Harper: Missing Vital Signs

For some Canadians, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s address to the party faithful attending the Conservative Party convention last weekend is more about what he did not say versus what he did say. Although some of the controversial policies adopted by the membership may never be implemented, it does speak to the interest in moving more to the right from middle-of-the-road policies.

Beyond the walls of the convention hall however, many Canadians were hoping Harper would provide some acceptable explanation of the PMO’s role in the ever-present senate scandal. Even though Canadians were not expecting an admission of guilt, they were hoping for some sort of communication that the entire sordid affair could have been handled better and that he would learn from any mistakes made. Harper was defiant and unapologetic and for that disappointed, perhaps lost, some future voters.

Every politician must come to grips with their own ‘best-before’ date. Some opt to take the exit door on their own terms and others wait to be booted out. The longer term success of the Conservatives will be with a leadership renewal. Ottawa Citizen columnist Andrew Cohen provides a very enlightening perspective between conservative leaders Stephen Harper and Joe Clark at this link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/Andrew+Coyne+What+Clark+tells+about+Stephen+Haper/9123018/story.html    

While Harper may feel he has his finger on the pulse, he seems to be missing some other vital signs.