The news link up top caught my attention. I don't believe for a minute that you've ordered your campaign people to toss out non-supporters at events. That kind of minutia is just not your turf when you're out there stumping . . . you're quoted in the piece as saying:
"Staff runs our campaigns and I can't comment on individual matters like that.''Sorry Stephen, not good enough.
First, why were your staffers checking out people's Facebooks before they came in to hear you speak? I think that's creepy and I'm one of your supporters.
Second, your reaction to this very, very bad situation should not have been so blithe. You should find out who these girls were and invite them to talk with you personally . . . not only would it be a grand gesture, it would be the right thing to do.
Third, you should not fire the dorks who stopped them. You should give proper direction to those handling your campaign that you'd rather be disrupted by hecklers than by *their* stupidity.
You seem to have lightened up over the past few years and it suits you. It would serve you well to suggest your staffers do the same.
Finally, I hope you quit finding molehills to trip over, but when you do, remember that only you can make a misstep better--- not by shrugging it off like it was nothing --- because it wasn't *nothing* to those young women -- but by saying *wow, I didn't know that happened. I'd really like to make things right . . . * and then doing something to show you mean it.
Stephen, I've always thought you were the best man for the job, but the job is about more than just policy and platforms -- it's about people. You know it . . . so don't leave it to some staffer when things go wrong.
Sincerely,
Canadianna
27 comments:
I totally agree with you.
I'd also like to add the contempt shown to media needs to stop as well. I think a good majority of our media has a liberal tilt but that is irrelevant to getting the message out. If it means giving reporters more time for questions than so be it. Haprer simply needs to kiss up to the media at every chance and expect nothing in return. It will pay dividends in time.
When the media starts to show some respect to Mr. Harper then and ONLY then should he show respect to the media.I for one am tired of this 'gotcha journalism .
The media have it in their power to decide in a close race. Think of Robert Standfield's dropped football, after several perfect catches (1972). CPC just can't win a pissing contest with the current media personalities.
Iggy has publicly said everyone is welcome at his events. I take that as an invitation. Wear blue CPC shirts and bring CPC signs. Let's see how welcome you are.
This campaign has been disappointing, its been a small snowball rolling out of control, he has a week to get it right or the media will decide this election for him, and, he'll have no one else to blame but himself. Dont whine and bitch about the media, they can be tamed if he so chooses, I just cant figure out why he's taking this mad at the world strategy. Very curious.
The ideal voter is one that spends the time to look at all available options and makes an informed decision based on the information and impressions they gather. What this type of thing says is "if you weren't part of our base before the election then piss off,we don't want you." The key to a majority is to get more people voting for you, not driving them away.
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/04/05/matt-gurney-strong-leaders-dont-hide-from-young-voters/
It was in the Canadian press article that in Ignatieff's rally a pregnant reporter got elbowed in the stomache by one of his security people. Oh course thats being hushed up.The girl at the ralley had NDP stickers all over her van also. Since PM Harper had death threats his security people have to be extra careful. With the actions right now of the rat pack media , like Terry Mildewski from CBC, i don't blame the PM for having a distaste for these guys. Bob Fife is another trouble maker. Doesn't matter what the PM tells them anyways. They only report what can be twisted and made nasty.Listen to the questions he is asked. Never about policy, just dirt.He is also always asked to do it in french and english and not Ignatieff. He answers questions like poet or someone unhinged. All blather so they don't dig deep into his bogus platform of TAX and spend BS.
Yes, Harper can improve his optics. But we can also spread the message about DeathStar 2011 - The Red Book menace:
http://burpnrun.blogspot.com/2011/04/deathstar-2011-liberal-red-book-fantasy.html
What election are you watching anyway? The one I'm watching has our guy leading in the polls and a majority is in our sights. Who cares what the press thinks they should have paid more attention in school and gotten better jobs.
"Who cares what the press thinks they should have paid more attention in school and gotten better jobs"
Um, Im thinking anyone who wants a majority cares what the press thinks. They aint changing, so, Mr Nasty better.
Nothing but contempt for the media. Treat them the way they treat all Conservatives.
I remember when Stockwell Day had chocolate milk thrown on him at Conestoga College in Kitchener during a campaign.
Let the anarchists find another target.
I wouldn't count on polls 3 weeks out from the election. There are the "debates" yet as well. Why give the media and Liberals a stick to beat you with. Which looks worse, ejecting young non-conservatives from your rally or putting up with them unless they cause disruptions and then turfing them?
OMGoodness, let's get real! I know people that have tried to go to a Liberal rally...thrown out and while living in Halifax,I tried to see the PM Chretien speak during an election. Not a flippin'chance!
Has anyone read the message boards lately at the various lefty sights? Those people are certifiable and this IS the PM of Canada.
Perhaps if the students are indeed legitimate (so far I haven't seen that), they can arrange a private setting. This PM would do that and it's time that everyone get the fact that no one gets close to Leaders of countries, no one!
This is truly ridiculous!
When the larger mass of the electorate 'wakes up' a week or two from election day, I don't want the practiced media message to focus on Harper's integrity. This election is about media issue focus, and the ability of parties to control the balance of that media message. Iggy has an inherent advantage, because wuith few exceptions the media is left-biased and anti-Harper.
I think, therefore, that Conservative campaign management is quite lacking. Clearly when a spendthrift Liberal platform containing glaring financial problems comes second place in the MSM to Iggy's character assassination of Harper, the job of media management is failing.
If it stays that way when the majority starts paying attention, then all is lost.
It does not matter what Harper does the media will trash it,I wish he would Challenge them sometimes, but then they would accuse him of whining he just has to ride out the storm even if conservatives start giving him a ride.
I agree with you to a certain extent, Canadianna, but as Anonymous @ 4:25 PM said, the media completely omitted mention of the other similar incident at an Ignatieff rally.
Why no outrage at that incident? Why hardly any mention of that by all those well-informed pundits and editorial ... er ... I mean "reporters"?
Also, the accusation that rallies are open only to supporters. Well, isn't that a definition of a rally -- an event or gathering of supporters of a party?
Are the other leaders' rallies open to the general public? I doubt it.
Is it simply a coincidence that there's a lot of people wearing red at Liberal rallies and a lot of orange at NDP ones? Once again, I doubt it.
IF it is true that the person's FaceBook page was scoured for information, then that is truly a ham-fisted approach that needs to stop.
So, I guess I disagree with you more than I agree, after all ;-)
-- Gabby in QC
Hi,
I have a question for the webmaster/admin here at canadianna.blogspot.com.
May I use some of the information from this blog post above if I provide a backlink back to your website?
Thanks,
James
Stop believing the media. It's the norm to remove trouble makers from rallys, you just don't hear about it from the usual media. Even Iggy is doing it: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/dossiers/elections-federales/201104/05/01-4386903-le-premier-passage-dignatieff-a-quebec-marque-par-un-cafouillage.php
You are being fooled by the coalition - the media and every other frindge special interest group in the country. I expect more thougtfullness from conservatives.
For more info on those students, please read http://blackrod.blogspot.com/
Stop believeing the media? For 98+% of the electorate, the media is all they see. If the media wants Harper gone, he will be gone. It is that simple.
Latest pollsters on P&P saying the election question is becoming ethics. That stays true and we lose. Period.
Expert Tom and others who suggest we ignore the media, this isn't about the media. This is all about Harper sloughing off an obvious mistake by his people. All he had to do was say *I didn't know. I'll look into that.* But instead he acted like it had nothing to do with him. The paper quoted his words -- and his words showed a distinct lack of caring. Spin it how you want, it looks bad. Most people don't pay as much attention to politics as bloggers do. For those casual observers, Harper blew it.
Canadianna, when people vote 3 weeks from now, they will think more about their pocketbook than whether or not they like the guy. Those wanting handouts will vote liberal or ndp, and those wanting tax breaks will vote conservative, IMHO.
And of course, if the media would bother to mention the eight-million-pound gorilla that is Ignatieff's carbon tax proposal, well... we'll see, won't we?
Oh, and welcome back!
Hi,
This is a inquiry for the webmaster/admin here at canadianna.blogspot.com.
Can I use part of the information from this blog post above if I provide a link back to your website?
Thanks,
Thomas
After reading this blog, I honestly think that you have the exact idea of what are you talking about.I seriously wish to congratulate you for your passion towards your work that has made you stand today at this stage.Truly speaking,there has not been even a time that I have gone through your blog and went without getting some good knowledge.Get Going.And yes i have bookmarked your site canadianna.blogspot.com .
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