One Week On

Story of the Week: Michael Ignatieff

Although this is Stephen Harper’s fourth federal election as his party’s leader, he has yet to reveal himself as a relaxed and natural campaigner. He is prone to tactical missteps and can be surprisingly tone-deaf – remember his comment in 2008 that the massive collapse of the stock market might offer an opportunity to buy low for middle class families. So far this week he has seen his coalition fear-mongering boomerang back with evidence of his own attempts to form a coalition to topple Paul Martin way back when; he has retreated awkwardly from his call to debate Ignatieff mano a mano, and, apparently, he has restricted himself to answering only five questions a day from the press on his campaign bus. They’ll be better weeks ahead, but he can’t be happy about this one.

Ignatieff, on the other hand, is a rookie. This is his first go-round as party leader. And, if the truth be told, he has not exactly stormed the barns as a leader prior to the dropping of the writ. There was a lot of hemming and hawing, big words, clumsy attempts to connect with the common folk and some pitchy tough talk here and there. He never seemed to find his comfort level. But this week he has revealed a news side – competent campaigner. Above all else, he has made no gaffes. That’s got to be the first rule of campaigning. But, more impressively, he hit the ground running with a flood of ads, made some clean and voter friendly promises around education, pensions and childcare, And most impressively he handled the whole two-man debate issue like a pro, kept in in the media, backed Harper down and, witness the letter he sent to Harper today, is even having a little fun with it.

Can the Count keep this up? Elections are tricky and kinetic. Next week is a brand new battleground. And the whole Liberal platform is being unveiled this week-end. But, regardless of what will come, he can chalk up the first week as a good one.- BC