Conservative strategy...
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/15/harper-image050615.html
Well, I guess he's off to a good start, since the first paragraph of this article got me laughing!
Coming soon to a barbecue near you: A warmer, funnier Stephen Harper
Last Updated Wed, 15 Jun 2005 15:48:06 EDT
CBC News
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper will hit the festival and barbecue circuit across Canada this summer to persuade voters he's a nice, warm guy with a good sense of humour.
It's part of a tactical plan to improve the 46-year-old politician's image and thus attract more votes in the next election.
"We could be in a campaign sooner rather than later," Harper said Wednesday as he left a caucus meeting in Ottawa. "We don't have time to navel-gaze here."
It's been hard to avoid self-examination lately, with the Conservatives stalling in public-opinion polls despite damaging revelations about Liberal wrongdoings in the sponsorship scandal during the late 1990s. Conservative election campaign co-chair John Reynolds said Harper's summer tour should reverse that trend by displaying his real personality.
"He's going to see some of the nicer parts of Canada, with his family, and I think when Canadians get to see that, we'll come back in September looking very good in the polls," said Reynolds.
The summer won't be all play and no work for Harper, however. He told reporters he will also use the tour to unveil policies on health, child care and defence.
Party has 'sunny disposition,' says MacKay
Conservative MPs have to show Canadians that they have a "sunny disposition" and aren't the negative naysayers the Liberals would paint them to be, said deputy leader Peter MacKay.
Getting to know the real Stephen Harper is an intelligent first step, MacKay said.
"People have a misperception of Mr. Harper - and that's been done deliberately to try to marginalize him - but he's smart, he's honest, he's hard-working and I think he'll make a good prime minister some day," he said.
"He actually has a very good sense of humour. It's sometimes subtle, you can miss it, [but] you know, I think Canadians will like him when they get to know him."
Harper acknowledged he has a reputation for being stiff. His wife Laureen has been known to remind him to lighten up, he told reporters. "My wife said to me recently, 'You do need to have more fun,'" he said Wednesday. "She said, 'You're not having enough fun even by your standards.'"
Martin suggests some summer reading
Prime Minister Paul Martin, who has often battled his own waistline, took some time out in Question Period to offer advice to his political enemy.
"I understand the dangers of the barbecue circuit, and I would therefore like to table this document for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition," he told the House of Commons.
"It's called The South Beach Diet."
Copyright ©2005 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved