As always, this seems to make a natural Canadian politics open thread, so feel free to use it as such.
Paul Wells presents a clear example of how much Harper's Conservatives simply copy John Howard's Australian Liberal party, right down to their campaign commercials.
Peter Worthington: Palin is amazing, completely won the VP debate. Even though she brought up no good points, didn't know many "facts" or even speak coherently, she was "likeable" and, as we all know, that is the only qualification that really matters. Also, McCain needs to win tonights debate and I wish I could have his manbabies. [Ed note: Normally I stick to Canadian only pundits, but this was simply unbelievable.]
Don Martin lists a bunch of high-profile races, including Edmonton-Strathcona, where Linda Duncan may turn a seat orange in deep-blue Alberta.
Rahim Jaffer: I don't believe it, but polling experts with far greater insight than me put this Edmonton riding at risk. A Conservative seat? In danger? In the one-party state of Alberta? Impossible. But New Democrat Linda Duncan came within 10% of taking down Mr. Jaffer in 2006, a nail-biter by Alberta standards. And this formidable environmentalist is back at it again with an even weaker Liberal rival ...
Letters to the Star discuss the recent domestic political terrorism (read: brake-lines cut) against Liberal party supporters throughout Toronto. Frighteningly, other than this, most editorial pages across Canada seem silent on this shameful incident.
Margaret Atwood, one of the most-honored authors of fiction in recent history says "Anything but a Harper majority."
Why do I feel so strongly about this? It's not just the arts. True, Mr. Harper doesn't understand the arts — especially the arts math, the $87-billion, the 1.1 million jobs. But his arts position is symptomatic of his deeply worrying, out-of-touch, out-of-date boy-in-a-bubble thinking towards everything. Like George W. Bush, he sticks to his ideology and ignores the evidence - so even though arts-bashing was hurting his polls in Quebec, he didn't climb down. Instead, as Mr. Duceppe paraphrased in the French-language debate, he seems to think artists are "spoiled children."
If that is indeed how Mr. Harper views grown-up artists, then what are grown-up voters? They, too, are children: a view Mr. Harper learned well during his University-of-Calgary-Reform-Party-firewall-around-Alberta think-tanking days. I just got back from Edmonton, and that's what I heard there. People should be managed from behind the scenes by a few superior intelligences such as his; they must be told sugar-coated lies; and you should decide everything really important about their lives without consulting them.
The Calgary Herald applauds Vancouver's city council for allowing electric cars on their roads and asks for more cities to do the same, starting with Calgary.
Margaret Wente:
Stephen Harper's reaction to the world financial meltdown reminds me of a cop at the scene of a monumental crack-up. "Move it right along, folks. Nothing to see here."
Sure, Canada is different. Our banks are sound (aren't they?) and we don't believe in deficits (for now). But every time Mr. Harper says we've got nothing to worry about, my friends burst out laughing. Their life savings are evaporating by the minute. Their houses are worth less than they were last month, and next month they'll be worth less than now. Every time I go into the office, people are staring at the stock indexes and going, "Oh God, oh God, oh God."
Yesterday I phoned my husband from the office. "The stock market went down another thousand points," I said. "But don't worry, because the PM says he's an optimist."
"Oh God," he said.
Greg Weston: Harper can be empathic to those losing their savings. You just have to look really really close.
Harper at least tried to sound empathetic towards those losing their savings.
Somehow, it didn't exactly bring a tear to the eye.
In fact, it is quite likely the prime minister's heartfelt hug would have gone completely unnoticed had the PM's official spokesman not summoned reporters.
"What you want to pay attention to is on page two of the speech," the spokesman announced.
And sure enough, look closely and there it was -- empathy.
Paul Wells has a nice catch. Harper apparently has a plan, we're just not allowed to see it.
Linda McQuaig discusses Harper's not-so-secret agenda.
While this agenda is not "secret," my guess is few Canadians know about it. That's because Harper, realizing it would be unpopular, unveiled it when Canadians weren't paying attention – in fact, we were sleeping. Sometime in the dark of night last June 20, the Harper government posted a plan on the Department of National Defence's website – called Canada First Defence Strategy – to spend an eye-popping $490 billion over the next 20 years on the military.
Given all the recent buzz about the size of the $700 billion Wall Street bailout in the United States, it's striking to note that Ottawa quietly announced a plan to spend nearly half a trillion dollars on the military, almost in passing.
Danielle Smith: Since he's so unpopular in Alberta, it's time for Ed Stelmach to go and buy some votes from the people of Alberta with their own money. We all know that worked for his predecessor, Ralph Klein. Personally, I know I could use a $500 cheque.
Martin Regg Cohn: Dion's problem isn't a lack of charisma, but a lack of "presence" -- None of the party leaders are charismatic.
Get over it, Canada. We need to look beyond personalities and ask ourselves not just what we want in a politician (brains plus charisma) but what we need from our politics.
Who can provide integrity and empathy? Economic growth? Stewardship of our finances? Movement on the environment? Safeguard our social programs? Protect Canadian culture?
Canadians feel trapped between a Prime Minister they distrust deeply and an opposition leader they disrespect deeply. So far, opinion polls suggest voters are favouring the über-politician over the anti-politician.
And choosing sweaters over satchels. We may regret the missed opportunity.
Paula Simons introduces the main players in the upcoming Alberta Liberal Party leadership race.
The room in awash in bright red David Swann signs, buttons and posters. Swann, a second-term MLA from Calgary-Mountain View and a physician with a notable background in public health and grassroots environment activism, has the best campaign props.
His striking posters feature a shot of him, looking soulfully messianic, against a dramatic mountain backdrop. And Swann presents himself as the candidate of ideals, who can provide courageous, inspiring leadership, comparing himself, at one point, to Barack Obama.
...
Mo Elsalhy is the youngest of the candidates, and the most eagerly earnest. He's also the only Edmontonian, since high-profile veterans Laurie Blakeman and Hugh MacDonald opted not to run for the leadership. In 2004, Elsalhy, an engaging pharmacist, was the party's rising star, the gentle giant-killer who knocked off Tory cabinet minister Mark Norris.
...
Dave Taylor, the third and final candidate, is a second-term MLA from Calgary Currie and a former radio talk-show host -- and his deep voice and ability to hold an audience's attention stand him in good stead in debate. He's witty and quick, and cuts to the chase without rambling; it's easy to imagine his folksy persona selling extremely well on the doorstep of severely normal Albertans.
Neil Waugh: Because Ed Stelmach was cautious, Alberta won't go into deficit territory. Even though the economy is tanking and the price of oil has dropped, Alberta's 7 billion dollar surplus provides a nice comfortable buffer to the incoming economic storm. [Editor's Note: Too bad Harper wiped out our federal 7 billion dollar surplus during the last few years, eh?]