Won't Work
Stephen Harper was at it again yesterday, telling a gathering of Ahmaddiya Muslims that they have no better friend than the Conservative Party when it comes to Same-Sex Marriage.
He did this in April as well, at the Vasakhi Nagar Keertan (parade).
He has to understand that when he does this, he comes across as insensitive and prejudiced, which is unfortunate, because I'm sure he mentioned other, more important issues as well. The news reports give the impression that he's a totally insensitive and bigoted white guy who believes that a single issue will sway thousands of "ethnic" votes. Not only does this appear condescending and presumptuous to "ethnic" voters, it also turns away many "white" voters as well.
Now, I'm not intending to join the chorus of bloggers, journalists and commentators who have been pronouncing Harper's political death, manufacturing his inability to connect with voters, or baselessly accusing him of a certain negativity...
I think Stephen Harper is probably the best and most genuinely conservative leader of any Canadian political party in Canadian history. I think he has a real vision for the country and I think he would make a terrific Prime Minister. I will be truly disappointed if he does not become Canada's Prime Minister within the next year.
Let me even expand on that. I'm not even trying to say that he's not yet "ready" for the job. He is MORE than ready for the job. He would make an infinitely better Prime Minister than Paul Martin. Stephen Harper is a smart, strong and decisive leader while Paul Martin is just a weak, weak, and pathetic man. I'm also not suggesting that Stephen Harper is not as "politically smart" as Paul Martin. He is. He's actually smarter in that sense... but he's also the leader of Canada's (current and longstanding) minority party.
He doesn't have as much room for error, especially with a generally hostile media (in the sense that they portray his flaws as far more fatal and irreversible in comparison to Paul Martin) and an opponent that has proven that he'll do whatever he can, in the face of an apatethic electorate, to stay in power...
Speaking to ethnic voters (in my opinion) about SSM is a strategic mistake, bad optics and is generally seen as divisive... as if immigrant voters have different concerns and priorities than "other" Canadians.
Even if he only speaks about it for a relatively short period of time, it really doesn't matter. That's the angle that the media will run with and damage will be done.
He did this in April as well, at the Vasakhi Nagar Keertan (parade).
He has to understand that when he does this, he comes across as insensitive and prejudiced, which is unfortunate, because I'm sure he mentioned other, more important issues as well. The news reports give the impression that he's a totally insensitive and bigoted white guy who believes that a single issue will sway thousands of "ethnic" votes. Not only does this appear condescending and presumptuous to "ethnic" voters, it also turns away many "white" voters as well.
Now, I'm not intending to join the chorus of bloggers, journalists and commentators who have been pronouncing Harper's political death, manufacturing his inability to connect with voters, or baselessly accusing him of a certain negativity...
I think Stephen Harper is probably the best and most genuinely conservative leader of any Canadian political party in Canadian history. I think he has a real vision for the country and I think he would make a terrific Prime Minister. I will be truly disappointed if he does not become Canada's Prime Minister within the next year.
Let me even expand on that. I'm not even trying to say that he's not yet "ready" for the job. He is MORE than ready for the job. He would make an infinitely better Prime Minister than Paul Martin. Stephen Harper is a smart, strong and decisive leader while Paul Martin is just a weak, weak, and pathetic man. I'm also not suggesting that Stephen Harper is not as "politically smart" as Paul Martin. He is. He's actually smarter in that sense... but he's also the leader of Canada's (current and longstanding) minority party.
He doesn't have as much room for error, especially with a generally hostile media (in the sense that they portray his flaws as far more fatal and irreversible in comparison to Paul Martin) and an opponent that has proven that he'll do whatever he can, in the face of an apatethic electorate, to stay in power...
Speaking to ethnic voters (in my opinion) about SSM is a strategic mistake, bad optics and is generally seen as divisive... as if immigrant voters have different concerns and priorities than "other" Canadians.
Even if he only speaks about it for a relatively short period of time, it really doesn't matter. That's the angle that the media will run with and damage will be done.
posted by Japnaam Singh at
9:21 PM
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