[Former Proud Canadian]

I don't know if Harper has more clout. He certainly has the moral high ground. He does lead one of the few western democracies that are energy independent. This gives him the freedom to conduct foreign affairs without worrying if Russia is going to cut gas supplies or the Arabs or Venezuela are going to stop oil shipments.

It also helps to have 50+ mutual defense treaties with the US.

As for power projection, no other nation has 10% of the power projection potential of the US. However, that sword is getting rusty and Obama is letting it rust.

[Crazieman]

Probably the most accurate, video-game/RPG related reply I’ve seen yet.