Harper, just being himself again.

[The Honest Politician]

Apparently Harper was shooting the breeze with reporters on the plane last night.

Go to the Canada am section Click on Harper unplugged.Harper unplugged

[kimmy]

Stephen Harper Unplugged

Interesting chat. Notable comments from Harper:

-if he was leading a minority government, Harper would try to govern issue-by-issue and believes that he could work with the NDP on issues like his proposed GST cut.

-the reason the 1979 PC minority government collapsed is that Joe Clark is a moron.

-the premiers hate Paul Martin, except for McGuinty.

-"I wouldn't want him behind my back," in reference to McGuinty and the trouble he's caused for Martin.

Overall, the Toronto Star account makes it sound like a fairly pleasant chat, and that Harper seems to friendlier and more comfortable with the media than he's been in the past. I doubt there's anything in the content of his comments that the Liberals will be able to use. For the most part, it comes across as candid and honest-- a departure from the Harper's public personna-- and if Harper is getting more comfortable with the media that can't be good news for his opponents.

-k

[cybercoma]

Stephen Harper Unplugged

Interesting chat.  Notable comments from Harper:

-if he was leading a minority government, Harper would try to govern issue-by-issue and believes that he could work with the NDP on issues like his proposed GST cut.

-the reason the 1979 PC minority government collapsed is that Joe Clark is a moron.

-the premiers hate Paul Martin, except for McGuinty.

-"I wouldn't want him behind my back," in reference to McGuinty and the trouble he's caused for Martin.

Overall, the Toronto Star account makes it sound like a fairly pleasant chat, and that Harper seems to friendlier and more comfortable with the media than he's been in the past. I doubt there's anything in the content of his comments that the Liberals will be able to use. For the most part, it comes across as candid and honest-- a departure from the Harper's public personna--  and if Harper is getting more comfortable with the media that can't be good news for his opponents.

-k

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think they said "except for McGuinty", I think they said, "even McGuinty."

Dalton McGuinty has been battling with the federal government over transfer payments since he took office.

[kimmy]

I don't think they said "except for McGuinty", I think they said, "even McGuinty."

Harper suggested that most provincial and territorial leaders "hate" Martin with the notable exception of McGuinty.

Dalton McGuinty has been battling with the federal government over transfer payments since he took office.

"And I wouldn't want him behind my back," joked the Tory leader, an apparent reference to the problems McGuinty has caused to Martin over the past two years.

-k

[cybercoma]

I stand corrected.

[kimmy]

I stand corrected.

Don't sweat it. Easy to see why people would assume McGuinty hates Martin, because he sure acts like it.

-k

[cybercoma]

I stand corrected.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't sweat it. Easy to see why people would assume McGuinty hates Martin, because he sure acts like it.

-k

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's the thing about McGuinty, on one hand he does incredibly awesome things as premier (like standing up for Ontario), but then he shafts Ontarians by making us pay a hell of a lot more money for health care (while cutting back OHIP coverage).