About TDH

Archived
Commentaries

Past Projects

FAQ

Links

Contact

March 4, 2004

Even before these ads began to air publicly, there was a huge backlash against the subject matter.  Now, it is near impossible to find any candidate that is willing to come out in support of this strategy.

First, they are outright offensive to Canadians of Caribbean ancestry, as not everyone from the West Indies has a Jamaican accent. 

Secondly, they are hugely damaging to the most high profile of the three candidates running to become leader, as offshore tax havens have been linked to Belinda Stronach's father (although using one's family as an attack on an individual running for public office or an elected position is suspect at best).

Lastly, the Conservative Party has to put out ads that show ideas, leadership and change.  By focussing on Paul Martin with all of the content, the strategy a) demonstrates that the new party is still mired in the same type of negative campaigning that Canadians generally do not appreciate b) does not give the Canadian public any idea of what the party stands for and c) attacks the last vestige of Liberal polling strength on the verge of the election call, considering that Paul Martin currently stands heads and shoulders above his own party in terms of appeal.

Mr. Martin and the NDP respectively are doing more than enough to remind the Canadian public of the ills of corporate cronyism and tax evasion.  It is now time for the Conservative Party to step up to the plate and lead the debate into other realms of public policy and governance. 

The definition of the agenda is always that much stronger if you pull it from your own dictionary rather than someone else's. 

Comments? jonathan@tdhstrategies.com