Tory attacks on Dion

[Figleaf]

These were the only two possiblities I could think of.

[geoffrey]

Or that all parties do it?

They aren't really attacks per say. An attack is when they say Harper is going to mobilise the army in your streets, or when they say that Harper wants to united us with America. Those are unfounded.

Dion has proven however, to be an absolutely ineffective leader.

If anything, the Liberals should jump on the bandwagon and start attacking Dion. The faster he loses an election, the faster the Liberals can become credible again.

Dion is regarded less than Layton as a leader, that's pathetic. He's regarded less than Harper on the environment, which is an absolute joke.

Dion is a failure already, he's the Joe Clark of the Liberals.

You'd be best advise to shoe him along if you wish to see your party in power again. Dion will never win an election.

[Martin Chriton]

I think they're just revenge for all the shit the Liberals said about Harper. As you may recall, the Liberals' entire campaigns for the few last elections were how Harper hated Canada, how he wanted to turn Canada into a military state and how he was a baby eater.

The CPC's ads about Dion (at least the english ads) have nothing untruthful about them. Dion's record is abysmal and they correctly showed that out.

[Keepitsimple]

I'm fairly certain that the media would not have been so critical of Dion's leadership if the Conservatives, aided by the attack/information ads, had not forced the issue. Harper has done a masterful job at defining Dion - and in a more truthful fashion than Chretien and Martin did in continually demonizing Harper for the past three years - far, far right wing....take away your rights, destroy Canada....soldiers in the city....stack the courts with right wing judges....bush clone....war monger......against immigration, blah, blah, blah, over and over. If the Conservatives don't stick it to the Liberals, the Liberals have proven that they will go to any lengths to stay in power - so how low would they go to regain power? Kill the beast while you have a chance.

[geoffrey]

I'm fairly certain that the media would not have been so critical of Dion's leadership if the Conservatives, aided by the attack/information ads, had not forced the issue.

The media is very critical now, approaching the attention they gave to the backstabbing in the CPC party 2 or 3 years back.

[Figleaf]

I think they're just revenge for all the shit the Liberals said about Harper. As you may recall, the Liberals' entire campaigns for the few last elections were how Harper hated Canada, how he wanted to turn Canada into a military state and how he was a baby eater.

Harper DOES hate Canada, they never ran the ads about the army in the streets, and never said he was a baby eater.

[Martin Chriton]

I think they're just revenge for all the shit the Liberals said about Harper. As you may recall, the Liberals' entire campaigns for the few last elections were how Harper hated Canada, how he wanted to turn Canada into a military state and how he was a baby eater.

Harper DOES hate Canada, they never ran the ads about the army in the streets, and never said he was a baby eater.

Case in point - the Liberals said much worse thing about Harper and some Liberal sheep still believe some of it.

Unfortunately the only way to combat the fear campaign of the Liberals is to run a little one of their own.

[Figleaf]

... continually demonizing Harper for the past three years - far, far right wing....take away your rights, destroy Canada....soldiers in the city....stack the courts with right wing judges....bush clone....war monger......against immigration, blah, blah, blah, over and over.

But Harper is far right, does want to take away rights, would destroy Canada if we let him, and is stacking the courts.

[Figleaf]

I think they're just revenge for all the shit the Liberals said about Harper. As you may recall, the Liberals' entire campaigns for the few last elections were how Harper hated Canada, how he wanted to turn Canada into a military state and how he was a baby eater.

Harper DOES hate Canada, they never ran the ads about the army in the streets, and never said he was a baby eater.

Case in point - the Liberals said much worse thing about Harper and some Liberal sheep still believe some of it.

But it's true, amigo.

[Mad_Michael]

Unfortunately the only way to combat the fear campaign of the Liberals is to run a little one of their own.

No. This type of behaviour is made by choice. In many cases, it doesn't work at all - or backfires. Doesn't matter.

The principal reason that attack ads are prevailent in Canada is due to the usage of US political consultant companies. That's their favourite game because it suits the US situation where the electorate is split solidly 45 vs 45 and the whole fight is over the 10% who are moved by attack ads.

The same dynamic is not in play in Canada, which is why these negative ads don't work the same way up here.

The politicians themselves are the one that are going to pay the price in disrespect. When a politician on a campaign approaches me and sticks his hand out to shake my hand, I just laugh in his face at his arrogance and dismiss him with contempt.

For those of you with short memories, I remember the Conservative party attack ad on Chretien that made fun of his Ball Palsey. That should tell you everything you need to know about the moral standing of politicians and their attack ads.

[newbie]

Case in point - the Liberals said much worse thing about Harper and some Liberal sheep still believe some of it.

Unfortunately the only way to combat the fear campaign of the Liberals is to run a little one of their own.

Have you forgotten that Harper campaigned on cleaning up Gov't?

[M.Dancer]

What is false about the ads?

[newbie]

True or false it is clearly a negative attack ad meant to assail Dion's character. I find that in contradiction to what Harper ran on. Plus how many other parties have done this outside of an election campaign?

[munsinger]

The ads are one thing.....creating an image

but Dion's performance.....is simply making that image..... a reality.

[leonardcohen]

The ads are one thing.....creating an image

but Dion's performance.....is simply making that image..... a reality.

Well Said.-The Truth Hurts.

I personally hope the Liberals keep him as Leader,it just makes Harpers job easier and the possibility of a MAJORITY Government more likely.

That should make a few people heads explode in sheer frustration

[geoffrey]

But Harper is far right, does want to take away rights, would destroy Canada if we let him, and is stacking the courts.

Do you leave glass bottles on your door handles at night too? You should really get that paranoia checked out by a professional.

[Mad_Michael]

True or false it is clearly a negative attack ad meant to assail Dion's character. I find that in contradiction to what Harper ran on. Plus how many other parties have done this outside of an election campaign?

You are quite correct here. This series of ads is unprecedented outside of an actual election campaign.

Though, as we've learned about the Conservatives' kissing cousins south of the border, a 100% political campaign all the time is the way they like to operate - everyday is a political campaign, every decision is a political campaign issue. Everything must be turned to partisan advantage - all the time.

As a former card-carrying conservative, this stuff makes me ill. Been a long time since I voted federal conservative and I suspect it will be a very long time before I do again.

[geoffrey]

Though, as we've learned about the Conservatives' kissing cousins south of the border...

Evidence?

[Argus]

These were the only two possiblities I could think of.

How odd, and you being a self-proclaimed centrist too.

Shocking!

[Argus]

I think they're just revenge for all the shit the Liberals said about Harper. As you may recall, the Liberals' entire campaigns for the few last elections were how Harper hated Canada, how he wanted to turn Canada into a military state and how he was a baby eater.

Harper DOES hate Canada, they never ran the ads about the army in the streets, and never said he was a baby eater.

And coming from a centrist too, you gotta believe this is an unbiased evaluation.

I think I'm gonna start a poll. "Why are fringe leftists so ashamed of what they are they can't admit it?"

[BubberMiley]

"Why are fringe leftists so ashamed of what they are they can't admit it?"

Sorta like how the CPCers have hissy-fits whenever someone correctly points out that Harper is a neo-con?

[geoffrey]

Sorta like how the CPCers have hissy-fits whenever someone correctly points out that Harper is a neo-con?

Neoconservativism doesn't really work in a middle power country... Harper is more related to the neoliberal movement, along the lines of his American counterpart Bill Clinton.

[BC_chick]

Attacks on Harper were NOT baseless folks. Remember, we haven't given him a majority yet to see what he's capable of doing. Remember the first environment policy? That's a taste of what is to come if Harper doesn't have to rely on other parties to pass his policies.

So please stop already with the baseless *scary* Harper stories.

Soldiers in the street though, I give you. Over the top indeed. But we all saw how it backfired, so be careful playing that game back....

[geoffrey]

Attacks on Harper were NOT baseless folks. Remember, we haven't given him a majority yet to see what he's capable of doing. Remember the first environment policy? That's a taste of what is to come if Harper doesn't have to rely on other parties to pass his policies.

I disagree. Parties look at get elected again in the future sometime. Harper isn't go to go and tear everything up to be sent back to Kim Campbell status the next election. Minority, majority. Same thing really.

We might even get things done.

[BC_chick]

Harper isn't go to go and tear everything up to be sent back to Kim Campbell status the next election. Minority, majority. Same thing really.

Well, I disagree with that stance. I think Harper is so in love with himself and his ideals that he believes Canadians will come to see how brilliant he is if only he had a chance to prove it. I do believe he is an authoritative leader who believes in a republic more than democracy (no wonder he's so aligned with the Republicans south of the border).

As such, he believes that we simple folks should not have a say in what is good for us, that father dearest knows best, and we will come to accept it once he proves it to us.

And I'm not just making accusations here..... his indifference towards criticism, his lack of diplomacy in criticising his opponents, and his stance on Afghanistan in spite of what other political parties and Canadian public would like to see in him - all examples of my allegations against him.