Conservatives should condemn Stephen Harper's gutter politics

by Charlie Smith on July 11th, 2009 at 1:47 PM

This week, I stumbled across another piece of garbage sent through the mail by a Conservative MP.

This one featured a "pop quiz". It asked how long Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was away from Canada.

On the flip side, it contained the Conservative slogan "Ignatieff: Just visiting".

There was not a word about public policies, plans, or issues--just a vicious personal attack on the Opposition leader.

I wonder what thoughtful conservatives think of these tactics, which are so typical of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Harper seems to think that if you treat the public like they're idiots, you have a better chance of getting reelected.

It's time for people like Senator Hugh Segal, former federal cabinet ministers John Crosbie and John Fraser, and former prime ministers Kim Campbell and Joe Clark to stand up and condemn this nonsense.

Harper is debasing our political culture. As we've seen in the United States, whenever this occurs, there's a corresponding decline in political literacy.

That's likely followed by reckless policies that can bankrupt the nation and lead it into perpetual war.

It's time for conservatives to say enough is enough. The ends don't always justify the means.

Comments

23 Comments

Ruth Seeley

Jul 11, 2009 at 2:29pm

This is one of the most politically naive things I've ever seen. I notice you're suggesting that only those Conservatives who don't have to worry about being re-elected break ranks to condemn Harper. What on earth do you think they would have to gain by doing so publicly? Do you seriously think he'd be shamed into behaving better? The pressure on Harper needs to be exerted publicly by ALL the other political parties, and privately by Conservatives who disagree. While I would be happy personally to see the Conversative Party disappear completely, the Conservatives don't feel that way, and a public debate on this issue would have that effect. Perhaps that's the hidden subtext of your column though.

Charlie Smith

Jul 11, 2009 at 4:22pm

I have a hunch that Conservative MPs who are collecting salaries greater than $150K per year are not likely to speak out. That's why I mentioned those who aren't in Parliament. Harper won't be shamed into changing his behaviour, just as Gordon Campbell can't be shamed for his contributions to child poverty with draconian welfare policies directed at single mothers. However, Harper can be persuaded to change if he senses it's in his best interest not to debase our political culture. Will it happen? Probably not.

Margaret

Jul 11, 2009 at 7:49pm

I agree, 100%. It's not going to happen though. Gutter politics and lying have become a part of the fabric of the Conservative Party now.
Nobody can "shame" Harper. Harper has no idea how to behave. He needs Ignatieff around to tell him how to be Prime Minister, and how to behave properly. Summer vacation, Ignatieff's gone, and Harper shoots himself in the foot twice.

Karol

Jul 12, 2009 at 5:51am

Keep it simple Charlie,
Ignatieff is just visiting Canada.
What is wrong with that message??

seth

Jul 12, 2009 at 8:53am

Because it works.

It is a a well known fascist election tactic to keep as many voters at home as possible - they're all a buncha crooks tactic. The 'She's just not ready" series of commercials worked extremely well for Gordo's Neocons although Carole James' refusal to respond in kind made them more effective than any fascist could have dreamed.

By creating as much doubt as possible into Dear Michael's motives, competence, and history then amplifying it with your fascist evening news outlet at Canwest-Global (aka Fox News) the already disinterested voter sees no point and just stays home.

The old wisdom that "politicians are like diapers they need to be changed often and for the same reason" no longer applies when the media is almost one hundred percent owned by Neocons.
seth

delnab

Jul 12, 2009 at 9:20am

<em>It's time for conservatives to say enough is enough. The ends don't always justify the means.</em>

Anything that keeps Liberals out of power is automatically worthwhile; so sorry you haven't figured that out yet.

Billy B

Jul 12, 2009 at 9:55am

Get real man. I get mailouts from Liberal MPs all the time, personally attacking Harper

If you think this is one-sided, wake up. Its a common tactic used by all parties whereby MPs in safe seats send mail to ridings the party believes it can win next time around.

Save your outrage and do a little research before you spew typical, banal anti-Conservative garbage.

greggm

Jul 12, 2009 at 10:15am

More snivelling liberal sour grapes. How is pointing out the truth that the Liberal leader left Canada over 30 years ago and returned only because he sniffed power considered gutter politics. I want a leader who devoted his life to this country...not an effette snob who's on thr record refeering to the USA as "his country" and the UK as "my adopted home".

Macky Avelli

Jul 12, 2009 at 10:18am

Give it a rest. Negative ads are what they are. If done well, they work. If done badly, they backfire. They are the classic example of a "double-edged sword" in politics.

Let me use a football analogy ... The offense basically has two weapons--rushing (postivie ads) and passing (negative ads). A coach would be a total idiot to restrict his plays to one or the other. He understands that, when passing, there might be an interception. That is the other edge of the passing sword.

I suspect what is REALLY bugging the anti-Harper crowd is not the CONTENT of these ads, but that they are being run OUTSIDE the writ period. If so, admit it, and then have the debate revolve around that aspect.