Harper's Branding Issues

[penlessej]

The Globe and Mail typically has good in depth articles. The one today by Martin Goldfarb is no exception. He talks about product branding (being a marketing expert he knows what he is talking about) and the ability of Stephen Harper to brand himself to the electorate.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080910.welxngoldfarb0910/

Comments

[warrioreowyn]

I think the quote has it spot-on. Harper is making this election about personality and "leadership" because when it comes right down to it, Canadians don't agree with the Conservative ideology. People are basically centre-left: we like having health care, we believe the government has a responsibility to help out people who are shafted by the market economy, we prefer peace in international relations, and a government that is tough on crime and drug use is not our top priority.

If the Liberals (and NDP) are smart they'll ignore the whole branding thing and hit hard against the Conservatives: they squandered a giant surplus, failed to keep the economy in good shape, don't have any substantial achievements, certainly haven't "cleaned up government", are playing politics in the shallowest manner imaginable...

Force Harper to focus on how he compares with the other parties on the issues, and he'll lose. It's ludicrous to have a sitting PM running on "I won't get a majority, don't worry!" It just shows how little his view are in sync with the rest of us.