The Conservatives "scary right wing agenda" hasn't materialized and so he has to try and curry favour with those who might vote NDP otherwise.
Its going to be interesting.
Craig in Calgary
said
They are not funded by taxpayers money.
It is extremely disappointing that the terms "right-wing", "conservative" and "American" have now become slurs.
I am embarassed to being Canadian these days. People like to pretend that Canadians are tolerant and polite but whenever I show my support for the prime minister, or congratulate him on the job he's doing, all I get is "You should move to America". Disappointing.
Matt
said
I'm not a Conservative voter, but I do know that their advertising money does not come out of public funds. They raised it legitimately through fund raisers and are legally entitled to spend it on advertising. Keep in mind that the two major US presidential candidates have already spent close to 400 million dollars and their election is still months away.
After the election is called in Canada, all parties will have to account for their election funding as it is strictly regulated.
Every governing party spends money on advertising. They are in power, it is easier to make money. But it is the party - not the government - who foots the bill.
Greg in the Hammer
said
Its their money to spend not tax money. They can do with it as they wish.
Shoe
said
Dan
said
Paul (Ottawa)
said
I personally welcome ads like this, as no leader is one-sided. People are a complex blend of motives and influences, so it's nice to see a further light on one of our leaders. I'd welcome similar ads that show more of Mr Dion's personality.
Rob Doyle
said
Jeff Lewis
said
Actually, no. It isn't. We have campaign spending laws that limit how much can be spent regardless of where that money comes from.
The Harper Tories are currently under investigation for possibly breaking that law in Quebec during the last election when they allegedly funneled expenses by having candidates who were under their limit buy ads for those who were over.
Remember the raid on Conservative MP offices? That's what that was all about.
And don't give me that 'everyone does it' or 'it's a stupid law' rubbish. The Tories RAN on accountability and rule of law platform.
How fast they forget...
Brian L
said
Mr Dion should be given the "dilly dally" award , even comming out a head of Paul Martin .Already he is changing his mind on the "green shift plan " or more appropriately called the "Green Shaft plan "
Nfld in Ont
said
Dion's Carbon Plan was a strategic move to play on the public's fear of global warming. It was a good strategy given the hype in the past few years. Unfortunately, as with everything Dion touches, the execution has failed miserably to the point that any good intentions are being used against him and he seems unable to defend himself.
Admittedly, Harper needs to focus more on managing the environment (I say managing not fixing because I don't fully believe it is as broken as some suggest) but I have more confidence in his leadership having a real (positive) environmental impact in the long run than either of the Green/NDP/Liberal tax plans.
One sign of a good leader is that they make unpopular decisions but maintain the confidence of the public. The polls certainly reflect that with Harper. I was a lifetime Liberal but voted Conservative in 2004 out of disgust for Liberal arrogance. This time I’ll vote Conservative because it’s the “right” thing to do.
Jack M., Calgary
said
John Williamson
said
brenda
said
Marcel
said
bunny
said
I think these ads are better than attacking Dion, it does no good for anyone.Dion is able to look off kilter alone.
SKYE
said
Harper doesnt want the public to really know him because he would be gone like a shot and Dion wouldn't be much better
It surprises me that when ever someone gets into politics their minds seem to go to mush and they only do what the money baggs tell them to do and not stand up and voice a intelligent thought as to what the people they reresent want or need.
When small countries can give their citizens proper health, dental, prescription care, great education - elementry, secondary and university at little or no cost and they all have good, safe food and safe housing why can't the bigger ones like Canada do it without the different class of citizens being looked after differently and the major loop holes in the income tax for wealthy citizens and where refugees live better than some of our own born in canada citizens.
It doesn't bode well for us and look at the MPs who are leaving politics or are facing criminal charges.
First of all a criminal check should be madatory, background checks on all who want to run in public life made public and a track record of their performances should also be manditory. Also the ability to live on minimum wage with no assistance or credit cards or expense accounts so that they know what the average person they are representing lives like.
A prime minister must allow the elected representatives speak to the media without their speeches being censored after all this land has free speech.
C.J. in Edmonton
said
Gail
said
Ryan
said
Cyril
said
Speaking of not following an American agenda - Isn't it the Liberals who are trying to hitch their wagon to Obama's donkey!
Marc Kobayashi, Markham
said
1.Free votes in the House of Commons (see Bill Casey)
2.Balanced budgets
3.No appointed Senators (see Michael Fortier)
4.Intolerance to floor crossing (see David Emerson who will now never face voters)
5.Stop to cronyism (see Jim Flaherty)
6.Respect of the democratic process (see Chuck Cadman, “Tory handbook on disrupting Parliament”, Brent Barr)
7.A made-in-Canada environmental plan (2.5 year later and nothing but the empty “Canada is Taking the Lead…” line)
8.The Kelowna Accord
9.The Atlantic Accord (put it in writing for Danny Williams)
10.No taxation on Income Trusts
11.New childcare spaces
12.Accountability & Transparency (see Linda Keen, Maxime Bernier, 10 percenters, In-&-Out, Justice Gomery, access to information database)
13.Fixed election dates (HIS OWN LAW!!!)
Harper has proven himself to be nothing but an untrustworthy hypocritical flip-flopper, and has decimated the once honorable adage about Conservatives: “They do what they say they’ll do”. Apparently, not anymore.
Mr. Harper, it’s time to take your ball & and "soft side" and go home permanently. Bring on the election!
Marcel
said
Torontonian
said
And does anyone know what the key platform for the Conservatives are going to be in this election? They seem to be going into this election with no substance and intend on running a negative campaign against the Liberals and trying their hardest to create this alter-ego for Harper. To me, that doesn't win elections. Once the Liberals place ads comparing Harper to Bush and showing Canadians the numerous undemocratic acts that the Tories have done (In-and-out scheme, Bernier, Cadman affair, etc.), Canadians will wake up and realize that this government resembled Soviet-style authoritarianism instead of a Canadian parliamentary democracy.
Peter
said
The term "right wing" is thrown around too loosley in this country.
RS
said
Abolish the Senate
said
Rather, and this is becoming more clear from the Web 2.0 Obama campaign, that the people can and do want to be engaged, so do away with lofty houses and let the people in. More political engagement using the web before the law is passed and we can do away with Senators flying to Dubai to tell us about the mission in Afghanistan.
That's the Liberal way...
said
So what can Grit supporters do? Well they bash the one leader who Canadians do respect which is Prime Minister Harper.
That's the Liberal way.
Marc (Ottawa)
said
The scary part in this is that even if the election is called, the end result may very much remain the status quo we see presently - a minority Conservative government. But even then, Harper will have drained the near-depleted coffers of the Liberals and gained a second 4-year mandate with an even weaker opposition. Politics in Canada seem to be very much like no-limit poker in that respect. Dion should have known that when he went all-in and Harper called his bluff.
jay
said
Proud to be an American though, right?
Its not a slur to be pro-canadian.
OttawaRon
said
We know we will pay 15.5 billion in taxes but what is done with that seems to be a bit fluid -- that means the Liberals get to do whatever they want with it --- just as the Conservatives said - a tax grab.
Jaid
said
Smearing your opponent will always happen in the world of politics.
You can say how Conservative platform has no substance and how the Liberal platform lacks details, fact is, we will always judge a book by its cover.
If you were to ever take a neutral side and then go out and vote, chances are that to come to a decision, it'll take until the next election when you can decide for yourself.
Rob in B.C.
said
Cool Blue
said
Marcel,
Did you realize DION has announced $900 million in spending (Green Shaft shift) in the lst two days, ironic three or four days befor the next election campaign?
I believe that brings his total for proposed new spending to over $160 billion.
Pete Cantelon
said
Smitherenzes in Alberta
said
Outside an election campaign, political parties can spend as much money as they which on advertising or other party expenses. It is during the campaign that they are regulated.
The money parties spend outside a campaign is not tax dollars, it is raised privately. After a campaign the parties are paid according to the vote percentage.
Thats pretty much the only way liberals can raise money. Their own MPs don't even donate to their party.
Woland
said
"Keep in mind that the two major US presidential candidates have already spent close to 400 million dollars and their election is still months away."
You're wrong there, Matt. Barack Obama himself will have spent over 1 billion dollars when all is done! An all-time presidential campaign record. Thank goodness for our system!
JJ
said
Jools
said
John P
said
Richard
said
Acroyear
said
We have The Conservatives saying there is no environmental crisis and btw, gays & lesbians & single moms shouldn't have the same rights as the rest of us because the bible tells us so.
We have The Liberals saying that taxing carbon fuels (the base of the economy) to force people to use alternatives (which... aren't... currently.... available.... at least not in a viable, useful alternative) won't hurt the economy or force up prices, or that if they do, a one to two percent reduction in income tax will off set it. Hey! Morons? The provinces and municipalites are going to have to pay more for oil and diesel (something they use a lot of) and will just up our provincial and property taxes! Just remember folks, same party that brought you the 1 billion dollar gun registry that has oh so dramatically lowered gun crime... NOT!
Then we have The Bloc...a federal party that runs on a platform of breaking up the country!
Then the next alternative, The NDP, is one that believes in sinking a city/province/country into massive deficits in order to try to push forward their (admittedly, often good) agenda's...but with no way to sustain them in the long run.
And then the Green's... who so far as I can see literally only have a single platform. Excuse me, but while saving the world is a laudible goal, there REALLY are terrorists and other threats to our country that can't be solved with a good cry and a cup of camomile tea!
Charles Edgar
said
Harper declined opportunites to help the manufacturing sector (350,000 jobs lost in Ontario) until an election started to loom. Now he opens his purse, why should we not be cynical? Will this be another broken promise? I still the income trust reversal.
Why should we trust anything he says if he is going to break his own election law? He sounds like a kid who wants to take his ball and go home because the other kids won't follow him. Does he forget he is an elected Prime Minister, not an emperor?
Why did he call for by elections if he expected to call a national election? I think he paniced because of the upcoming American election.
He says the minority government wasn't working, but from all the analysis I have seen and read it was a productive (and long lasting session)why can't it continue, given that the prospects are for another minority.
He hasn't done anything about Caledonia yet talks of being tough on crime, yet allows mob rule.
PLEASE someone find me a leader with integrity!!!
my take on this
said
Greg in the Hammer wrote:
warm and fuzzy Harper. Steve looks as comfortable as a penguin at the equator.
Rob Doyle wrote:
He knows how to lead.
Wrong, Stephen Harper knows how to dictate.
Gail wrote:
I wonder why the left always promote his bully side.
Duh!
Peter wrote: he provided an open vote on gay marriage
Have you wondered why?
GTA
said
Ry
said
If this isn't an Oscar performance of a lifetime, I'm not sure what is.
Raymond
said
I agree: Harper can be damned tough...but I would much rather have someone with a spine leading this country than what we are seeing from the official opposition.
Conservatives CUT taxes NOT raises them
said
George Fraser, Brighton, ON
said
Rob
said
E Bird Kitchener ON
said
Dale Wilson
said
The people's mandate should have been respected
said
That being said, I am somewhat perplexed why traditional Liberal voters would consider voting for Dion. It behooves reason and logic.
I will not be voting Liberal this fall. The Prime Minister will get my vote as I believe he is the only leader who has shown dignity, poise and leadership despite the raucous noise of the opposition who have demonstrated great intolerance for the government and disrespect for the voters who put them there.
They may have had a minority but they had the mandate from the people of Canada and was never respected by Mr. Dion or Layton who should have tried to make Parliament work which they obviously did not.
They act like the Conservatives have no right being there when in fact they had the peoples mandate.
That kind of attitude does not deserve the peoples support in a democracy. Where does Dion and Iggy get the right to ignore the peoples mandate and try to force their own agenda by always being uncooperative with the Government?
Opposition yes, but gross intolerance and disrespect for voters NO!
Connie
said
Randy
said
Lance
said