Going The Extra Mile For A Photo Op

Liberals know what voters know: The ruling party and its leader aren't perfect. Liberals also know their 2004 campaign successfully branded Harper as scary, making Martin, by comparison, the Liberals' best asset. The result is a measured, carefully controlled Liberal tour that leans on respectful local radio interviews to reinforce the message that on national unity, the economy and defining values, Martin is all that stands between Canada and the Harper abyss. It's a solid strategy built on two assumptions: Conservatives will wear themselves out with one-a-day announcements, and Canadians preoccupied with shopping and parties will pick up their political messages subliminally. But that's not the only good strategy. Conservatives have Harper working hard making the case that this party is no longer your Uncle Wilber's dinosaur party. Unlike earlier Reform, Alliance and Conservative campaigns, this one centres on pragmatism and a self-assessment that is brutally frank. Instead of drink-the-Kool-Aid, true-believer solutions, the party is offering moderately different policy alternatives and, most significantly, now wisely accepts that Harper isn't going to win any popularity contests. Conservatives, particularly those from old Tory ranks, are brutally frank. Promises are designed to carry it from the fringes toward the centre and the overarching purpose of the party's campaign is to move public opinion of Harper away from scary. It's suddenly okay just to dislike Harper. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1134169810371&call_pageid=968332188774

Note: http://www.thestar.com/...