Originally coined by Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, the ABC Campaign (which suggests that Canadians vote for Anybody But Conservative) has, in my world, become more refined into voting ABH (Anybody But Harper). I have been avoiding talking about politics, a topic that borders on religious belief and zeal, but my current perception of the Conservative campaign is increasingly drawn to their leader and how much I do not what him to win. Incidentally that was the unintended result of a voter-marketing strategy keyed to the leader and not the party; and I think that they have shone a light on the most critical weak point that they could have.
Let me put it blunt for them: “I will not vote for Stephen Harper because I have no confidence in him, his choices, his wisdom and his direction as leader.” Period.
A few bullet points on why I believe this. They are in not particular order but just what comes bubbling to the top as I type this. Obviously some are more important than others but they all have an impact.
- Negative Ads – do not work, especially from the same source that warned the opposition parties would try this tactic; a source that did not let the opposition parties get their gears running in that prophetic direction before unleashing a torrent of personally targeted ads. At the start of the campaign, Mr Harper warned that opposition parties would turn the campaign negative and, over the course of the run-up to this election, his party has led the way. Let me take a moment to quote two direct-to-email messages I received from Conservative and Liberal website after signing up for policy announcements. This is an example the direction that two differing parties have taken when it comes to negativity.From an email titled: Vote Today (referencing the early voting period for people who could not cast their ballots on election day) – Note the immediate start of hostilities; this email continues in this fashion, finally ending with a call to vote:
October 03, 2008The outcome of this election is far from certain and Canadians have a clear choice:A real plan for the economy from Stephen Harper or a risky plan from Stéphane Dion. We can’t let Stéphane Dion plunge the country into deficit. We can’t let him impose his sweeping new carbon tax. We can’t let him drive up costs for job-creating businesses. From an email titled: Vote Today (referencing the early voting period for people who could not cast their ballots on election day) – Note the intention to get people to vote; this email contained not a single reference to party politics or policy:
Vote Today!
Liberal Friend,
Did you know you can vote today? Election Day is still more than a week away, but there is no need to wait until then. Advance polls are open starting today at a location right in your neighbourhood. Polls are open today and Monday (October 4 and 6), from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.
- Political Reform and Openness – Since taking office on a promise to open up the political process and reform government the Conservatives under Stephen Harper failed to do anything. Harper even went as far as to lock down the PMO (Prime Ministers Office) with regard to anything media related. All media access has to be carefully choreographed which has stifled any critical comments or questions with regard to the current regime.
- Bad Ads – Starting with the plea to the voters that he is a family man who plays guitar with his son. Yeah. I am willing to bet that not a single politician, no matter who, would not say a similar thing to get themselves elected. Lets take a phrase from the move Hunt for Red October: “Listen, I’m a politician which means I’m a cheat and a liar, and when I’m not kissing babies I’m stealing their lollipops.” Yeah, and that is immediately what crossed my mind when I saw fatherly, sweater wearing, home-man Harper telling us how much he loves his family…
- A Party of One – I do not want to elect a person to office. I want to elect a team who can tackle the problems that our country and our citizens face. Take a look at the recently released Conservative Policy paper with 22 photographs of the man himself. And yes, what political rant would not be complete without a little one sided rumour mongering:
Rumour has it that Mr. Harper’s idea of what sort of art you should hang on your wall was signalled by his removal of all pictures of previous Conservative prime ministers from their lobby room – including John A. and Dief the Chief – and their replacement by pictures of none other than Mr. Harper himself.
Actually, if I could I would recommend that you read her writings there as published over the past few days. I find myself agreeing with her on almost every point – and this is not necessarily a slight on the Conservative party but for my vote its Anything But Harper.
To be creative is, in fact, Canadian – Margaret Atwood in the Globe and Mail
Anything but a Harper majority – Margaret Atwood in the Globe and Mail
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