Putting SSM To Bed
Some might have mixed emotions about Tory Leader Stephen Harper's revival of the same-sex marriage issue just hours into Day I of the campaign. Admittedly, I was sceptical at first--especially as he brought the issue up at his behest--but it had the effect of:
a) Keeping the Liberals off-message. The Grits released their campaign ads Tuesday touting Canada's supposed economic strength, but this was page 8 fodder compared to the coverage of Harper's marriage commments.
b) Putting the "hidden agenda" accusations to bed. Whether one agrees with his view on the issue or not, at least Harper finally disclosed something that has been missing from the Tories' discussion of gay marriage since it first became an issue--that if same-sex marriage were repealed, presently constituted marriages would be protected. Not answering this question in the past provided, perhaps quite rightly, fuel for the "hidden agenda" fire.
Now let's move on to some real issues...
posted by ROC @ 12:49 pm
4 comments
4 Comments:
Huh, those are some good observations. Too bad I don't think it'll resonate too well with most voters.
IMO, it's a minority that feels strongly either way. I don't think the majority wants this wound re-opened.
So the sign of a good campaign ad on TV is that it gets Newspaper coverage? I think TV is still the more popular medium!
Frankly, I would not have wanted that coverage if I were you.
The SSM rabbit had to come out of the hat at some point, Jason. Better now than Harper avoiding the issue (despite the lengthy public record indicating his stance) and having it become the dominant discussion on day 52 of the campaign.
The Liberals' message yesterday was reduced to responding to Harper's SSM remarks, not touting their supposedly strong record on fiscal issues. I call this successful on all fronts.
Jason: It was Paul Martin's opening speech that made it clear he was going to run the slimeiest kind of smear campaign and try to lie his way around his opponent's social policies. His opponent has provided a clear and consistent position on them. Paul Martin Hasn't.
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