Harper-Iraq-Canada

[metis]

Hope this hasn't been posted already..
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040603/COMARTIN03/Comment/Idx

Iraq: Harper, Harper, pants on fire


By LAWRENCE MARTIN
Thursday, June 3, 2004 - Page A21


Stephen Harper has a McGuinty-sized problem on his hands -- on an issue even bigger than taxes.

The Chrétien government's decision not to enter the Iraq war is a defining moment in Canada's foreign-policy history. It is now supported, according to a recent CBC poll, by a staggering 79 per cent of the population.

The record shows that Mr. Harper and his Conservatives wanted to enter that war. But, fearing that it would cost him badly at the polls, Mr. Harper is now trying to squirm his way out of it, saying he only wanted increased moral support for the conflict, not military support. The new line -- offered while crying "Dalton" at the Liberals for their tax-pledge reversal in the Ontario budget -- doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

There are Mr. Harper's own words from last April. "We should have been there, shoulder to shoulder with our Allies."

There are the words of a former party member, Keith Martin, who was at the table with him. "If Harper was prime minister," Dr. Martin said this week, "Canadian soldiers would be coming home from Iraq in body bags." There is a pre-war press release from Mr. Harper's foreign affairs critic, Stockwell Day. It is headlined "Canadian Troops Must Join Allies in the Gulf." It is on Official Opposition letterhead.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

1. Harper peaked this week. He missed his shot at a majority government.

In fact, I'm predicting a Liberal minority today (that could change, though)

[Spazito]

2. I agree, I, too, think it will be a Liberal minority...

and we will be back at the polls in about a year.

[Hoping4Change]

3. I hope his soft support clues in. I'm just afraid that people are so

steamed with the Liberals that they can't see past their desire for revenge. Personally I want to see Lib minority with strong NDP presence. Thanks for the link and welcome to DU :hi:

[glarius]

4. Liberals need to point out Harper is getting advice daily from Mulroney!

and that Harper has said the same thing Mulroney said way back when...."you won't recognize Canada when I'm done!".....Those words will turn off Canadians faster than anything....If only Liberals would keep on repeating them...over and over....Harper has the same deceptive, super smooth manner that Mulroney had and that fooled Canadians into electing him, and will do damage to Canada, just as Mulroney did....I reallly think HIS TIES TO MULRONEY should be emphasized over and over.....

[Screaming Lord Byron]

5. Today's SES tracking poll looks good - 34,29,22,10,5

http://www.sesresearch.com

Tories Slide on First Night of New Liberal Ads
The release of the Liberal’s new attack on Harper has affected Conservative support. Polling released yesterday showed a dead heat (32% for both the Liberals and the Conservatives). As of last night, CPAC-SES Tracking: Liberals 34%, Conservatives 29%, NDP 22%, BQ 10%, Green 5%. Both the Liberals and NDP picked up a few points, with the Liberals taking the lead outside of the margin of accuracy. Time for a change is still at 57%. Unable to fight back the appetite for change, the new Liberal ad tries to recast Stephen Harper as a “risky” agent of change.

[glarius]

6. "Cutting off your nose to spite your face"..that's what voting for Harper

just for the sake of change would be....