Harper (Canadian conservative leader) responds to pro-American label

[Newsjock]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051208/elxn_template_05xxx/20051213?s_name=election2006&no_ads=

Canadian Press

WASHINGTON — It seems that even Conservative Leader Stephen Harper isn't anxious to appear too cosy with American politicians while he's trying to win an election.

A recent commentary in the right-wing Washington Times newspaper called him the "poster boy" for President George W. Bush's ideal foreign leader.

But Harper objected to being described as "pro-free trade, pro-Iraq war, anti-Kyoto and socially conservative," saying in a letter published Sunday that it "greatly oversimplifies my positions.''

... On Iraq, Harper said: "I would not commit Canadian troops to that country. I must admit great disappointment at the failure to substantiate pre-war intelligence information regarding Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction."

more

[KingFlorez]

1. He's not dumb

Being pro-Bush would kill his chances at being Prime Minister seeing how Canada is disgusted with Bush

[Canuckistanian]

2. It's always dangerous to cozy up to American leaders

Just ask Brian Mulroney.

[glarius]

3. The son of a bitch went on Fox TV and apologized for Canada not being

in the Iraq war....Now that things are not going well, he is trying to distance himself from the Iraq war....He's a slimy, phony right winger....

[BillZBubb]

5. "He's a slimy, phony right winger"

Is there any other kind????

[JohnyCanuck]

4. What an idiot

On Iraq, Harper said: "I would not commit Canadian troops to that country. I must admit great disappointment at the failure to substantiate pre-war intelligence information regarding Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction."

Off course at the time of the invasion he was hot to trot to have Canadian troops partake in the bloodletting and to breath in their share of depleted uranium dust, no doubt to prove that, in contrast to Jean Chretien, if he were PM, he could be counted on to fall in line and ask, "How high?" when the word came down that the White House had ordered Canada to jump. At least Chretien knew it was mostly bullshit and hot air coming out of the White House and acted accordingly. Harper swallowed the Bush/Cheney warmongering, propaganda BS hook line and sinker.

[hogwyld]

6. You know what

With all of our troops overseas, maybe Canada should enact some regime change over here, and impose it's caring, thoughtful policies on us....

[applegrove]

7. He's a creep. Like Kim Campbell said and Bush did - neocons don't

talk about policy during elections. They get elected and then start shoving the agenda through. With Bush in 2004 it was selling off social security as soon as he won the election by stealing hearts and minds and getting americans to vote out of fear. For Mike Harris, neocon leader of Ontario Conservatives in the mid 1990s, week three of his tenure saw massive slashes to housing allowances for the poor - forcing all of them to break leases and seek new and horrid forms of shelter within 6 months.

Nobody should believe a thing that comes out of Harper's mouth.

His policy plans and positions can be found at the Fraser Institute press conference in early April where Mike Harris and Preston Manning (previous leader of neocons in canada) stood up and called this itemized list "A Canada Strong & Free" (the most orwellian and neocon of titles).

Here the plans are:

{b}A Canada Strong and Free
Publication Date: April 2005
Publication Format: Books

Author(s):
The Hon. Mike Harris, Former Premier, Government of Ontario,


E. Preston Manning, Former Leader of the Opposition,
Email: [e-mail]

"Executive Summary: In A Canada Strong and Free, Mike Harris and Preston Manning present a vision to make our country the best democratic federation in the world, offering its citizens the highest quality of life and economic performance, and setting a new standard of international citizenship and leadership. This vision expands freedom of choice and acceptance of personal responsibility in every area of national life and calls for a “rebalancing” of national priorities.

Critical Surgery for Health Care: Canada is currently under-performing virtually all industrialized nations offering universal health coverage. Harris and Manning propose eliminating the federal role in health care management and financing, strengthening health care financing by granting the provinces the tax room vacated by the federal government, eliminating barriers to private delivery and financing of health services, giving Canadians freedom to choose their health care providers, and giving those providers the freedom and incentive to provide faster access to better care at lower cost.

More Wealth in the Hands of Canadians: Canada’s productivity and standard of living are in decline relative to many other industrialized countries. Harris and Manning propose a shift of $80 billion in national income over the next six years from the hands of politicians and bureaucrats into the hands of citizens, families, businesses, and civil society. This shift – aimed at increasing the incomes and opportunities of Canadians – is to be achieved through constraining growth in total government spending to 3.1% per year and passing the tax savings on to Canadians.

Strengthening Democratic Governance: Harris and Manning contend that smaller governments, closer to the people they serve, can be held more democratically accountable than large, distant, and centralized governments. While supporting institutional and electoral system reform, they insist that such measures will succeed in reducing Canada’s democratic deficit only if the size of government itself is constrained and the functions of government are decentralized and localized as much as possible.

Trade and Security Through a Canada-US Customs Union: After examining the decline in Canada’s international influence and relationship with the United States, Harris and Manning propose advancing Canada’s interests in continental trade and security via a new Customs Union with the US. They propose the creation of a common tariff and quota system, elimination of rules of origin, mutual administration of common tariffs and trade regulations, and mutual acceptance of responsibilities for border security.

.... Snip"

http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/shared/readmore.asp?sNav=pb&id=746

[Spazito]

8. ROFLMAO! I just LOVE this quote....

"But Harper objected to being described as "pro-free trade, pro-Iraq war, anti-Kyoto and socially conservative," saying in a letter published Sunday that it "greatly oversimplifies my positions.''


So, if I read this right, he is saying he IS what the quote says but is complaining there isn't enough detail about how he is "pro-free trade, pro-Iraq war, anti-Kyoto and socially conservative,".

If Harper actually had a clue he might, repeat might, be dangerous.

:rofl:

[glarius]

9. I'm just scared skinny that he might somehow...a la Karl Rove....fool the

people into thinking he's just what we need....I wonder why neither the Liberals nor the NDP are telling Canadians about Harper's apology to the U.S.A for us not going into Iraq with them?....I think this would finish him quicker than anything if Canadians knew this....All the polls show we are overwhelmingly against the Iraq war and if he were P.M we would be in that mess right now....

[Spazito]

10. I have NO doubt the Liberals and NDP are saving their best

for the last three weeks, after the holidays. I, too, hope they put his apology in ads or something close to it, it would resonate with the public, I have no doubt, given bush is despised here. The polls are static right now with the Libs up anywhere from 4 to 12 points, the key time will be after the holidays.

[Canadian_moderate]

11. No worries

They're saving their best ammo for last. The ads will kill any chance of Harper becoming Prime Minister.

[Lisa]

12. keep up the great work, Washingon Times!

An endorsement like that is guaranteed to drive a lot of voters (wavering Grits, old-fashioned "Red Tories", and even moderate Conservatives) into Paul Martin's arms. Though I will credit Harper with being smart enough to know that being linked with Bush does him NO favours!


The bad news is, it will probably stampede some NDPers into voting Liberal this time, as well. (sigh.)