NDP ad ties Liberal, Tory leaders to U.S. (Jack Layton trying to court the Anti-American vote)

CBC News ^ | June 9, 2004 | CBC

[El Conservador]

SASKATOON - The NDP is launching a television ad warning Canadians that Stephen Harper and Paul Martin want Canada to get too close to the U.S.

NDP strategists say the ad is being released to coincide with Martin's meeting with Bush at the G-8 summit in Georgia.

In the new ad, President George W. Bush is featured prominently alongside pictures of Martin and Harper. The message is that only NDP Leader Jack Layton can keep Canada from becoming too close to the United States.

"Both Paul Martin and Stephen Harper want to move Canada closer to George Bush," the ad says.

"Jack Layton believes we can be good neighbours without sacrificing our values or independence," the ad goes on to say.

Layton has often mentioned Bush in his campaign speeches and has suggested the other parties are too much in agreement with the U.S. administration on issues like the war in Iraq or the missile defence program.

The NDP opposes the U.S. missile program, saying it will lead to the weaponization of space.

In Saskatoon on Tuesday, Layton repeated the message that both the Liberals and Conservatives support the American missile defence plan.

"Some speak about it like Mr. Harper. Some actually do it like Mr. Martin with his decision to get involved in Star Wars missile defence talks with Mr. Bush," Layton said.

"I think that passes the test when it comes to cosiness."

Written by CBC News Online staff

[El Conservador]

Ahhh, the always-effective American boogie-man scare tactics.

Gets you some vote, but not many.

[SB00]

That's typical for the NDP. No surprise there.