Over the last few days, Paul Martin has tried to paint Conservative Leader Stephen Harper as "scary" by comparing him to former Conservative Ontario Premier Mike Harris. (It took Martin just three paragraphs into his speech this morning to link Harper and Harris.) The NDP War Room turns the spin right back at the Liberals with a terrific "Rapid Response" memo that was sent out to reporters today. In it, the NDP finds several Liberals who spoke approvingly of Mike Harris and his policies. And they even dredge up a Mike Harris comment about the Liberals when Paul Martin was finance minister. I reproduce the NDP Rapid Response below but you should also be able to find this on the NDP Web site.
Be Afraid of Mike Harris Liberals
Paul Martin just said in Whitby Canadians should be scared of politicians with close links to former Conservative Premier Mike Harris.
Okay.
How about "scary" Belinda Stronach – Mike Harris’ choice for Prime Minister?
"[A] person with vision, a person with experience, a person with courage, a person who has the ideas, and a person who has the conviction that can help Canada recover to be the number one country in the world." – Mike Harris nominating Belinda Stronach for CPC Leader, Toronto Sun, January 29, 2004
"I believe Harris made the most significant mark on Ontario and I did go to him seeking advice." – Belinda Stronach, Toronto Star, January 25, 2004
How about "scary" Scott Brison Liberal candidate for Kings-Hants?
"Tax reduction and significant tax cuts resonate significantly with Canadians as do messages from governments that keep their word. Mike Harris and Ralph Klein have remained consistent in keeping their word and providing meaningful tax relief to Canadians." – Scott Brison, House of Commons, June 10, 1999
How about "scary" Keith Martin Liberal candidate for Esquimalt–Juan de Fuca?
"Premier Klein and Premier Harris are trying to fix the publicly funded health care system. This [Liberal] government has been gutting it." – Keith Martin, November 19. 1999
How about "scary" Gary Carr Liberal candidate for Halton?
Oakville South MPP Gary Carr says that when he talks about Progressive Conservative Leader Mike Harris' "common sense revolution" he's not just mouthing the party line. – Toronto Star, May 23, 1995
Of course, the only person Mike Harris was scared of was "scary" Paul Martin:
"The only thing that I would say is obscene when it comes to health care is the Liberal Party of Canada, through Paul Martin, slashing health care spending by over $2 billion to the province of Ontario." – Mike Harris, Legislative Assembly, December 4, 1996