Harper's attack on Bloc risks alienating Quebec

[CHIMO]

Five years ago, when Stephen Harper perceived a potential challenge from former New Brunswick premier Bernard Lord for the leadership of the new Conservative Party, he warned his advisers that the race might get ugly.

With the bilingual Mr. Lord likely to command the overwhelming support of Quebec party members, Mr. Harper alerted his workers that he might have to find an issue that would polarize the newborn party. The message seemed clear to those in the room - Mr. Harper wanted to split the party's western Canadian Alliance base from the Quebec wing and use its greater numbers to win the prize.

It didn't happen, of course, because Mr. Lord never entered the race. But it was a glimpse into how Mr. Harper uses emotional issues to win the political day. It's a tool he picked up yet again yesterday to save his political skin, even if it means a long-term problem for his party in Quebec.

With his back against the wall, Mr. Harper slashed mercilessly at the decision of the Liberal-NDP coalition to seek the support of the Bloc Québécois. It was, said the Prime Minister, a betrayal of the country to sign a deal with the Bloc. His intent was clearly to whip up emotion against the deal.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081203.wharper03/BNStory/politics/

One of his attack points. He will keep on playing on it.

Hopefully all this will end up unifying the opposition into a cohesive political force.

[Clintonista2]

1. Harper is damaged goods

Even if he eventually weathers this storm and retains power, he has been irreparably harmed by all of this, and I doubt he will ever be able to politically recover.

[Bragi]

2. Macheavelli: Do not wound a king

If Harper walks away from this still in office, I truly fear for the consequences. Sure he is weakened, but he would still own the Great Seal of Canada, and lord knows what he would do with it once he knows he is living on borrowed time and can never get his majority. He will be a one-man wrecking crew. He must go now.

[Bassic]

4. Agreed

I just hope it happens.

[Bassic]

3. It just seems ridiculous

that they're screaming about the seperatist threat when no one in Québec is seriously talking about that anymore. Not even the PQ.

[Sandrine for you]

5. In english he said the liberal sell his soul at the "separatist" and

in french he said the Bloc sell his soul to the federalist...

He will alienate himself in Quebec and in Ontario (who don't like division) without even win something in the West Canada.

[iverglas]

6. let's have a contest!

The first one to identify something intelligent Harper has done in the last week wins ... uh ... a signed photo?

Possibly a seat at the back room table. There should be lots available.

[glarius]

7. The main objection seems to be against Dion as P.M.....why

don't spokespersons for the coalition, and even Dion himself, go on TV and make it clear that Dion will only be P.M for a couple of months till a new leader is elected? Most of the objections I have heard voiced in the man-in-the-street interviews have been with regards to Dion. People seem to think he will be permanent.

[Mother Jones]

8. When I first read this, I thought, well, he doesn't need Quebec anymore

But then I thought, he does need support to pass legislation. So where will he get that, if he alienates the Bloc and Quebec?

[Anarcho-Socialist]

9. He knows that the he's going to lose the confidence vote

whether now or in January. Harper hopes that the G-G will call elections rather than turn over government to the coalition (which would command confidence of the House).

I suspect the CPC is going to use the separatist issue to scare voters into supplying CPC with a working majority.

[daleo]

10. I think he has given up on Quebec

And he hopes to appeal to anti-Quebec and anti-French bigotry, probably in the old Orange areas of Ontario. But, if he loses his 12 Quebec seats, he would need about 20 to 25 new Ontario seats to form a majority, which seems highly unlikely.