I was just rummaging through some of my ancient files and I came across a Canadian Press story dated January 15, 1997.
The story was about then Reform Party MP, Stephen Harper dropping out of partisan politics and joining the employ of the National Citizens Coalition.
At one point in the article it says, “Harper, widely known as a Reform caucus moderate, was one of the early players in building Reform from a Western protest movement to a national party…” (Emphasis mine)
Did you get that?
Back in 1997, Harper was “widely” viewed as a moderate.
So why is it during the last election the Liberals and large segments of the media were tripping all over themselves in their attempts to portray Harper as some sort of scary, right-wing extremist?
I mean Harper was pretty much the same guy in 2006 as he was in 1997.
Maybe people just have short memories.
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3 comments:
By Reform Party standards he was a moderate. But that is only because the Reform Party was so far to the right that moderate by their standards is still extreme by Canadian standards.
The Reform Party was largely an import of American neo-conservatism, which has no base or history in Canada, which is why they failed.
The Liberals, their media sidekicks and Miles(above) tried their best to portray Harper as an "American neo-conservative" or way right of right, but it didn't work then, and the longer Harper's in power, AND the longer the looney left keep insisting on spinning this yarn instead of focussing on their own problems(and they have plenty), Harper's got nothing to worry about. The Liberals have at least 3 years minimum to redefine themselves. Until then. Too bad for Miles and his spin.
The Liberals, their media sidekicks and Miles(above) tried their best to portray Harper as an "American neo-conservative" or way right of right, but it didn't work then, and the longer Harper's in power, AND the longer the looney left keep insisting on spinning this yarn instead of focussing on their own problems(and they have plenty), Harper's got nothing to worry about. The Liberals have at least 3 years minimum to redefine themselves. Until then. Too bad for Miles and his spin.
Harper has a minority so he won't do anything extreme until he gets a majority. And no the Liberals are not destined to be in opposition for long. Canadians are already beginning to question the Conservatives and I think the Liberals have an excellent chance at winning the next election. Dion or Kennedy could easily beat Harper while even Ignatieff could probably beat him albeit with a weak Liberal minority. Bob Rae would lose, but at least hold Harper to a minority (lose seats in Ontario, gain seats in Quebec, status quo elsewhere), while only Joe Volpe would help Harper get a majority.
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