Source : Globe & Mail

Tory Leader Stephen Harper does not project warmth, and in the last election he went into a bit of a sulk when things weren't going his way. A year later, he is a changed man. This week, he kissed babies, drew pictures with cute kids, and even playfully threw a snowball (in April?) at CTV's Craig Oliver. He missed. Mr. Harper said it was on purpose. Had it been the other network, however, he suggested he wouldn't have missed. (The western Conservatives are not generally fond of the CBC.)

Meanwhile, insiders say Mr. Harper is under intense pressure from his own party to force an election. And Tories are putting a brave face on yesterday's poll results showing the Liberals back in front.

"Everyone on the Conservative side knew it would be tough," a Tory strategist said. ". . . polls just reflect that. [It's] a dogfight all the way through!"

Dogfight, indeed.

Yesterday, the Liberals stepped up their efforts to demonize Mr. Harper. The Liberal "talking points" sent to MPs characterize him as a "neo-conservative" who has a hidden agenda. These points, which Liberal MPs are encouraged to use when speaking on radio, television or to constituents, noted that Mr. Harper was giving a speech yesterday to the right-wing Fraser Institute, and is a friend of that institute.

"Harper recently denied his support for a Fraser Institute report calling for the elimination of the federal role in heath-care management and financing and breaking down barriers to private delivery of health services." Don't you think the Liberals are reaching just a bit?

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© Globe & Mail

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