An added note

In the post below, I quoted Steven Fletcher who talked about how Stephen Harper is making Canada "stronger, safer and better".

This is actually a common phrase coming out of the government these days. For example, it is included in this PMO press release. (It has to be said that I actually agree with the slogan on all three counts.)

Singing from the same song sheet is all fine and well when it comes to a united policy front and not going off script when it comes to contentious issues that could potentially hurt the party in terms of public opinion. Harper seems to have been determined to unite his party's messaging after the 2004 defeat, but it looks like they've just gone way too far in how they go about it.

While a united policy front is practical and looks disciplined, using the same catchphrases and slogans just comes across as cynical and artificial. Wouldn't Steven Fletcher have looked more genuine if he said something a bit more off the cuff? Like Stephen Harper is making Canada "safer, stronger and more prosperous" or whatever? (The use of better seems odd and comes across as a bit egotistical in how it overstates the Government of Canada's ability to immediately impact the nature of the entire country in a positive way)

Sorta disgusting

Was watching an announcement by Stephen Harper earlier today, where he was announcing funding for spinal cord research with Rick Hansen and Steven Fletcher. Fletcher is one of Harper's MPs who is paralyzed, and he seems like a likeable enough guy, but his introduction of Harper was more than a little over the top.

"Rick Hansen is one of my heroes, and I'm also blessed today to share the stage with another hero of mine. A man of extraordinary energy and determination, who has also surpassed expectations and defied preconceptions. A man of conviction who delivers on his committments and who is singleminded in his resolve to make Canada stronger, safer and better. A man who as leader of my party and as Prime Minister of Canada, is getting things done for all of us. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper."

"is getting things done for all of us" - including the party's next campaign slogan in his introduction of Harper at a spinal cord funding event - WAY over the top!

And how do you go from hailing a genuine hero like Hansen to describing your political boss in even more glowing terms? It just seemed really... eastern-bloc/Soviet-like. I couldn't imagine Harper was comfortable with it at all. It's as if Harper's MPs buy into the whole idea of the leader-based party and what not more than Harper would even prefer. Or perhaps they simply need to go over that whole relationship a bit better in caucus. It's one thing to hail your leader as a man of integrity, someone who has a spine of steel, etc. etc., but it's quite another to behave as Fletcher did earlier today.

Now probably, Fletcher is angling for a post in the cabinet... and today's comments shouldn't disqualify him or anything, but they surely should not in anyway enhance his prospects.