Why the hell is tackling crime suddenly national priority #1?

[Lucy Goosey]

Seriously, I'm asking. Harper is listing it as his reason for appointing the new senators. http://www.nationalpost.com/scripts/story.html?id=2499063

I know it's about throwing red meat to the base, but even the conservatives (and Conservatives) I know don't really think this is all that important - everyone seems to think the economy is the biggest issue right now. (Is it because most of the people I know are middle class Ottawa residents who haven't been victims of crime? Are we really just out of touch with the rest of the country on this?)

I guess it's a distraction, really, meant to get a certain segment of the population foaming at the mouth about crime, but it doesn't even seem like a good distraction. I swear, he'd get more leverage if he were talking about jobs, or even slashing government spending, or whatever, than tackling crime. (Not that I agree with him about slashing government spending, but his base would.)

Enlighten me - what am I missing? Or is my problem that I am looking for logic, cohesion, and good politics (if not good governance) where there is none to be found?

[HeresyLives]

1. Oh has it changed again?

Yesterday it was safe childbirth, previously it was the economy, or the olympics, or Haiti or the deficit. I can't keep up anymore.

And they called MARTIN Mr Dithers!

[Posteritatis]

2. When the conservatives start talking about crime, it means they anticipate an election. (nt)