Andrew Coyne has a good column today regarding the future of Stephen Harper. Hint - if Mr. Coyne has his way it will be the same as OL Harper's current role. When Mr. Coyne is finished with his latest retreat from blogging maybe he will post it.
...he [Harper] remains for all his faults, head and shoulders above any likely rival: sounder on policy, sharper on tactics, stronger under fire. The most adolescent part of the Tory character is its perpetual tendency to keen after Mr. Right, that perfect leader who exists...somewhere. Even Mr. Harper's worst critics must surely sober up, if they have any sense, the moment they consider the alternatives. Who, precisely, is it proposed should replace him? Peter MacKay? Bernard Lord? Maybe Belinda, in a bold recrossing of the floor? I know, let's bring back Joe Clark: the old man, the old flag, the old non-policy.
For the record I quite like MP Peter MacKay...not enough to replace Opposition Leader Harper. I like him even more.
...The Grits may have repelled your last assault, amd are now reapinf the rewards in the polls (everybody loves a winner). But they have done so at the cost of immense long-term damage to their reputation, and especially that of their leader. Over time, that will tell.
Bravo. All this talk of replacing OL Harper is nonsense. On the other hand, Julie Van Dusen's report on CBC Politics this morning is good news. The reinvention tour will be beginning - a softer Mr. Harper, a focus on the bright young team and the introduction of the policy platform. I can't wait to be at one of those BBQs.
