Libs 'desperate', launch all-out attack on Cons

[maplesyrup]

Liberals `desperate'

The faltering Liberals are launching an all-out, negative assault against the Conservatives, in what Ontario candidates have been candidly told is a "desperate" bid to rattle voters away from Stephen Harper and his party.

It is a controversial step in a party now displaying some serious self-doubt in its own campaign strategy, with more and more Liberals coming forward to lament how Prime Minister Paul Martin and his team have squandered what once seemed like a sure coast to victory.

Liberal candidates in Ontario were summoned to sit in last evening on what was billed as an urgent conference call, in which campaign co-chairman David Herle laid out the steps ahead in a boldly negative ad campaign that began airing on TV last night.

When several candidates complained in last night's phone call that the attack ads would make the Liberals look desperate, Herle reportedly retorted: "We are desperate."

Has anyone seen the ads yet?

[Bryant]

Do you Work for the Conservative Party--are you a card carrying Tory--Because your Rhetoric is getting stale and old..........dribble..........

[maplesyrup]

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[maplesyrup]

Bryant....you are new here so I will cut you a bit of slack.

Stick to debating the issues and read the protocols for posting here. If you wish to attempt to defend the indefensible, that's your business. Just do it.

[Argus]

Do you Work for the Conservative Party--are you a card carrying Tory--Because your Rhetoric is getting stale and old..........dribble..........

Apparently you don't understand the difference between quoting a media report and making your own statement. Or would you like to give us an example of his "rhetoric"?

Are you just another incarnation of Joseph13? You appear to not understand how to make a point without seeming to be shrieking wildly.

If you have an issue you wish to discuss I suggest you do so and not generalize with wild, anti-Conservative rants.

[August1991]

Getting back to the issue, the ads apparently play on the gender gap. (I wonder truly whether the gap exists. I suspect rather that women take more time in making the vote decision.)

This is Herle's last chance. If the reaction is negative, he's history.

It also raises the stakes for Martin in next week's debate.

Lastly, why is Martin not campaigning now and spending all this time in debate preparation? Is he tired? Do his appearances lower his ratings?

This is the G&M Article. Did you see the reference to the suit and tie?

[Slavik44]

Do you Work for the Conservative Party--are you a card carrying Tory--Because your Rhetoric is getting stale and old..........dribble..........

man so many new liberals on this site, every one telling us what to do, and they don't even know MS is NDP'er, it owuld be like mistaking ronald regean for a democrat.

[cgarrett]

getting back to the topic that maple had attempted to set up...

what do the conservative thinkers on this forum think about the harper image being portrayed? the liberals charge that history has shown extreme right wing political views in harpers words and actions in the past.

and what is completely obvious is harpers attempt at portraying himself as a moderate almost centered politician. do any of the strong conservatives in this forum view this as a cop out or just a cover to gain votes from liberal abandon voters?

personally i am concerned about this portrayal and that what we see federally is just what played out here in b.c. at the last provincial election.

gordon campbell capitalized on ndp faults like fast ferries and portrayed himself also as a centered politician. once he had total control of the province he showed himself to be as centered as say... bush!

[Alliance Fanatic]

All Harper has to do in the debates is ask this one question to Paul Martin.

So, under your government if their was a free vote on abortion or gay marriage, you would not allow your MP's to vote based on their constituents beliefs?

Then he is toast, people will see him as either a liar, or as dictator.

Martin should'nt have scared away all of those traditional liberals he is sunk.

[August1991]

what do the conservative thinkers on this forum think about the harper image being portrayed? the liberals charge that history has shown extreme right wing political views in harpers words and actions in the past.

A minor point before I answer, the NDP is the one that primarily suffers from these Liberal attack ads. The ads frighten potential NDP voters into returning to the Liberal fold to ensure that scary-guy Harper doesn't turn Canada into Nazi Germany.

There are three angles to Canadian politics. First, fiscal policy. Second, social policy. Third, federal policy.

All Conservatives are fiscally conservative. They would prefer lower taxes and less government. Harper has taken a page out of the Liberal playback by presenting those budget numbers but the essence is there.

The Conservatives harbour both social liberals and social conservatives. Harper has bridged this by allowing free votes. It effectively solves the problem as it should be solved. We will have the status quo unless a majority of Parliament decides otherwise.

While few English Canadians Conservatives give much thought to federal policy, other than being in favour of a united Canada, Harper's position is very defendable.

and what is completely obvious is harpers attempt at portraying himself as a moderate almost centered politician. do any of the strong conservatives in this forum view this as a cop out or just a cover to gain votes from liberal abandon voters?

The 64,000$ question, cgarret. I think Harper could have gone for a stronger conservative mandate but he has chosen to play it safe - in the Bill Davis tradition. If he wins a minority, he will have enough on his plate with what he has announced.

Bear in mind that if elected, Harper will be the first PM who has solved a differential equation. As opposed to all others (except King, Pearson, Clark and Campbell), Harper's not a lawyer. I hope he's not a micro-manager.