The Conservatives -- 9/10
A third straight rock-solid week for Stephen Harper. Yet more policy announcements, the best of which was the tax credit for kids sports. Way to hit the 905ers, guys. The Tories continue to drive the agenda every day. Another week of no major gaffes, although something seems not right about this. Has the Globe not yet set up a phone bank to call Tory candidates to coax one into saying Harper should use the notwithstanding clause to stop gay marriage? (Expect that story any day now.) The latest TV spot, change, is really well done. The so-called "discovery" of a seven-year old speech Harper made criticizing Canada's direction has not done any damage that I can see. Too early on to be seriously damaging. Harper looked good at last night's dreary Leader's Debate.
Why a point was removed: Nobody's perfect. I think Harper could have been more aggressive in the response to the beer-and-popcorn disaster. But if the Tories stay the course, I predict two things. One, the polls will start and move all over the country toward them as soon as Christmas season is over. Two, things are going to get ugly as soon as the Christmas season is over. The Liberals will come out swinging in a way we haven't seen since ... the last election.
The Liberals -- 7/10
This is the third straight week the Liberals have said basically nothing. The major point off were for Scott Reid's indiscretion. Martin had a solid performance at the debate -- he did better than I thought he would. He is usually awful off-the-cuff but did well this time. The Liberals have obviously decided that the pre-Christmas period of the campaign totally meaningless, and are treating it as such.
Why points were removed: Three words: beer and popcorn. And Martin is playing up the anti-Americanism, which is -- sadly -- striking a chord. I realize attacking America plays well, but that doesn't mean politicians should do it.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 5:22 PM
