…. for a party that had been trying for years to shake a negative catch phrase pinned to it by political opponants and the media … and say I had a summer of pre-election campaigning to fill, do you know what I’d do?
I’d call a news conference, and with the cameras rolling and the microphones recording, I’d announce the launch of the “Hidden Agenda Tour”.
Then, I’d take it nationwide, to – In the immortal words of Mark McKinnon – Love it to death.
I recently heard an amazing rumour about Stephen Harper’s “hidden agenda”. I’m told it involves Paul Martin, a ten gallon pail of petroleum jelly, a riding crop, and fuzzy handcuffs.
No wonder Harper keeps it hidden.
I think Alice Cooper beat him to that line.
And if they were REALLY smart, God willing, Harper’s helpers would make sure the party’s suicide bombers are kept out of sight until the election’s over.
Yeah, they could do something like, “Our Hidden Agenda: Expose corruption, weed out waste, make government more responsive to Canadians, etc.”
Guess we now know what Cadman’s price was for his vote: From today’s NP
“Cadman wins commitment on victims-rights concerns
VANCOUVER – Justice Minister Irwin Cotler told independent MP Chuck Cadman he will move forward with victims’-rights initiatives moments after the victims’-rights advocate saved the minority Liberal government from defeat last week.”
Liberals Switching to the Conservatives:
Ben has switched too. � 1 day ago
Just like me, Ben and Brian have switched to the CPC from the Liberals.
You can check out their stories, as well as a growing list of great reasons to switch, and some light hearted reality about that scary Stephen and his policies in the new SWITCH section (it�s in the navigation list on the left).
http://www.harperliberals.ca/stories
I think you are too late.
Belinda must have the seen the secret agenda and will be starting her own “Secret Agenda” Ambition tour!
CanRev…you’re so busy looking for burglars under the bed. Did you forget that Cadman refused to meet with the Liberals before the vote? This is not a pay-off — how would it benefit him? (Hint: when the Liberals appoint him as their new leader — and he accepts — then cry foul, okay? But it ain’t gonna happen soon.)
Another good piece from today’s Toronto Sun, this time, an editorial outlining the true cost of Gomery. The judge is pissed that the Librano$ have inflated the cost of the inquiry so people will start discrediting the need, etc. It appears Justice Gomery is not going to allow himself to be manipulated. I am mightily encouraged by this, because it tells me that no matter what the Libs try, Justice Gomery will get the job done. Now, whether his findings are filtered by the Stick Chick, who is responsible for the release and implementation of the report, is to be seen. I think it’s more important than ever that we find a way to get an election before the release; otherwise, we’ll never know the truth if we’re dependent on the MSM. Mind you, I can’t see the Sun rolling over – ever.
By CAMPBELL CLARK
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Updated at 3:48 AM EDT
From Tuesday’s Globe and Mail
Ottawa � The government’s liability for mismanaging the money of mentally incapacitated war veterans has ballooned to as high as $5.8-billion, lawyers for the veterans will argue in a hearing on damages in Ontario Superior Court starting today.
Librano$ sued by Vets.
Stephen Harper and the Conservative caucus must visit every Legion post/hall in Canada.
May 24, 2005
They’d rather switch and fight
May 24 – Their numbers are growing: Harper liberals
(Thanks, maz2.)
Oh, and bonus points for those who get the reference in the post title.)
Being American In T.O.
Switch — and — fight.
Illegitimus non carborundum est.(sic).
Outwest, if you’re not being fascetious, actually, Cadman met with Martin et al before the vote for “coffee”, so that Martin could explain why his government should continue. There are no coincidences with the Librano$.
And the news about Cotler revisiting the four private members bill was kicking around Thursday night. I guess it just grew some legs over the w/e.
The filibuster compromise in the US yesterday has some interesting political ramifications. A lot of people are going to be systematically discriminated against – people who are among the brightest, most creative people in the US.
Canadian policy should absolutely be to legalize gay marriage. And then we should advertise in the US, we should target gays and other creative types � people who are going to feel very unwelcome in the country the US is becoming. They�re people who would bring a great deal to Canada. People whom we should make welcome here and go out of our way to bring here. A Canadian home for American gays; it will only improve everyone’s quality of life.
Anon:
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Stop….hehehehehehehehe
Stop it….
KAte,
Right idea. Turn your opponents barbs into a joke…usually done by embracing through humour….yes it is the best way to disarm them.
I think it’s a great idea, Kate. Show the CPC has a sense of humour and defuse the biggest electoral scam the Liberals have to work with. And believe me, they’ll try it out again if they think it will work.
(liked the Limbaugh reference, too)
“…people who are among the brightest, most creative people in the US.”
Isn’t that just a little stereotypical, Anon?
Besides, why on earth would anybody want to come into this bloody country so that they can be discriminated against in other ways: regionally, financially, politically, in matters of health care and education, language, etc…
How much of a bounce do you think the CPC would get if a show like “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” decided to leave them alone and just focus on the NDP and Liberal’s misbehaviours?
I stopped watching that show when I started realizing that 3/4 of their jokes were at the Conservative’s expense while only about 1/4 were attacking the Libs and NDP.
You know – this wasn’t a joke. I was dead serious. Take their number one talking point away from them, make it your own, add a touch of good-natured humour to take the “scariness” away, and they’ll have to stop using it.
I wasn’t treating it like a joke, Kate.
I’ve been an advisor in many municipal and provincial political campaigns in the past and I think it’s a great idea.
Classic martial arts: use your opponents strength against him.
Harper could also start pounding out the Liberal hidden agenda.
Martin is nothing but a puppet for M. Strong and the Demarais/Power Corp family, doing their bidding to control the minds and wallets of the Canadian people.
I wonder what it cost Daddy Stronach to get Belinda her cabinet post.
Anon,
“And then we should advertise in the US, we should target gays and other creative types…”
I happen to know three gays or lesbians who I count as good friends. None of them are what I would call creative. I also know about a dozen artists very well. None of them are gays or lesbians. Keep your stereotyping to yourself please. Jesus!!!
“Guess we now know what Cadman’s price was for his vote…”
That’s not enough for the Caramilk secret, as the old TV commercial said. Cotler’s announcement was simply the down payment. Look for evidence of a bigger payoff in the days to come when the public’s attention is elsewhere.
Loving Scary to Death
Here’s a list that needs to be fine tuned and others added. But not too many.
To paraphrase Senator James McRory’s views on building a successful religious organization.
“Things have to be reduced to what the largest mass of people can be expected to understand and accept.”
Mr. Stephen Harper:
“1. They funnel millions of your tax dollars to Liberal friendly firms for no work. And they call me scary!
2.. These Liberal friendly firms then donate a percentage of this money for nothing, back to the Liberal party. And they call me scary!
3. X number of lawyers donate their time work for the Liberal campaign and within a year X number of these same lawyers are appointed by the PM to be judges. And they call me scary!
4.They promised, they really, really promised to end the GST. And they call me scary!
5. They cancelled a contract to replace the Armed Forces dangerously decrepit helicopters. I can’t say if that is scary but have you ever heard of one of them taking a ride in one?”
Other suggestions?
Maybe we could learn a little something from our cousins to the south…
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security”
The Declaration of Independance…
Kate,
I think we are all in violent agreement on your idea.
Who has Geoff Norquay’s blackberry?
I could not agree more. The ONLY way to defeat the fear-mongering is to laugh at it to show how ridiculous it is. I’ve been saying this for a while. The next time Harper speaks he should show up late and then apologize to the reporters saying that he was held up looking for the agenda he seems to have hidden in the wrong place.
We HAVE to use new tactics. The old ones aren’t working. The next time a Conservative MP is on CBC with Newman and Newman presents a critique, smile and say ‘Well, we all know who you vote for.’ Throw curves they don’t expect. That is the ONLY way to win.
Speak the truth. If you really believe the media is biased then don’t treat them as though they are neutral. We can’t beat them on their turf. Change the status quo. It’s the only hope.
OK you creative types . . . let’s write the CPC Top Ten Scary List . . a la Letterman style . .
#10 . . . we are so scary that we think that Paul Martin should be allowed to continue to use Private Health Care
# 9 . . .
Right on, Kate – the Hidden Agenda Tour 2005! If you are a listener of Sean Hannity’s radio show, you’ll recognize that this gambit has already been used. In response to a hissy-fit hysterical slander by PBS’ ultra-liberal Bill Moyers late last year, he now calls his schedule of live broadcasts from around the country his “Travelling Freakshow of Political Pornography Tour”. Conservatives in the USA have a great sense of humour!
“Cousins to the south”? Sounds like we’re becoming more distantly related.
#9 The CPC has pictures of Paul Martin in his underwear, and is threatening to make us look at them.
NEWS Tue, May 24, 2005
Report ready to rock Adscam
STEPHANIE RUBEC, SUN OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA — They’ve tracked down Saddam Hussein’s money and were tasked to clean up the Enron scandal – now they’re ready to blow the lid off Adscam.
Internationally renowned forensic accounting firm Kroll Lindquist Avey is expected to shake the foundations of Justice John Gomery’s inquiry today with a detailed report on whether pockets were lined in the sponsorship scandal.
The Kroll report is expected to follow the money trail from federal coffers to the Liberal-friendly ad firms and possibly into the wallets of Grit organizers.
The findings are expected to make more waves than any other testimony before Gomery and have been kept under such tight wraps that not even a kernel of information has leaked out.
Kroll et al unwound the Enron piracy.
Let’s rock and roll.
“we should target gays and other creative types”
Ah yes, Paul Martin’s Canada:
Liars, Queers, and Thieves.
I think that there’s an old Cher song that could be expropriated as our new national anthem.
I don’t think turning the “hidden agenda” against the Libs would be as effective as simply ridiculing it. If they try “Liberals Hidden Agenda”, they’ll be accused of parroting by the media. Easier to simply laugh at it by using Kate’s suggestion, then dismiss it and don’t keep “harp”ing on it… if they call the tour the “Hidden Agenda” tour, then the Liberals can’t talk about it, so the CPC shouln’t either…
The point I’m making is that they use the title to promote their policy platform.
Put it in big splashy letters down the sides of the bus.
Another talking point put forward by the Libranos and spread by MSM is:
Mr. Harper’s “Lust for Power”
I see this phrase used over and over in letters to the editor and website feedback.
This is an absolute projection of the Librano creed onto the opposition.
We need some sarcasm and ridicule for that one.
Suggestions?
Tying them all together…
“The Angry Man’s Lust for Power Tour:
Exposing Our Hidden Agenda to Central Canada”
In order to show Canadians that the New Conservatives can act just like the Liberals Mr. Harper needs to tell us that he is going to steal the best ideas of Mr. Martin’s party. Our hidden agenda will become what was the Liberal’s hidden agenda.(Now exposed) From that point onwards Mr. Harper needs to expose the Liberals hidden agenda item by item since 1993. That agenda includes all the scandals exposed and indicated. Then he needs to ask the Canadian voters if they wish the tories to do what the Liberals have done then make up a phoney poll done by a Tory freindly polling agency ( stateing that it is phoney) telling us that it is accurate 19 times out of 20.He needs to state, You elected the Liberals with their “hidden agenda of corruption” why won’t you vote for us with the same agenda? He needs to say that if polls are against us becomeing like the Liberals he will sign a document that he will not implement the Liberal’s hidden agenda.
Coming soon to an election near you, a Librano/MSM co-Production.
Stephen Harper’s hidden agenda and lust for power is scaring people all across vote rich Ontario. Atlantic Canada trembles. The forces of darkness in Quebec celebrate that, Canada will be broken once and for all.
Conservative Youth Site:
http://www.cpcenergy.ca
TheCPC says they have the youngest (hippest?) caucus in Canadian parliament history.
[bows deeply]
exquisite! can I steal the idea?
“Lust for Power Tour…”
I’m sorry, but that one’s property of B-B-Belinda. You’ll have to use something else.
The “Hidden Agenda Tour” is a great idea. Not only would it put the MSM on the spot when they cover said tour by taking away their sneaky innuendos, it would hobble the Liberal’s promotion machine; their fear-mongering hand-crank would come right off in their hands in plain sight. And any Liberal who would hint at a hidden agenda would turn into an living anachronism while simultaneously inadvertantly stumping for the Conservatives.
This one is magic, Kate. Brilliant media strategy. And it’s disarming, and funny. I don’t want to get too purple here but you have come up with a really, really great and practical idea. The very best thing about it is how fulsomely it everts the Liberal/MSM message.
I really hope someone in the CPC is listening. This is the best idea in years. Anyone out there connected enough to float the idea to the right people?
Release the hounds!
The “hidden agenda tour” will be replacing a Liberal MP near you soon. 🙂
Oh I’m sure SOME libranos would try to talk about the really hidden agenda, or the hidden, hidden agenda that those far too sneaky sneaks in the CPC are trying to keep from you. But basically I think this is a great idea in general, we’ll have to tell the strategists in the CPC about it.
D//
It’s beautiful and it also winks at those south park conservatives that have had it up to here with the endless politically correct dogma.
It attracts open minded people sneering at PC thinking and their unspoken inuendo.
Isn’t that what every single stand up comedian is doing now
Who wouldn’t be drawn to that?