Globe and Mail: What if Stephen Harper’s previous views were used against him?

[tuvor]

The other night, during a hockey game, appeared several of those Conservative attack ads against Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

The ads dredged up a quote from 2001, when Mr. Ignatieff was living outside Canada, about feeling American, and another quote about not ruling out an increase in the GST, and one favouring a carbon tax. Mr. Ignatieff has clearly and repeatedly repudiated these positions, yet the Conservative attack ads suggest he still holds them. Not only do these ads deliberately deform Mr. Ignatieff’s current thinking, they impugn his motives for returning to Canada. He is held responsible in these ads for views he no longer holds.

Put the shoe on the other foot. If you were a Conservative, would you think it fair or accurate to be hammered today for some of Stephen Harper’s previous positions?

In 1999, a right-wing doctor, David Gratzer, wrote a book, Code Blue, that tore apart medicare, suggesting it should be replaced by U.S.-style private medicine and medical savings accounts. Dr. Gratzer now advises Republicans on health care.

...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/jeffrey-simpson/what-if-stephen-harpers-previous-views-were-used-against-him/article1930774/

[shockedcanadian]

1. I disagree with the premise of using former ideology/comments/opinions...

Who hasn't said, done, implied, thought or believed ideas and/or views that they no longer have? Harper should be judged by his actions and what he does and says in office today, not what he did or said years ago. I have read a number of things he said and did over a decade ago; if I want perfection I will look to God, not far from infallable politicians. The same can be said for all of the parties, of course, everyone knows that politicians sugar coat their responses and position on issues, I am not convinced that drudging up something that happened many years ago and out of context will sway many voters.

I would like to see more live debates during election campaigns and have leaders answer poignant questions. I personally don't pay attention to the ad campaigns as I don't like to make my decision on the strength of a party based on their marketing campaign, I try to judge them on their substance. If they drag in comments made many years ago, I find it an exercize in bottom feeding...

[glarius]

2. There is a lot of ammunition that Ignatieff could use against Harper.

For instance when he went on Fox news and told them that most Canadians were in favour of the Iraq war...http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1049464033397_20?s_name=&no_ads=
Harper also went before right-wing American groups and called Canada a "failed socialist state" (words to that effect), and made fun of Canada, before he was Prime Minister. Surely Ignatieff could get copies of these incidents and make the same kind of ads against Harper.