CTV.ca | Harper says pooping puffin was 'tasteless'

Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper answers reporters' questions at a campaign stop in Winnipeg on Tuesday Sept. 9, 2008. (Tom Hanson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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The image of a puffin 'pooping' on Liberal Leader Stephane Dion's shoulder was removed from a Conservative attack website.

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This combination photo shows Liberal Leader Stephane Dion snowshoeing and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper holding a baby.

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Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is seen fishing in this undated photo from the Liberal Party website.

Harper says pooping puffin was 'tasteless'

Updated Tue. Sep. 9 2008 11:06 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has apologized for an animation on a Tory website that showed a puffin pooping on Liberal Leader Stephane Dion.

"It was tasteless and inappropriate. We have enough differences with the Liberals without getting into that kind of thing. So it has been removed and my apologies for it having been up," Harper said during a news conference in Winnipeg.

The image was on the Conservative website notaleader.ca from late Monday until early Tuesday morning, when it was removed after reporters raised it during a news conference with Dion.

The website slams Dion and appears aimed at attracting mainstream media-shunning younger voters.

It contains such features as a "Dion excuse generator" where users can send an email to a friend using a Dion quote, such as "I didn't get it done," as an excuse.

The site is a mix of flash and html applications that give users the opportunity to:

Create and share their own campaign ads
Play a Liberal policy gambling game
Visit the "Dionbook," a Facebook knock-off
Engage in street debating - a mixture of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter
Get campaign updates on the NAL (not a leader) news site

Dion dismissed the site and vowed that he will take the high road in the election campaign.

"This is saying more about them than about us," Dion said. He added: "I want to clarify my answer -- not about them, about him, because I know most Conservative voters will disagree with that and they may change their vote."

The Liberals have launched their own website, scandalpedia.ca, which mimics Wikipedia in an attempt to highlight controversies that have dogged the Conservatives.

Outdoorsy Dion

Also on Monday, the Liberal campaign team launched a new website designed to help Canadians get better acquainted with an outdoorsy, athletic Stephane Dion they may not have seen before.

The website dubbed "ThisisDion.ca" features new images and videos of the Liberal leader and seems intended to combat the nerdy professor image the Conservatives have put forward. The Tories' own attack site notaleader.ca was launched Monday night.

In some of the pictures, Dion is shown outdoors, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and spending time with his dog and his family.

In one of the videos he is shown playing floor hockey.

The site also introduces Dion's wife Janine Krieber and their daughter Jeanne.

The website also portrays Dion as having steely resolve on issues such as separatism and the Clarity Act, and strong experience on the world stage.

True character

A feisty Dion said Tuesday the campaign is intended to show Canadians his true character, as opposed to how he has been portrayed over the past 18 months in Conservative attack ads.

He told a news conference that it's important Canadians learn about who he really is.

"People will need to know that because I will affect their life, if as I hope, they choose me as their prime minister," Dion said.

Though he acknowledged he is an intellectual who loves to read, Dion said he is also an avid outdoorsman and an everyday Canadian who grew up in a family of five children raised on a single income.

Dion also said he's not wealthy.

"Canadians need to know I'm not a rich man. I have a life like anyone else. We have a discussion at the end of the month about how to pay the bills," he said.

A Liberal news release said the site is intended to show how Dion's "love for such quintessentially Canadian pastimes has fostered his love for Canada -- a united Canada -- which compelled him to leave a successful career as an educator to enter politics."

CTV parliamentary correspondent Graham Richardson reported Tuesday that the Liberals have been working hard to fight the image put forward by the Conservatives that Dion is weak and ineffective.

"Image is everything, pictures are everything, especially in a battle like this where you're talking about the personality of the leader," Richardson told CTV's Canada AM.

Please Add Comments( )

James

Liberal leader Stephane Dion is doing his best. Although I would never vote Liberal, I do respect this man for trying hard to run some sort of a party. It looks like a big sausagefest to me.

Stephane Dion is a weak political leader who will only raise taxes and side with the Green party.

Personally, I like what I know of Stephane Dion as a person. I think he would be fun to party with, have a beer with and would be a good travel companion. He seems like a lot of fun when he is not truyiong so hard to b.s. the Canadian people.

LEADERSHIP: You either have it or you don't

The truth is Dion IS weak and ineffective and that can easily be seen by how easily he gets flustered, confused and rattled at news scrums. He would never cut it in a national emergency which could happen.

Stephane Dion is not a leader as the Conservative ads rightly portray.

Just because he likes to fish and wear a t-shirt won't turn him into a leader anymore than living in a garage will make you a mechanic. Dion simply doesn't have what it takes and everybody knows it.

Bob C

I just can't picture a man who shook his young son's hand on the first day of school is now the baby-feeding, warm cuddler.

Crazy Jim

- Separatism and the Clarity Act. are not issues in this election.

- Dion's own aloofness created his public image.

- Dion recently said that they're "not going to try to reinvent personalities" then blasted Jack Layton because he "think's he's Barack Obama"

Jimmy B (Perth Ontario)

While Mr.Dion is probably a very nice person outside of politics no matter what the Liberals do to try to change how he is perceived publicly will not likely work. You can't make a leopard change his spots just like you can't make Mr.Dion any different than he has already portrayed himself. The man is what he is and quite frankly, while he is very smart he lacks true leadership qualities and clout. The liberal party should have taken that into account when they elected him as their leader in the first place.

Vahan

All these years groups have been fighting the portrayal or women in media and especially how thin models were enforcing negative body images for young girls and the perception of what beautiful is supposed to be. Now we have grown men who are trying to portray themselves as an everyday man, your buddy who brings the beer to the party, the guy who will change your baby's diaper. I don't want my buddy running a country. My buddies can't get their lives together. I want someone smarter than the people I hang out with. Someone with grand ideas of where he could take us into the future, someone with vision. The buddy image is for my buddies. The PM of a country should be above that, after all we are trusting him with our future.So please stop with the dummy down of the leaders image and show us the platform.

Stephen from Montreal

You can't sell me Dion's image. He has earned his stripes. He has been a confusing, pointless leader of the equally confused and almost irrelevant Liberal party. At a time when we need strength and clarity Stephen Harper is the clear choice. I can't wait to see the debates.

Marcel

This is a very good move by Mr. Dion. Instead of Mr. Harper and the Conservatives defining Mr. Dion, he can do it himself. Thank you.

Nfld in Ont

Let's start this thread off on a positive note...

I'd just like to say thanks to Mr. Dion and Mr. Harper (and other well intended politicians) for doing their best to make this nation a better place.

They know their personal lives will be under the microscope and they open themselves up to personal attacks but they do it anyway because regardless of their platforms, they care more about this nation than themselves.

I can't believe Dion is trying to run this campaign himself. Even Trudeau...didn't have such hubris. This is going to be funnier than anything on the Comedy Channel…

PrairieDog-Prairies

To Bob: Harper shook his sons hand instead of hugging him because his son wanted it that way. A young man/teenager/middle schooler can get a bit embarrassed if the whole world is watching his PM father hug him on TV. So instead of people attcking him for that, maybe you should be that tolerant person you lefties always say you are. Dion is imploding. He will never be PM no matter how they try to make him look and he will indeed, lose a great many seats.

Earl Robert

I agree that Dion has been a confusing, pointless leader of an equally confused and irrelevant Liberal party. Stephen Harper is the clear choice.

Thisguy

How about some articles about how the Green Party is being denied its democratic right?

Or is this country a two party system like our ignorant neighbours down south....

Gabby In QC

The last sentence in the CTV article says it well: "the *normally* private Harper."

When Harper was being himself - "normally private" - many pundits and journalists ridiculed and criticized his supposed aloofness, coldness, and distance.
So now that he's letting his guard down a little bit, Harper is again being ridiculed as "the guy in the sweater."
Is wearing a sweater now 'verboten'?

As for Dion's sudden "steely resolve" - where was it when it was time to stand up and vote in the House?

Frunk

Stephane Dion's problem is that he is an academic, not a political leader. Academics are used to looking down, not up. A good man, but in the wrong place. His place is in a university.

Doug Hedges

To....... Bob C
Didn't you know that Stephen Harper's son wanted his Dad to shake his hand because because he knew the media would be there? Kids.... you know how they are!

I just can't picture a man who shook his young son's hand on the first day of school as the baby-feeding, warm cuddler.

Robin the Hood

In North America it is personality and other trivialities that win elections and not the "more important" issues - such as the man-made destruction of our planet's climate. Dion does not have the personality to win an election. Although people may think otherwise the electorate in Canada is really not that sophisticated, particularly the "undecided". That being said Dion won the Liberal leadership more due to a procedural fluke and this election could be very different with another Liberal leader... Sorry Mr. Dion. You are correct on the issues but Canadians will mostly base their decision on you as a PM in the voting booth. Unfortunately, the planet and society will further pay the price for another Liberal Party mistake.

Gail

It's a little late for Mr. Dion to define himself. I can't believe that people think it's cold for a father to shake his son's hand at school when children are all about image to their friends. This Ontarian believes in the proof of real action/decision-making and follow through which Mr. Dion failed to do when the Liberals were in power. His socialist ideology also scares me, and the fact that he portrays himself as being in the middle. To me that's scary.

Michael L

It's not the Conservatives that have portrayed Dion as weak, it's his actions. I ask all Canadians, would you want Dion negotiating with Obama/McCain on issues like NAFTA?

PS I'm voting Green, not because I want them to win, but because I feel as though their message is important and needs to be added to the political discourse.

maggie c in sudbury

I agree with Leadership.

Dion just doesn't cut it.

Road to hell is paved with good intentions

I'd just like to say thanks to Mr. Dion and Mr. Harper (and other well intended politicians) for doing their best to make this nation a better place."

Nice sentiment, however, Dion's outrageous socialistic taxation schemes will not make Canada a better place and that is the crux of the issue. In fact, it's Dion's only platform election issue.

As for intentions: The road to hell is literally paved with good intentions. Good alone doesn't cut it in politics. It takes more than that and Dion simply doesn't have what it takes.

Gone Fishing

Rugged - like the old suit that gets left in the bottom of the suitcase after you get home from working out of town.

The only thing rugged about the Liberal leader is that he must have fought a lot harder in private than in public to keep Rae or Ignatieff from winning the last convention.

The Liberals must have taken a lamb to slaughter and felt the need to be totally crushed in order to rebuild.

James

Unlike Pierre Trudeau, Liberal leader Stephane Dion has distanced himself too far from the Canadian people... He needs to be more humble and pretend he is less of an aristocrat. Canadians are not impressed by this charming done by Mr. Dion and they are not fooled by his election platform of raising taxes. He should know, charity begins at home.

cantuc

Yep ,first we have Jack Obama and now we're getting Sarah Dion. Is he going to kill a moose and show up for press conferences driving a Ski-doo? Tough sleddin ,seems like.

Gerry

Next, we'll see this bronzed Adonis surface for a guest spot with Bob and Doug Mackenzie,
Kyoto checking out the beer cases for any freebies.

R/H

Just can't see this guy as being a true leader. When I hear him talk I immediately see 'Inspector Clouseau', of the Pink Panther Movies. Sorry Dion but you are not a Leader for Canada. You are probably a really nice guy but like they say "Nice Guys Finish Last".

Jack from Moncton

I love the Harperites who spew whatever drivel they hear on Harper ads. If they wanted truth in advertising Harper would tell you that he is an autocrat who has no problem breaking his fixed election laws. You have to lead to be a leader. I haven't been hearing much from his "Team".

my take on this

Stephen Harper only appears at controlled Tory functions and the keyword is controlled. Stephane Dion has been available to the public since day one.
Stephen Harper is trying to convey a different image of himself. Is there a problem Stephen?

Jeff Davidson

It is certainly NOT too late for Dion to define himself to the average voter.

Unlike partisan Conservatives who have followed Harper's every attempt to deceive Canadians, most voters are looking at Dion for the first time.

Granted, Dion will have a tough time fighting Harper's tactics. However, 36 days of Dion bashing may serve to reveal the cynical nature of the Conservative government.

Harper is out of ideas. Dion has a vision.

This will become apparent as the days roll on.

Marie Dunkley

Look at your choices ---
The Block party should have been outlawed as unconstitional by the Supreme court years ago.
The Green Party has gotten every vote in the past as a protest against the incumbent.
Harper's party has broken promises without even an apology. Remember how he turned every Energy Trust holder from a comfortable big spender into a non-tax payer? He makes laws (no election until Nov 2009) and breaks them. The Governor General should have said no to this election as it is against the law.
Jack Layton????
Stephane Dion is smart and thoughtful and not being a politician could be a good thing. Just wish he would realize that we cannot fix the climate. Only the sun can and does, on a regular basis.

Dion is a lame duck

Dion taunted the Prime Minister for two years. Now, when the Prime Minister calls him on it Dion clearly isn't prepared for the election.

- Dion's policy platform is a one trick pony and is wrong for Canadians

- Dion's choice of campaign aircraft is a pollution nightmare and not even ready despite weeks of advanced warning (so much for the "green speak")

- Dion's leadership team are nowhere to be seen (obviously distancing themselves from their leader)

- Dion is now trying to quarterback his own image makeover???

You Liberal supporters especially Gerard Kennedy (who was King maker at the Liberal leadership convention) should be embarrassed for supporting this guy.

Hmmm tougher side - fishing, snowshoeing???

Mr Dion - take up eqestrian sports and then I might think you have a 'tougher' side. Right now I think you are a 'very nice' man but not a leader. Maybe a nice manager to work for but not a leader... I am sorry but you don't have vision or charisma which is what leaders need. I would not 'follow you to the ends of the earth'.

Actually non of the parties leader inspire me at all....

Dave from NB

Does this Green Shift have a certain whif of the National Energy Program on it?

It sounds to me like the perfect means for the Liberal party to punish the West and transfer wealth to Ontario, like it always does.

Geoffrey

All this NONSENSE about Dion not being Prime Ministerial? What the hell is that to begin with? I dont want an ARROGANT, EGOTISTICAL and DISHONEST politician as my Prime Minister. Sounds familiar Canada? Nothing is wrong with quiet strength and diplomacy.
Use your heads Canada. The Conservatives are obviously out in force trying their best to convince us of their qualities. BE VERY CAREFUL!

Roger Beal

In Stephane Dion's forum he is portrayed as not being a rich man and one who requires a monthly account of how he is doing to pay his bills with the money he makes. Well, maybe it's time to act for the rest of Canada and show us how we as middle class earners, pensioners and low income families are going to balance our monthly incomes. I am not at all interested in political bashing. I want to know what your agenda is going to be for the people of Canada - food on our tables, money to pay our bills properly, purchasing power, equal pay for equal work [pay equity] broad base tax reform, etc. It's time to plant your feet firmly, give us a positive agenda and direction if you want my vote.

pierre chamberland

Dion should wake up! I would like to see what kind of discussion he'd have on a normal Canadian salary. For him to say stupid stuff like that is just insulting.

mac

At which staged event is Harper hiding with Party faithful today?

D in NS

Ha.. Come on Mr. Dion, you really don't have to do this to get votes..it won't work.

Why do they think they need to portray him as a sports playing outdoors type when he has always been praised as an indoors academic.

Why? This is just silly. Play on your strengths, develop your platform, tell us what you will do for the average working class family.

The libs need to start taking some notes from the Harper and Layton camps on how to run an election, on how to appeal to your voter base... this is simply not it.

I want to vote for you, but now you're just getting silly. Please, give me at least one reason other than "not to vote for Harper"

Not going to work.

G-Man - Borden

Harper’s Government has been the first in over 25 years to truly support the military and make Canada a true contributor to NATO and UN missions. Go ahead and vote Liberal, and we’ll just end up a joke on the world stage again. We know the Conservative’s vision of the Armed Forces. I’m sure Dion will be behind the troops ‘cause he’ll be too scared to stand in front of them when the Liberals re-introduce their historic inaction and cuts to those who really represent Canada on the world stage.

DM in NB

LMAO

I wish I heard about the site sooner than now.

J M

I am sure someone knew of this ad before it was put out there. These are grown people allegedly knowing right from wrong...and we are supposed to vote for them......nothing surprises me anymore, sadly.

Linda in Vancouver

"Road to hell----" made a good post.More voters need to put aside their partisan party hats,and think about the real issues more seriously.These elections are rarely about agreeing on "what" needs to be done in Canada,but about "how",to get them done,and which are te highest priorities.
More than likely,if money was not a consideration,most of these candidates would be more than happy to grant us our every wish,right now.
But then again,if wishes were horses then beggars would ride.
They do the best they can in a country perhaps not governable by any one party or PM.I can honestly say,to quote Mr.Dion,"it is not easy making these choices".
And "NO",I will NOT be voting Liberal this time.I vote "NO" to socialism for Canada.

Don

Its horrible to imagine that Canadians might vote for a leader (popularity contest) as opposed to what policies each party has. Harper comes across as the winner using this method.

That said, I would vote for Dion over Harper any day of the week. Harper is a bully who can't even keep his own word (fixed election dates. There may be a wide grassroots switch to Dion and May as Oct 14th nears. Harper has his own reasons for calling an election now but he is too secretive to share them with anyone else. This man is not to be trusted.

Environmental issues are of extreme importance. Its time that Canadians stop thinking on a shortsighted basis and instead think of the longterm conditions of this planet. For our childrens' and grandchildrens' sakes.

Wake up, Canada.

Vicki in Saskatoon

What the leaders do in their private lives is their own business. It does not matter in the scheme of things whether Steve hugs his kids or plays games with them. I don't mind Dion's image as a bookish intellectual because at least I know he uses his brain. If Jack wants to use Obama as a role model, go ahead--we all should follow in the footsteps of people we admire. If Elizabeth May holds enough esteem for Dion and his leadership not to run a Green Party candidate against him in his riding, this doesn't make her a Liberal. Perhaps if the other party leaders held back their fear-inspired opposition to her, she would have held back candidates in their ridings as well.

Lets hold the issues under the microscope and get past the superficiality that seems to interfere with voters getting the true facts.

Chris L

All politicians get a bad rap. Are they going to put on a phoney image portraying themselves as saints while painting their opponents as villians? Of course. And party followers just eat this garbage up and keep the lines buzzing with the latest sound bites. At the end of the day, these men and women joined politics because they want to make a difference in the lives of Canadians and are devoting themselves to this end. Is there corruption? Yes. Are there scandals? Yes. All sides that have gained power are guilty and those spewing out the sins of one side shouldn't ignore those of the other. At the end of the day, shut your mouth, listen to the policies, look at the unfabricated history and make the choice you feel best impacts you as a Canadian. I've changed party lines 5 times and have always voted for the side that I felt had my best interest in mind. You should too.

JK in BC

I'm getting really tired of hearing everybody saying that Harper broke his own law. No, he didn't. Do your research before you criticize. That law was put in place for MAJORITY governments. Last time I checked, we only had a minority. Did something change between the last election and now that I missed. Nope, just everybody is quick to criticize before the research is done.

Funny how everyone blasts Dion for his "apparent" lack of leadership while Harper's leadership hinges on control - control of his members, control of the media, control of his image and that of Dion.

Dion hasn't been given a fair shake, which is too bad.

What I wish for is another Conservative minority. The Liberals will replace Dion, hopefully with an Anglo that can match Harper's overbearing attitude...bring the gov down in a year or so...then the Conservatives will boot Harper and with any luck, replace him with some less extreme.

Remember, the conservatives dropped the word PROGRESSIVE for a reason. It's time they stopped being static and got with the program.

Joyce Hillstead

This great grandmother happens to be sick at heart over how we treat one another and treat those brave souls who dare to put themselves on the firing line. Whether it is our soldiers, our political leaders, those doing jobs in our government, anyone sticking their necks out in public have my respect. I have never held this idea, that business is business and personal is personal. Anyone who dares to step out of the box, deserves civility and respect.

Canadians, I am asking that we be civil and decent towards people we may not agree with. The handshake between my Primeminister and his son on the first day of school, doubles my respect for this leader. They knew a good old fashioned handshake says a great deal about character and respect and would say what they needed to say to one another that day.

Alistair McLaughlin

The Conservatives better be careful they don't overdo the pick-on-Dion schtick. They're risking generating sympathy for him. I know I'm starting to feel sorry for the guy. That's not a good sign.

Ken

WHAT A FARCE !!

Devil's advocate

I read the commentaries posted on a regular basis and I must admit, most are uninspiring. The pro-cons of this world do not put forward a single valid argument. It is clear how uneducated the population is in regards to politics and it is worrisome that these are the individuals that will be voting in the next election.

What has Harper truly done for this country? If someone is able to offer an eloquent answer and valid facts, I am ready to listen.

As a political scientist, I am able to decipher what has been done for this country and what the political leaders are putting forward.

Harper does not inspire confidence and he is not trustworthy. I am so proud to live in a democratic country where we have been blessed with the freedom of speech. However, if all one says is GO HARPER! and DION IS WEAK! without validating their commentaries, they would be best to refrain from commenting because their ignorance is blatant.

I sincerely believe that Dion would be an excellent choice for this country and I respect the opinions of others which unfortunately cannot be said about most individuals in these forms.

Paul in BC

Harper has been at these attack ads for the past couple of years. He started them in Quebec to protray Dion as weak. Is it any wonder now the Conservatives assume anything goes. Now we have this extremely tasteless negative and personal attack ad on Dion once again. It only accomplishes in turning people off the real issues. Maybe that is the strategy?

Jeep

Dion will win this election and make the world a better place by working out solutions to the environment crisis. Everyone should realize that it is the first priotity. Of course, there's a price to pay but we should not wait until it is too late with Mr Harper's denial of the problem

Vince M

Last time I saw this kind of stunt was Paul Martin playing air guitar and dancing at a punk rock concert out East the day before the last election. Imagine - looking for votes from people who would likely sleep through election day.

It looked desparate. He looked silly. I'm seeing it all again.

Questionable tactics by a questionable party.

Why must the Conservatives resort to smear-campaigning? Do they honestly think that ther general Canadian public is dumb enough to fall for these types of tactics?

Concentrate on the issues that are important to Canadians and leave the attack ads to the Americans.

Bev

I am not a member of the Liberal party and still think that the Conservative ad was tasteless. I don't believe that the Conservative party did not know about the bird pooping ad. If the Conservatives want Canadians to support them in this election they need to take a more respectful attitude towards other parties and stick to the issues.

This is so Harper-style: fire a very nasty and provocative shot at his opponents, then quickly and cowardly recall it, mum something that should look like an apology... then repeat it time and again!

This party and its leader has no moral right to rule any country in the world, let alone Canada

Rob from Winnipeg

I find great irony that the Conservatives are running a "not a leader" web site - In my opinion, Harper's cowardly decision to refuse to debate the Green Party is proof that he has some leadership deficiencies of his own.

E Crawford

Correct me if I'm wrong but did PM Harper not state on national TV that this would be a nasty campaign but that his party would not resort to or initiate attack ads? The only attack ads I've seen have been from his party. Liar liar, pants on fire Stevie!

D in Calgary

An interesting poll (I know another poll) I was shown yesterday said that 84% of people already know who they will vote for. While that number may not be bang on, it is reflected in the comments on sites like these. I'm going to vote how I'm going to vote not because of a leader, but because I share the same values as that party. While it is our democratic right to vote for who ever we want, we owe it to ourselves to know why, and it (in my opinion) should have more substance than who looks like what.

Vince M

"The Conservatives better be careful they don't overdo the pick-on-Dion schtick. "

Hey, there is no way you can overdo this stuff! Its funny and its true!

T in BC

A puffin pooping on an opponent. Wow. That is beyond "tasteless". That's just freakishly weird.
When are they going to graduate out of grade 6!

Jim - DION IS A LONER

Dion always does loner stuff:

hiking
fishing
reading a book
snow shoeing

I guess he likes to be alone with his thoughts, but he doesn't get anyone elses. He seems very introverted and not a real socialable guy.

Gee, do the conservatives have volunteers sitting around ready to jump in to comment sections to tear down the liberals no matter what it is about? Seems like it to me. And, gee, the media posts it.
Let's face it - Harper has been a control freak that has brought less transparency to the government than ever before and has decided to call an election before the results of the committee of the "in-and-out" scandal are released. Harper has never been the "change-the-diaper" type or the touchy-feely guy next door type either. It's all campaign smooze. Don't forget that his young daughter held her hand out to be shook that morning as well as his son - now isn't that unusual for a sweet young little one like her.

Eric

Someone who shakes his son's hand on the first day of school? We ARE talking about the cold Harper here aren't we? because this is exactly what he has done.

Mel from Calgary

People have commented 'who you would rather negotiate NAFTA?" It wouldn't be Harper, look at his softwood lumber "deal"?

Who we want negotiating on our behalf is someone who actually likes Canada and wants us to remain a sovereign nation.

Torontonian

Stay tuned for early October! Couillard's book is being published in both languages early so it can be released BEFORE the election day! The media's going to be on that right away and this negative publicity is going to sting the Tories. (Article is on CTV's website). What timing!

Keeping it Real

Yeah the Cons are mean and ruthless but lets keep things real.
The world is not a nice place. People are trying to kill us. they don't like our religion, they don't like our politics.
China wants to control the world Economy, all their people, but doesn't want to control their pollution.
Iran is run but a nutbar,
The middle east could explode at any minute.
Who do you want at the helm the next time we are under attack.
Remember the cold war? I Do.
Remember 9/11, I do.
Ask the Georgians if they feel safe.
Ask the Afgani's if they feel safe?
Ask the Chineese if they feel free
Stephen may not be a Mr Bean - little guy - that is a nice guy, but I believe when push comes to shove, he will push right back, and be at the front of the line when we need him and he and his crew will be a lot more able to defend us......
Stephan, I'm sure you are a nice guy, and when the world is a nice place I'm sure you will make a great PM.........

EM Smythe

I am so turned OFF by this election that I may not vote for the first time in my adult life. I was already angry that the election was called in the first place. Now that the smear campaign is on full force, I could give a flying fig about any of them, liberal or conservative. If Harper wanted to ensure the smallest voter turnout in Canadian History, he certainly began his campaign of juvenile behaviour on the right foot. For him to say he had no idea what was on the website was a cop out.

harper can't be trusted

Funny ad! Except the poopin' puffin is Harper and the poopees are the Canadian people and it's laws. Fixed election law, anyone? Accountability? Income trust? Harper's support of BC's carbon tax. This sounds alot like the "I was for it before I was against it" routine that Bush thought was so funny in 2004.

Jerry Green

This isn't going to amount to much on October 14th. BUT, fire the moron who greenlighted this. I can't believe this is how they spend the money I donate.

Vince M

Harper 10 points up on Liberals and flirting with majority. McCain/Palin now pulling away from the Democrats. Could be a good year after all.

RantMan

RantMan saw the pooping puffin; it was pretty lame and he forgot about it until reporters made it an issue. Tempest in a teapot.

The rest of the website, especially the pokes at Garth Turner & Elizabeth May, is quite funny, however.

Marcel

I have not seen the advertisement. However, Mr. Harper and his party are acting in a disgraceful manner and that why I hope the Canadian public does not re-elect them on October 14. Thank you

Mary Ewen

Pooping puffin?
Who cares,
People make such a big deal,out of nothing.
Mr. D'Yawn of, seems to think,he's lily white, calling the P.M. a liar daily.
Liars?
Eliminate the GST? Provide Nationalised Day Care?
Act on the environment,instead of having GHG's rise by over 30% under Lib reign?
Adscam?
The list,could go on,and on.
Lily White Libs?
I don't think so.

Sonja, Toronto

What?!
No more Mr. Nice Guy?!

Shaun

pooping on his head! Ha!

That's gold Jerry gold!

Eric - you are right - Harper shaking hands with his son is definitely grounds to dismiss him from the election. How can someone like this govern??? It is an issue of national importance

Ha ha ha!

These photographs suck! Harper looks like he's a grown up special needs student holding that baby, and Dion looks like a total dork in those snowshoe and fishing pix.

Come on guys! You can both do a little better than that. Who is taking these pictures, and better yet, who is approving them?

But thanks for the laughs today! hee hee...

harper can't be trusted - did you omit the Speonsorship scandal intentionally or do we just not pass judgement on the Liberals anymore?

Dale

Who cares? There are to many parties to vote for so there's just going to be another minority gov't and we're going to be voting again in 18 months. We should have a system similar to the U.S. where there is only 2 parties. Instead we have 2 that don't have a sniff, and 1 that the Cdn taxpayers pay to try and separate the country.

Jeff

Ah so the Mister Rogers we saw on TV last week in his sweater, saying the opposition was going to be very nasty and personal with their attacks, has finally shown his true colours.

CC-western Canada

Please. It would NOT be in Harper's interest to have endorsed this ad. It was a mistake made by someone in the campaign office. Harper was visibly mad at whomever did it. I am quite sure he or she has lost his job by now...whoever he or she is. Harper is a strategist and this is not his doing. He knows something like this would shoot him in the foot.
Harper is by far the best choice for PM and is worthy of a majority. Dion is not a man I want defending Canada's interest. I am sure France would love it though, eh??

JPF

Why is this "story" being carried by CTV at all. This is simply good advertising by the Cons (aka Reform Party). Not only do they get this negative portrayal of Dion on the air, but this "ad" gets lead story treatment from CTV!!
And to have Stevie apologize and say "gee whiz, it is unacceptable and we apologize" only makes the situation worse. Not only is the bad ad carried over the network nationally, but they publish the "apology" making Steve look good whey it is his goons who wrote this garbage in the first place...

Liberal Forever

Go Dion! I am so sick of the conservatives trying to run a smear campaign against the Liberals, blaming them for 13 years of mismanagement. I saw absolutely no change during Harper's run in office, only a lot of blaming the liberals for the mess he was left with. After over 24 months of conservative leadership, we have seen NO change, and no matter what Harper says, he can't keep blaming a government that is no longer in power! Harper is full of empty promises that were never fulfilled, and you can't blame the liberal government forever. I say put the liberals back in charge!

George Q

Stephane Dion commands my deepest admiration and respect. He is weathering an incessant barrage of vicious attacks and still inspiring me like no other federal leader has since Trudeau.

I've noticed that Harper supporters lose their temper at the mere suggestion that the other 2/3 of us should dare open our mouths, let alone have a say in anything.

UNITY of the left, whether today or tomorrow, is how we will eventually stop today's atrocities. We plant the seed today. TOGETHER we will SAVE CANADA.

Joe Calgary

Dion is already doing a good job of looking incompetent. The Tories should back off a bit, and let the nutty professor just implode on his own. The last thing they want to do is create any sympathy for "poor picked on" Dion. BTW, I didn't realize self-proclaimed heroes had such thin skins.

All those attack ads have worked. Humans want to be on the winning team even when it goes against their values. The attack ads won’t stop me from voting for progressive Liberal values, not social conservative values of the (Reform Party).

olebigblue

It is time for decent honourable noble men to step up and lead Canada in a positive direction. Say no to the two clowns and the jester

James T. from Vancouver

Dion has said as late as last month that he is a 'big boy' and doesn't let these personal attacks get to him. He should only comment that these are internal Conservative Party problems and if they want a negative campaign, that is their prerogative.

In any event, the issues for today is do you support cutting Diesel Fuel Taxes (Harper) or doubling the Child Tax Benefit allowance (Dion).

To me the difference is cutting consumption taxes again, which is not advised by any economist to spur any economic growth (Harper). Or ensuring families have more support in the form of cash to help with the most important job of all - raising children (Dion).

Larry

From Winnipeg
Maybe name=calling and childish behaviour are acceptable in the House of Commons but they are not acceptable to most people in Canada during a national election. Grow-up and let's have a civilized debate on the critical issues facing this country and not on the personalities.

Scott Aver

What's all of the poopla about? In my part of Canada, the target of flying bird poop is a sign of "good luck". Harper has given a reasonable explanation and pulled the ad as soon as he knew about it. Seems to me the media has decided to make a big deal of it because there is little else to report! Let's move on with the real issues.

Carmen P

I for one am already tired of the schoolyard bully tactics being used by Harper and his gang. I don't believe that a leader leads by intimidation, criticizing, goading,manipulating, or denying responsibility. That is what Harper has done and is doing. That is not the image I want my leader to take out into the world, representing Canada.

Gary from St. John's

I'm not sure what's in the water in Canada, but here in NL it's clear and we can see Harper for what he is - power hungry, untrustworthy and manipulative.
He breaks his own laws, breaks written promises, refuses to speak to the media unless he wants something from them and weakens Canada by pandering to Quebec.
Steve Harper may come across as a stronger 'leader', but do we really need a control freak in charge or would we be better served by a thoughtful leader who puts the best interests of the country ahead of his own?

Josee

i had higher expectations of a prime minister. the local teenage groups behave better and show far more integrity than the behaviour exerted by Harper and his subordinates. he just lost my vote in the upcoming election.

Melissa

Politics has become nothing but a childish popularity contest.

Though I respect my freedom to vote greatly, I also respect my freedom not to vote as well. This will be my first time not voting since I turned 18.

I could be bothered watching these childish antics.

James

I agree with Stephen Harper about the pooping puffin being in poor taste. Attack ads like that are not appropriate and very nasty.

This is a textbook reason why I do not trust Harper...he and therefore the Conservatives have adopted Carl Rove politics, which is attack attack attack, never compromise, and always be in campaign/spin mode.

This approach to politics is wrong, it is divisive, and it leads to an “us versus them” mentality that benefits nobody except those that are, and want to stay, in power.

Of course I understand that party politics is adversarial by nature, but not to this level.

Yes Harper withdrew the ad but the fact that it was not just suggested but actioned tells volumes of the culture that is prevalent in the party...not people I want to vote for.

Ben from Hanover, New Hampshire

Just like every other smear campaign, the notaleader.ca site is silly and provides irrelevent information. Some of the short audio clips of Stephane Dion offered on the website take advantage of Dion's poor english and are merely presented to seduce the web surfers into believing he is an incompetent leader. This might be true, however Harper would be better off not resorting to silly childish antics. This strategy is a disservice to the Harper campaign and Canadians should be a more sceptical of the "image" the conservatives are painting of Dion. The leader of Canada should not require irrelevent smear tactics to win over public opinion. Voters should be allowed to make up their own minds on the issues and not be duped by an attractive (although amusing) smear campaign.

Bob Anderson

Hi,
Anyone associated with fishing, the shore and the docks knows its GOOD LUCK to have your shoulder pooped on by a bird. So, its a good thing the poop got pulled ...... who wants to wish Dion good luck? Unless, of course, its just Harper being gracious.

James Pengelly

It is hilarious to read all the Liberal complaints about the Big Bad Conservatives and what they are saying about Dion. Perhaps they have forgotten the Liberal smear campaigns against Harper in the past. This campaign has been clean compared to the things they said about him and continue to say.

DGL

Even the virtual birds don't like Dion!

DougD

Gary in St. John's

I've seen the "floaters" in St. John's harbour, so don't pretend the water is any clearer, or that the voters are any more astute, in NL.

Ted in Toronto

The grits better be careful "highlighting controversies that have dogged the Conservatives". They will pale in comparison with a similar list of Fiberal scandals!

Thomas C

WOW! Harper apologizes for something? Record this day in the record books, this is the first actual apology ever given in public by the Prime Minister for the actions of himself or his campaign. (And no, the words "we regret" do not constitute an apology)

This includes the time he failed to apologize for implying that Paul Martin supports child pornography.

bd in sk

Bob C.

Did you ever stop to think about the whole hand-shake thing from his son's persepective? Your dad is the PM, he's walking you to school, a new school where you might not know anyone, the media is following you which is weird enough to attract attention at this new school - do you really want your dad hugging you in front of the boys you're going to play hockey with when you're ten years old? Probably not. Maybe shaking hands is what they agreed upon over the breakfast table. You just don't know. I don't think Stephen Harper is all that warm and fuzzy as a person, but that doesn't bother me as a character trait in my PM.

Paul Dumontet

If we look at it objectively one must beleive all people get involved in politics to help their country, regardless of which party they belong to. Without people like Dion, Harper, May, and Layton ( people willing to sacrifice themselves for what they beleive is the better good) our country itself would perish. To denegrate a personality or image whether on a discussion board or in a political campaign shows the depth (or lack thereof) of intellect involved in the process. The unfortunate thing is that Harper's leadership is in more question than Dion's. In two days he has threatened to boycott a debate if a national Party leader was allowed to participate ( look under requirements for national party status and the green party meets them all), and he has let people within his party post stuff that he even admits is disgusting and in poor taste. Only two days in to this campaign! You can't make stuff like this up!! I have not been so entertained by incompetence since Bill Vanderzalm and Fey Leung.

Young and Empowered

All these people who do not see Dion as a leader had better hope the youth of this nation stay at home instead of going to the polls, cause I can say with a little certainty that Harper's name will not be the box checked off at the polling stations.

Youth want change just like in the US and they are tired and fed up with many Conservative policies that are similar to those of the Republicans south of the border. More centralized power is not a good thing and young voters know this. Thank God for a Liberal Arts education!!!!!!!!

The website is hilarious, but it is just a smear attack. I like the Liberal's site, scandalpedia.ca better as it does contain info about all the Conservative scandals and is better satire.

bunny

Well he said sorry right away. I happen to think he thought it was tasteless.Good for PM Harper.

Dave from Toronto

This is just an example of the Conservative's lies...and that Harper is a FAILED leader who cannot control what comes out of his campain headquarters. I thought he wasn't going to go negative...what happened there Steve?

Harper is still a very strong leader.To Paul - Show some proof that Harper permitted the puffin.

Jason

No wonder this country is in trouble. You Canadians will never learn. Well good, go ahead and vote for Harper. You will get exactly what you deserve if he is brought in with a majority government which is nothing but heartache. Dion may not be much and may not be a leader but at least he is honest.

Mark - Fort Erie Ontario

I am not trying to be mean, but I have to admit, Dion kind of comes across as a wimp -not somebody I could vote for. Elizabeth May seems tougher to me....

TVic

Interesting that Yo-Harper apologizes for this ad but the Conservative Party continues to assault the senses with senseless attack ads! What gives? Has he no real issues of his own to bring to this election campaign?
If he keeps this up, he won't get my vote!!!

June

The fact there is only one Liberal riding from Winnipeg to Vancouver shows just how irrelevant Dion really is. He isn't CEO material.

Lart from Above

Used to be that politicians just flung mud, but the Conservatives have found a new low. In the small community organizations I work with, web sites are quickly seen by the core community. In the professional and corporate organizations I work with, web sites are created on a development server and only released to the public after approval from management.

The level of anti-intellectual is depressing. Having a PhD isn't a bad thing, and having a prime minister who has actually studied Canadian history could be helpful. The fact that a Quebecois likes winter sports should not be a dramatic revelation.

Politicians talk about their family and their leadership when they don't have anything meaningful to say.

Only authoritarians are afraid of education, because "academics" know how to ask the right questions. Time for Mr. Control-Freak Negative Harper to go.

June

The average Joe out there doesn't realize this election was called because of Harper's frustration with the Libs and NDP use of stall tactics in committee meetings; it has nothing to do with Harper being dishonest. If anything, he was being very honest with the Canadian public in refusing to participate in the charade. When the opposition refuses to allow parliament to work, who in his right mind would sit around playing those games for another year? Don't we want a CEO who doesn't waste our time and money? After all, that's why the Libs were turfed out three years ago.

luci

PM Harper claims he's a Christian.......anyone who will mud smear the Liberals the way he does is the biggest hypocrate & liar on this Planet Earth.The look on his face is not a soft side it's the most evil of all evil.The Almighty Dollar is all he's after; he doesn't care about the people of Canada.

Ed samson

Ed from NL
Quote of the week:

"You’ve got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society."

- Stephen Harper, The Report newsmagazine, January 22, 2001

Paul Dumontet

To jr
He hired people that hired people. Accoutability and discretion are pillars of Leadership.

Gilles Fournier

Dion is no more of a nerd than Harper and much better qualified. Harper has a secret agenda and this is why he is such a control freak. Harper's controlling personality is evident when he sues people for publishing/printing his own words re: the Cadman tape, in order to silence his opponents. Do we need this kind of leadership? NO!!!
GMF Cobourg ON

Orion

Actually I thought the ad was quite funny and appropriate.After all,look how many years the Liberals have screwed the Canadian taxpayers !!!!! And the worst part is ,they got away with it....I guess the truth does HURT...

Rob...PC...til I see something better...

Okay...so maybe Dion is not a total geek...maybe even a little human...but show us how he can be a world leader!! He needs a stronger platform, stronger issues. At this point, I think the best he can do is not get fired after the election...
But he is improving....

Denise

Bad joke? Absolutely. Tasteless? Definitely. However, it will never compare to the borderline slander by the Liberals in 2006:

"Stephen Harper actually announced he wants to increase military presence in our cities. Canadian cities. Soldiers with guns. In our cities. In Canada. We did not make this up."

What I find amazing about that little bit of warm and fuzzy is that people defended Paul Martin, saying he couldn't have known about it, because he was too busy to "personally approve every single ad". And, there were even people who claimed it was TRUE! Futhermore, Paul Martin DEFENDED the ad.

Pierre Pettigrew and Ken Dryden said in separate interviews:

"no harm was done because the ads never aired"

But they did, they ran on the internet, JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

Dave from Estevan

The fact Harper is wearing a sweater, or that he loves his children, or that he likes to go fishing, is not relevant to this election campaign.
When will he and his cronies start to talk in a positve way about their policies and put true alternatives before the voters instead of personal attacks and half-truths and half-lies? Probably never,because they don't believe that will win an election.

Harper says pooping puffin was 'tasteless'

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