I was away for the weekend, so I hadn't kept up with the flow of comments on the last entry. I guess it created some controversy. Having now read them, I'd like to thank everyone who posted, except the anti-Semitic coward who posted anonymously.
Allow me to make a few points:
- It is not my job to defend Stephen Harper or to flack for the Tories. I am not a member of any federal political party. I am a conservative, not a Conservative. I make these observations as a non-partisan observer.
- That said, I like Stephen Harper. From an ideological perspective, probably no other leader in my lifetime has mirrored my own views as closely. He is a good man who has a lot of integrity -- maybe too much for politics. The people around him are nice too. Some of them are friends.
- Nowhere did I call for the dumping of the leader. I said Harper has serious shortcomings that he needs to overcome, and I expressed doubt as to whether he can do that. I think it only fair to give the leader two elections, and I agree that the Tories dump their leaders too quickly. As someone told me at a wedding reception Sunday, why would anyone invest in a company that keeps changing its management?
- I do not nor have I ever believed Harper must move further left or adopt more "mainstream" or "centrist" policies to win. People will vote for a strong, dynamic leader even if they don't agree with their policies. Harper doesn't appear to be that kind of leader.
- Those who claim the Liberals are "scared" of Harper are either totally dillusional or haven't talked to any Liberals. Scared is definitely not what they are. They have a file on Harper miles wide with quotes and old writings of his that they could pull out anytime. My understanding is that most of the juicy stuff wasn't even touched in the last election simply because the Libs didn't think they needed it.
"Perception is reality" is one of politics' most oft-quoted clichés, but it's absolutely correct. No, it is not fair that the mainstream media portrays Harper as angry and scary, and yes, they give preferential treatment to the Liberals. It has always been that way and probably always will. The Conservatives for that reason must be strategically superior and more media savvy than the Liberals. Right now they are not.
OttawaCon noted that everything about Harper's career points to the fact that he will probably step down if he feels he's the problem. I agree. Harper is a man aware of his own abilities. If he loses next time, he'll quit.
