“He’s Actually Different & His Government Is Different”

That is a quote from a “lefty” friend of Toronto Star reporter Richard Gwyn, in talking about Stephen Harper.

..She was rather enjoying Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government and yet…She’s no Harper groupie. She most certainly is no conservative. Yet she admitted she could feel a certain tug toward Harper and his government.

…The reason for this tug is what’s really interesting, most especially because an instinct tells me that it’s shared by many more Canadians than has yet been recognized…“He’s different,” she said. “He’s actually different and his government is different.”

Gywn continues the article….

…He’s a true-believing conservative. This doesn’t make him a crazed neo-conservative. But he really does believe in minimal government, although he’s shrewd enough to know he can’t do too much about this until he’s won a majority.

…Harper, as we’ve learned, is also a kick-ass kind of guy. He has an exceptionally high opinion of his opinions, and a low opinion, which he’s not the least inhibited about expressing, about those — including his own backroom aides and cabinet ministers — who ever dare to disagree with him.

…Could it be a rebellion against political correctness? Could it be an exhaustion with throwing money at social problems?

…Could it be, as would be much more positive, that Canadians are now so confident in their identity they no longer feel the need to rely on liberalism to define the cross-border difference?

Another interesting column from the Red Star.

Could it be that they’re sucking up to their new masters?

Maybe this has something to do with it.

PMO Keeps Reporters at Bay

Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, March 28, 2006

…OTTAWA (CP)—Security on Parliament Hill barred reporters from attending a pair of Stephen Harper photo opportunities Monday as the Prime Minister’s Office flexed its media messaging muscles.

…The made-for-TV confrontation between security and reporters outside Harper’s office door graphically illustrated the deteriorating relations between a PMO seeking total message control and news media defending their hard-won access.

…It’s a battle that may be beginning to resonate beyond the cozy precincts of the Peace Tower as the Conservatives threaten to hold secret cabinet meetings and withhold information about visiting heads of state.

The usual suspects, the NDP accuse him of “putting plywood up over all his windows and barring access to the doors… What is Harper afraid of?”

Harper’s office shot back: ““I think this prime minister has been more accessible, gives greater media scrums and provides deeper content than any prime minister has in the last 10 to 12 years…”

Does the average Canadian care?

Not really, according to the PMO – “I don’t think the average Canadian cares as long as they know their government is being well run.”  Touche.

And, to take it further:

Harper Claims Constitutional rights to Keep Cabinet Meetings Secret

…OTTAWA (CP) – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there’s no right for people to know when his cabinet is meeting.

…“Meetings of cabinet are private, this is a constitutional issue,” said the prime minister, who has been limiting media access to ministers.

…“I’m available regularly to answer your questions,” he said. “If there are substantial questions, I am ready to answer them.”

Take that, NDP, take that, MSM.

Gwyn’s friend was right – Stephen Harper is different.  A good kind of different, one that Canadians are embracing more and more each day.

UPDATE:

CBC Chimes in with their 2 Cents:

Harper’s distrust of media not helping him
— Larry Zolf

…But with his total denial of access to the media that backed him in the first place, he isn’t doing himself any favours.

…Harper’s treatment of the media is that of an ingrate. The media made Harper. The media also first made Trudeau and Mulroney. Later, the media made both Trudeau and Mulroney and their parties suffer at the polls.

…A similar fate awaits Harper if he doesn’t change his basic suspicion and hatred of reporters and news commentators.

…Right now, the prime minister urgently needs better media relations if he wants to survive minority status and go on to better things in the future.

Better tone down the rhetoric….after all, it will be Prime Minister Harper’s government deciding on your funding.