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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper hugs his daughter Rachel as he drops her off at school in Ottawa on Tuesday Sept 30, 2008. (Tom Hanson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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Stephen Harper shakes hands with his son Ben outside his school in Ottawa in 2006.
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Harper sees daughter off with one-armed squeeze
Updated Tue. Sep. 30 2008 3:49 PM ET
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Stephen Harper walked his nine-year-old daughter Rachel to school Tuesday in a carefully scripted photo-op designed to bolster his new warm and fuzzy image.
With news cameras rolling, a bespectacled Harper, sporting a blazer and slacks, strolled hand-in-hand with his smiling daughter amid a cluster of cameras, aides and plainclothes Mounties.
Harper twice leaned in as though he was going to give young Rachel a peck on the forehead, but then settled on a one-armed squeeze and two quick pats on her shoulder before she dashed off to the playground.
It was a step up from the last time Harper dropped off his kids with media in tow.
In that instance, Harper's first day as prime minister in January 2006, he said goodbye to Rachel and son Ben with a dutiful handshake.
Harper spokesman Kory Teneycke characterized Tuesday's send-off -- which was set up in advance by the Prime Minister's Office -- as "a loving father taking his daughter to school, something he does frequently."
In hopes of softening his image as a cold partisan, recent Conservative campaign ads have shown Harper wearing a powder-blue sweater vest as he chats about his kids, his love of the North and his respect for war veterans.
Indeed, the garment has become an enduring symbol of the Harper campaign.
Reporters travelling with the prime minister christened his aircraft Sweater-Vest Jet, while comedian Mary Walsh burned a sweater vest on a Newfoundland beach Tuesday to protest Conservative cuts to arts and culture funding.
Comments are now closed for this story
oh puhleeeeze!
This is not even newsworthy.
Does the media not have anything better to do with its time?
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Hold the presses! This story is important... NOT!
Very early on in their schooling, my kids stopped wanting hugs and kisses at the school door.
At the time, my wife was sad about that.
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And this is important how? Most kids are totally embarrassed by their mom or dad hugging and kissing them when dropped off at school. Why would Stephen Harper's kids be any different than the average child?
If he had done it, the media or opposition would probably label him a pedophile.
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Judgmental opinion on public display of affection is news?
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WHO CARES!
Find real news.
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He forgot to wear his sweater-vest.
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Why is this news? In any case, a kiss and hug in front of the cameras wouldn't be natural, so what's the point??
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This is news?!? Are the media staking out Dion and Layton to see how they interact with their children - to ensure they meet the appropriate "warm and fuzzy" image? What a reflection on how petty and irrelevant the media have become, if this is what passes muster as news.
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So the guy doesn't smother his kids in affection for the cameras. Big deal.
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This is news? Maybe she was too embarassed? Who cares?
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This line of reporting is plain silly.All families communicate and show affection in different ways and frankly,it,s none of our business how the PM and his family function.
It,s pretty clear that the gloves are coming off now as the Liberals hide thier leader and send out the attack dogs.I hope the media pick up on this "nasty little point"and show who is truly in the gutter!!
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Now we are analyzing how Harper walks his kids to school in the morning? This is getting ridiculus, how is this a news story? Where are the stories about Layton and Dion walking their kids to school?
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I am not saying anyting about Harper as a parent, all I know is that my son, who is about the same age as Harper's would not be impressed if I tried to hug or kiss him at school. I am happy to get a wave.
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Are you people kidding me??? I hate journalists. Media makes me sick!
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This guy is unbelievable. Why would he create this photo opportunity to look like a family man then bugger it up by not giving his daughter a hug and a kiss. If he does not treasure his healthy young kids and show them, what does this guy really value?
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Like, why is this a news story?
I admit to being a warm and fuzzy type in public, but I've known people who reserve that for strictly within the family, in the home. It doesn't mean they have a long forked tongue and scaly skin.
Focus on real news CTV.
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When I was going to school, THE WORST possible scenario would have been for my parents to give me a kiss or hug as they dropped me off.
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with giving a kiss or hug to your kids, it's great for the younger ones, but for the older ones it will lead to teasing from their peers.
I think the PM made the right call.
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This is a pretty lame story. Can we please focus on the election and issues?
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Wow so he is not into PDA's (public displays of affection) who really cares. My dad would have shook my hand.
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who cares!!! I will not vote Tory but not because he does not kiss his daughter, but it is cheap to use your own children to try and show Canada you are kind and care...cheap,I just thought she would salute her father.
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If it is not a kiss, and it's not a hand shake and now a pat on the back is not right. What is it the media would consider the "right" approach for a father to say goodby to their children?
Please let us know so I can correct the way I do it and make sure I amdoing it "right"
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"Stephen Harper has some work to do on his new warm-and-fuzzy image."
I guess acording to the Canadian Press, who I take it, is expert in family social behaviour.
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Draw your own conclusions on his ability to parent.
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The father and daughter will relate to each other the way they wish - not the way you sterotype them.
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