John Mraz, a Liberal strategist who sends us occasional columns, is befuddled by the inexplicable (to him) success of Stephen Harper.
How does he do it, he asks. He survived the coalition, the economic downturn, the fuss over detainees, the swine flu furor. Not only did he surivive, he prospered. He might as well have a majority for all the opposition he faces.
Mraz outlines some “facts” he feels should counteract Canadians’ willingness to continue supporting the government: the disastrous Liberal/NDP coalition “was neither illegal nor unconstitutional” and similar alliances worked elsewhere. “I have no idea why our Governor-General saw fit to prorogue parliament and deny Canadians their democratic rights,” he says.
Harper broke his word on the economy, introducing a deficit after promising never to do so; he shows no love of the climate change campaign, even though thousands of “venerated” scientists insist the danger is real; he doesn’t seem to care about Omar Khadr, nor is he adequately repentant for accusations of abuse of Afghan detainees.
Besides all that, he’s rude to civil servants.
For the benefit of John, and in the spirit of Christmas giving, here’s why Harper isn’t paying a price for these alleged offenses.
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I think Harper gets away with it because he’s a hockey nut. He knows how to pull a Gordie Howe — deak in the corners, sneak an elbow in here and there (“Who, me?”) and drive the puck into the net whenever the opposing team gives him the chance, which they do a lot.
In truth (and I’ve said this many times) — Canada has never seen a politician like Harper and there is a lot more to come. Obama should pay attention.
Obama is too busy admiring himself and giving himself good grades.
mid island mike
And yet a majority government continues to elude HM PM Harper.