Stephen, Listen To Us
Granted, we have, in the past, advised Conservative Leader Stephen Harper to stop listening to the media. But based on recent events, we have had a change of heart.
Mr. Harper -- LISTEN TO US.
Stop trying to be something you're not -- the Mel Lastman of federal politics. Stop dressing up in funny hats and outfits like this -- see photo, below -- and trying to be a gladhander.
You've allowed Paul Martin's hatchet men to define you. They put out the word you were an "angry" guy and now you're running around trying to turn on the charm at every barbecue east and west of the Stampede.
STOP. Don't listen to the media -- except for us -- and especially not to the Globe and Mail, which prominently featured this week-old, unflattering photo of you Friday with a catty cutline quoting Warren Kinsella saying that any adviser who allowed you to appear in public looking like this should have been hanged.
Even though Kinsella is a rabid Jean Chretien loyalist, he does have two slightly redeeming qualities. One: He hates Martin's shills almost as much as you do. Two: In this case, he's right.
In any event, the Globe is now so openly Liberal (like the Star, and, increasingly, the National Post) that, as Paul Wells of Mac-lean's recently observed, their headlines might as well read: "Oh, for the love of God, just vote Liberal". Forget them.
And go to any barbecue you like. But please, dress however you feel comfortable, which, in your case, seems to be a suit without the tie. Fine, although in this heat no one is going to complain if you ditch the jacket and roll up your sleeves.
Whatever you wear, why not try out something like this when it comes time to deliver your message?
"Look folks, I'm not a gladhander. Wearing cowboy hats and kissing babies just isn't my style. But I'm happy to be here with you today and like you, I love my family, I love Canada and I know the value of a dollar. I promise you, if you elect me as your prime minister, I won't steal your money. I will work hard to fix our health care system and to make Canada a country of which we can always be proud."
Oh, and one more thing. You know how Martin and his lackeys keep warning Canadians that you have a "hidden agenda"?
Well, why don't you put out what your agenda is right now -- on ethics, health care, defence, justice, daycare -- the works?
Then you just have to trust the will of Canadians.
But your chances will be a whole lot better if people sense that you're fighting for what you honestly believe in, rather than trying to be something you're not.
