This is calling out for his wisdom.
...Sources say his remarks are being talked about as a "mini-throne speech," with the broad strokes of what he plans to do on such major public policy issues as the environment and Senate reform.
The possibility of Harper making a major policy speech to articulate his next key priorities has been floating around since last fall.
...The speech helps form the backbone of an election platform, with a campaign potentially in the offing as early as this spring.
I can feel coming in the air tonight, night, night...
Comments (15)
Chester? Chester?
Posted by Alan | February 6, 2007 9:27 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 09:27
I just wish he would spend half the energy on governing as he does on PR.
Posted by Greg | February 6, 2007 10:06 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 10:06
They will essentially be test-driving his budget/election platform from now till March 20. My guess is that Harper is counting backwards from an early/mid May vote.
As far as PR goes, Harper’s Job #1 is to maximize his party’s electoral prospects going forward. He is doing his job, because if he fails to sustain/increase the seat count, someone else will be after it.
Posted by Anonymous | February 6, 2007 10:36 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 10:36
Dead Hand of Socialism Greg, are you implying that Harper governs in a manner to which you approve?
Posted by Dr. Strangelove | February 6, 2007 10:52 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 10:52
Dead Hand of Socialism Greg, are you implying that Harper governs in a manner to which you approve?
I am not sure Dr. S. He seems to have run out of gas after his four priorities. So much so he can’t even implement the Accountability Act. He spends most of his time running in an election that hasn’t even been called.
Posted by Greg | February 6, 2007 10:58 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 10:58
“As far as PR goes, Harper’s Job #1 is to maximize his party’s electoral prospects going forward. “
Silly me, I thought his #1 job was being the Prime Minister of Canada and governing the country. How very naive of me.
Alan, fear not, Chester will be along any minute to inform us I am wrong. He can answer Greg’s question then.
Posted by Mike | February 6, 2007 11:08 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 11:08
Mike, I think we’re going to agree again today.
Yes that’s the problem with a minority government; too much time is wasted on PR because an election can happen any minute.
So the solution is to launch 5 new priorities and go for a majority. Dion and Lizzy May and Jack can all fight over their only priority and split the left 3 ways. What are we waiting for?
Posted by nomdenet | February 6, 2007 11:31 AM
Posted on February 6, 2007 11:31
“I thought his #1 job was being the Prime Minister of Canada and governing the country.”
No, that’s not what you thought at all, Mike. What you thought was that his #1 job was being the PM you want him to be. By “governing”, of course you don’t mean the term in its generic sense. It’s a term of art for you. It means “governing in a manner consistent with my statist beliefs”. That’s fine. We all have our idiosyncrasies, but let’s not pretend you are prepared to accept anything other than collectivist oriented policy.
Not that Harper is exactly a libertarian, of course. Best of a bad lot by far, though.
Posted by Alan | February 6, 2007 12:36 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 12:36
Chester graciously accepts all expressions of interest in his opinion. You are wise to seek them out. (Note, announcement of Mike being in error to follow under seperate comment.)
There will be an election soon (as previously declared by Chester), and Harper is laying the foundation. By moving on the environment early on after the Liberal leadership, he has forced Dion leftward so that now only the CPC can offer a balanced responsible approach, leaving the Libs. NDP and Greens to fight over how we should meet targets in an economically irrisponsible manner.
This mini throne is the second part of the strategy, whereby Harper can now move onto other issues (yes there are other issues but don’t let Dion in on that little secret). He now has the stage to himself, perhaps along with the centrist voters.
Posted by Chester | February 6, 2007 12:56 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 12:56
Chester interrupts this comment thread for a special announcement:
Mike is wrong.
Thank you,
Conservatively yours,
Chester.
Posted by Chester | February 6, 2007 12:57 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 12:57
Chester, your conciseness shames me.
Posted by Alan | February 6, 2007 1:07 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 13:07
Am I the only one who has noticed that my blog has become a sitcom?
Posted by Greg Staples | February 6, 2007 1:16 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 13:16
“balanced responsible approach”
Translation: Do nothing.
Posted by Greg | February 6, 2007 2:05 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 14:05
“Translation: Do nothing.”
Cynicism in a socialist. Very unbecoming.
You are such a crappy Buddhist, man!
Posted by Alan | February 6, 2007 3:45 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 15:45
You are such a crappy Buddhist, man!
Don’t I know it. I make my teacher cry.
Posted by Greg | February 6, 2007 4:15 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 16:15