Harper skips Canada in favour of U.S. interviews

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...27?hub=Politics

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will travel to the United States this weekend for another series of American media interviews, including one with the Fox News network that disparaged Canadian soldiers last week.

No government-to-government business or meetings are planned Sunday in Washington and Monday in New York, said his spokesman, and the full list of media outlets Harper will speak to is not being released.

The press spokesman told the Canadian media they will have restricted access and to not bother tracking Harper while he does his U.S. media blitz.

As mentioned in this article, it is an attempt to avoid questions in Canada about the economy.

[tango]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...27?hub=Politics

The press spokesman told the Canadian media they will have restricted access and to not bother tracking Harper while he does his U.S. media blitz.

As mentioned in this article, it is an attempt to avoid questions in Canada about the economy.

HEY! It's our lucky day!

We don't have to listen to the idiot.

I truly believe he should tell Fox news to take a hike!

But he'll probably kiss their butts.

Edited March 28, 2009 by tango

[Slim MacSquinty]

He is supporting the American president in his fight against protectionist policy makers in the US, and it is very good for Canada, when is the last time Americans were interested in listening to a Canadian PM.

Don't be so petty and small minded.

[jdobbin]

Don't be so petty and small minded.

Perhaps he will tell that to the Canadian media whom he seems to be avoiding.

[tango]

Don't be so petty and small minded.

Tell that to Harper.

[Slim MacSquinty]

The Canadian media would mostly prefer to hear what Iggy thinks harper would say rather than what harper would say himself.

[jdobbin]

The Canadian media would mostly prefer to hear what Iggy thinks harper would say rather than what harper would say himself.

The only time when Harper wants to speak to the media appears to be in an election.

[punked]

The only time when Harper wants to speak to the media appears to be in an election.

I don't think that is fair he likes to speak through cutting funding too Canadian media and asking the CRTC to let cable providers carry more American programing.

Edited March 28, 2009 by punked

[blueblood]

Shouldn't matter too much, Canadians are going to see all of it anyway on the American networks they already get.

[Smallc]

Shouldn't matter too much, Canadians are going to see all of it anyway on the American networks they already get.

How many Canadians actually spend a great deal of time watching US news networks?

[jdobbin]

Shouldn't matter too much, Canadians are going to see all of it anyway on the American networks they already get.

The American media is going to ask question about items in Canada's finances?

[bush_cheney2004]

How many Canadians actually spend a great deal of time watching US news networks?

Apparently a lot more than are thought to have...even the one's who swore never to watch Fox News again.

[tango]

Apparently a lot more than are thought to have...even the one's who swore never to watch Fox News again.

na ... we just watched it on youtube!

I watch Judge Judy on Fox, though.

[Progressive Tory]

HEY! It's our lucky day!

We don't have to listen to the idiot.

I remember his interviews for Fox news when he criticized Chretien for not going to Iraq. Will he now Obama bash since he can't bash the Canadian gov't?

[Progressive Tory]

The Canadian media would mostly prefer to hear what Iggy thinks harper would say rather than what harper would say himself.

It's only because Harper will not speak to the Canadian media. If Ignatieff is more open, why blame them? It's Harper himself who is driving them to the opposition for news about this country.

How Harper controls the spin

[Progressive Tory]

Shouldn't matter too much, Canadians are going to see all of it anyway on the American networks they already get.

Exactly.

[Progressive Tory]

The American media is going to ask question about items in Canada's finances?

Americans couldn't care less. The only ones interested in what he has to tell the American public are Canadians.

[Argus]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...27?hub=Politics

I see the Liberal Party's basic hatred and bigotry towards Americans hasn't ended simply because Iggy has become leader. You still will use any appearance, any hint that a politician doesn't detest Americans as evidence he's some kind of American lackey, and then do your best to get the word out "He's a yankee lover! Hate him like we do! Throw stones at him! Dirty yankee lover!"

As mentioned in this article, it is an attempt to avoid questions in Canada about the economy.

As mentioned in the article. Yes, curious that. The statement in the news article was It's part of a strategy to limit Harper's Canadian interrogations -- where the questions tilt toward the specifics of Canada's troubled domestic economy -- in favour of foreign media who can be expected to compare this country favourably to its international partners.

. Does anyone think the reporter was given an interview with Tory strategists who let him in on this "strategy" as opposed to the Canadian Press simply adding in the reporter's biased opinion as fact in a news story?

To me, it seems more like evidence of the lack of professionalism and journalistic integrity on the part of the national media - which has, in fact, caused Harper to avoid them in the past.

[jdobbin]

I see the Liberal Party's basic hatred and bigotry towards Americans hasn't ended simply because Iggy has become leader. You still will use any appearance, any hint that a politician doesn't detest Americans as evidence he's some kind of American lackey, and then do your best to get the word out "He's a yankee lover! Hate him like we do! Throw stones at him! Dirty yankee lover!"

What a load of crap you shovel. What hatred are you talking about?

Think this is another angry misdirection.

I have pointed out that this is to avoid answering questions in Canada where he might have to respond to domestic policies.

As mentioned in the article. Yes, curious that. The statement in the news article was It's part of a strategy to limit Harper's Canadian interrogations -- where the questions tilt toward the specifics of Canada's troubled domestic economy -- in favour of foreign media who can be expected to compare this country favourably to its international partners.

. Does anyone think the reporter was given an interview with Tory strategists who let him in on this "strategy" as opposed to the Canadian Press simply adding in the reporter's biased opinion as fact in a news story?

I think the response by the party spokesman about how questions will be limited and not to bother following the PM in the U.S. to interviews seems self-explanatory.

To me, it seems more like evidence of the lack of professionalism and journalistic integrity on the part of the national media - which has, in fact, caused Harper to avoid them in the past.

Except during elections when he is so readily available.

[85RZ500]

It's only because Harper will not speak to the Canadian media. If Ignatieff is more open, why blame them? It's Harper himself who is driving them to the opposition for news about this country.

How Harper controls the spin

Yep the Convenient Canadian has decades of experience in Canada, or is that the UK or the USA?

Edited March 28, 2009 by 85RZ500

[Argus]

What a load of crap you shovel. What hatred are you talking about?

Think this is another angry misdirection

There is a sizable percentage of Liberals, and potential Liberal supporters who absolutely hate America and everything it stands for. The Liberal Party has rarely been shy at playing up to that group by pointing at the Tories and sneering at their "closeness" to America. Jean Chretien did it routinely. Paul Martin did it even more openly. And Stephan Dion tried to do it, but like everything else he tried to do, did it badly.

.

I think the response by the party spokesman about how questions will be limited and not to bother following the PM in the U.S. to interviews seems self-explanatory.

Harper doesn't like the national media. This is a surprise? He has never liked the national media.

Except during elections when he is so readily available.

The Liberals and Conservatives both do their best to keep unfriendly media away from their leaders. Chretien detested the media and gave virtually no press conferences.

[Smallc]

There is a sizable percentage of Liberals, and potential Liberal supporters who absolutely hate America and everything it stands for.

There's also a sizable percentage that don't. Speaking out against American decisions and policies also does not make one anti American.

[Argus]

There's also a sizable percentage that don't. Speaking out against American decisions and policies also does not make one anti American.

But insinuating that anyone who does not show the proper dislike and distaste for America is some kind of American lackey certainly does.

[Smallc]

But insinuating that anyone who does not show the proper dislike and distaste for America is some kind of American lackey certainly does.

Yes, you're right, but most of that is political rhetoric when it all comes down too it. Fact is, many Liberals don't hate Americans. Fact is, there are also Conservatives that hate American.

[jdobbin]

There is a sizable percentage of Liberals, and potential Liberal supporters who absolutely hate America and everything it stands for. The Liberal Party has rarely been shy at playing up to that group by pointing at the Tories and sneering at their "closeness" to America. Jean Chretien did it routinely. Paul Martin did it even more openly. And Stephan Dion tried to do it, but like everything else he tried to do, did it badly.

What utter drivel being spewed.

So you contention is Harper loves the U.S. and he had to ditch the Canadian media and tell them not to follow him or pay attention to where he is and what he is doing? And if ever does answerer questions in Canada, you get only two questions in each language.

Harper doesn't like the national media. This is a surprise? He has never liked the national media.

And that is why it is pointed out that this is a strategy to avoid answering questions in Canada.

The Liberals and Conservatives both do their best to keep unfriendly media away from their leaders. Chretien detested the media and gave virtually no press conferences.

And Chretien granted media interviews to media outside of Canada as part of that strategy?