Posted on 04/10/2006 11:02:48 AM PDT by GMMAC
Harper takes charge
Prime minister establishes firm grip on reins of power
Calgary Sun (Editorial)
April 9, 2006
Prime Minister Stephen Harper certainly established himself and his new government to be in command in the House of Commons this past week.
Canadians likely haven’t seen such a smooth, steady and solid performance from a new prime minister in a generation.
If Bill Graham’s Liberals haven’t now realized the measure of the man, then New Democrat Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe appear as though they have.
In contrast to the garbled performances of Jean Chretien and the dithering blusters of Paul Martin, we witnessed this past week a man with poise and eloquence.
That Harper was witty as well as polished was equally impressive.
We also saw a man who is prepared to pull both Layton and Duceppe onside by actually listening to their points of view. In the Throne Speech, there were nods to Layton on his day-care demands and to Duceppe on Quebec’s aspirations.
While not exactly praising the Conservative thrusts, both Layton and Duceppe made diplomatic gestures indicating they were pleased with Harper’s general attitude towards their concerns and might well be able to work with the new government.
Graham, not unexpectedly, has made it plain he is not prepared to work with Harper.
The interim Liberal leader is still determined to try and thwart the Conservative plan to cut the GST from 7% to 6% in the coming budget.
Since this Conservative election plank had such widespread appeal, to doggedly oppose it — particularly when the NDP and the Bloc will likely support it — appears not only politically foolish, but even malevolent.
It now seems possible Harper will be able to push through his $1,200 a year in direct financial support to families for child care, by actually compromising somewhat on the provincial day-care plan put forward by Martin’s Liberals, and supported by Layton and Duceppe.
If so, all three — Harper, Layton and Duceppe — can claim they got what they wanted.
When the federal financial picture becomes clearer — and the extent of surpluses known — it’s also possible along with the GST cut the Conservatives may well be able to still legislate some of the hastily conceived tax cuts the Liberals frantically pulled together as their shaky reign came to an end.
Again, this would demonstrate Harper’s negotiating skills, and his ability to perhaps use a give-and-take philosophy to pull Opposition MPs to vote for other Conservative initiatives — even if reluctantly.
Why torpedo the Conservative ship when you can at least have some influence with the fellow at the steering wheel?
Of course, Harper set the scene for his style in his dramatic visit to Canadian troops in war-torn Afghanistan, a coup no party leader could criticize.
It must surely have rattled more than a few Opposition MPs.
Harper has now followed up on Afghanistan by agreeing to hold a debate on the military mission there in the Commons this coming week.
That’s a compromise move, for which both Layton and Duceppe are claiming credit.
Since there will be no vote on whether our troops should remain there, the Conservative can’t lose on this one. The opening day of Question Period also showed the weakness of the Liberal stance.
In instance after instance when Grit MPs rose to condemn Harper’s government for not acting on some serious issue — agriculture, being top of the list — he and his cabinet ministers were quick to deflate them by pointing out if the Liberals hadn’t bothered to tackle these issues in 13 years how could they legitimately expect the Conservatives to have solved them within a day or so.
It made the Liberals look ridiculous, even red-faced. Layton and Duceppe seemed more interested in throwing barbs at Graham’s team than at the Conservatives.
Not only a smart strategy at this early stage of the game, but also maybe a hint this minority government might work to everyone’s benefit — except for the Liberals. We won’t shed any tears over that.
We are witnessing the era of a new dawn in Canadian politics.
An era that may result in Harper being rewarded with a significant majority government.
It is reassuring to know our country is in good hands.
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LOVE the cartoon!!!
A great article for sure, and while I'm not ready (yet) to view Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the new Canadian Reagan, he is certainly proving himself to be a shrewed and skilled politician.
One can only imagine what is going through the mind of the Liberals and their pathetic former leader, Mr. Dithers. That cannot be a pretty picture.
If Harper continues as he has begun, I see no way for him to be denied a majority government when the next election is called.
And that will be good for Canadians and for Canada.
GMMAC? Could you perhaps add me to your ping list?
Please and thank you! :)
A lovely woman and a good Christian, by all accounts. A couple of well behaved young kids too.
I agree with you, I'm glad Harper is doing well. Angela Merkel, the new Chancellor of Germany, is doing equally as well, and I hope she and Harper can both govern with majorities very soon.
I would love to love Canada, again.
Heck, I'd love France too, if they'd simply get with the program.
Us Americans are a very forgiving lot. :)
Thanks!
Harper is looking good.
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