Harper Learns A Lesson In Geopolitics

That will comfort those tired of being this continent's wussy Europeans, and it's hardly debilitating domestically for a prime minister whose first concern is turning a current minority government into a future majority. Out in the wider world, it leads to performances that range from impressive to troubling. It's no surprise then that Harper's best act was his first. Meeting George W. Bush in Washington, the Prime Minister took full advantage of warming relations to underline Canada's importance to the U.S. as energy pump, steady friend and, increasingly, active ally. It was a strong appearance best remembered for a soliloquy in the White House East Room. Using unusually clear words for a Canadian prime minister on a U.S. president's turf, Harper warned that narrowing an open border would be a triumph for terrorists. Harper would not fashion as seminal a moment from any of the serial meetings that followed. Instead, he found how easy it is to muff a line. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1153518609727&call_pageid=970599119419

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