I've thought for a while that Mr. Harper, and his inner circle were largely a collection of small, mean people. People whose sneering attitude towards their political opposition largely demonstrated the same kind of small-mindedness that I remember seeing in schoolyards as I grew up. Little cliques forming and looking down their noses at anyone who should be different from them.
Harper's antics these last few weeks have only served to reinforce that - whether it's his "Angry White Guy" routine, shutting down the House of Commons for a few "political points", or whatever else. Harper's failure to hear - and listen - to Martin's promise to put the budget bill to a vote on Thursday this week only served to underscore in my mind that this is a leader who will not listen to the country.
Yesterday, two things happened that confirmed my suspicions about the Conservative party. First, they lost their most visible moderate member to the Liberals. Whatever else you may think of Belinda Stronach, she was unquestionably a social moderate in the party. While I do not know what transpired in caucus sessions, nor what she and Stephen Harper talked about at Stornaway a few short weeks before her defection, it is not difficult to imagine that Harper and his inner circle had made her life pretty uncomfortable for a long time. Losing Stronach is symbolic - it confirms for many doubters the notion that the Conservative party has all but smothered the voice of moderates (such as the former Progressive Conservative Party members).
The second thing that happened yesterday was the publicly voiced reactions of the Conservative party members to Ms. Stronach's departure. Mr. Harper couldn't have sounded more like he'd just eaten a barrel-full of lemons if he tried. He couldn't even muster enough gumption to wish her well in the future. No, instead he had to make it personal, pinning it on her "personal ambitions". Mr. Harper should have pasted a smile on his face, and wished her well - publicly at least.
As for the greater body of his caucus members, I can only sit agog at some of the statements I heard. Bob Runciman is quoted on CBC as saying "She sort of defined herself as something of a dipstick, an attractive one, but still a dipstick...". I don't know what kind of neanderthal this guy is, but he just played one of the most blatantly sexist comments I've heard come off the Hill in years. I'd say he'd get along well with the Byfields and other socially extreme elements in the party.
Whatever Mr. Harper's goals may be - he seems to have no idea how to achieve them. His antics the last few weeks show a leader whose tactics are 'moment by moment', and strategy completely eludes him. (As evidenced by how soundly he has been out-maneuvered by an embattled Paul Martin)
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When has the leader of a political party ever wished well a turncoat?
Runciman is not a member of the Conservative caucus.
Don't let prejudice blind fact checking.
1 - Optics. That's all it is. Harper should have put the biggest smile he could muster on. Instead he looked like he had spent the morning sucking a barrel of lemons, and sounded utterly, deplorably petulant - after last week's performance he needed to climb out of his quagmire, not sink deeper into it.
2 - Okay - Runciman's an Ontario MPP. He still made himself sound like an ass, and in doing so publicly immediately raises old spectres from the Reform/Alliance past.
Think on it - if I made that association, it's no big leap to guess that other people will too.
The thing to remember about the Tories is that they're dominated by the Alberta caucus. The problem with being a Tory from Alberta is you need all the political acumen of a garden slug. Once the nomination is over, you coast to victory.
This creates a problem for them on the national scene where being a skillful politician is vital to electoral success. If the Tories have any gains next election it will be because people are tired of the Liberals and not because of effective politicing by the Conservatives.
This also explains Harper's actions. They are the actions of a man who is an Alberta Conservative. When you come from a province where a Conservative can do no wrong, it's a hard lesson in politics when the rest of the country thinks your actions are purile. It's probably a bit of a dilemma for Harper, as the home team is cheering him on, but he's leaving the rest of the country scratching their heads.
JN
www.nishiyama.tzo.com
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