Do you have a friend who always wants to be at the centre of attention? And what do they do when you stop giving them your attention? Maybe this is something that Canadian journalists should think about as Stephen Harper expects them to disseminate his message while controlling their questions at news conferences. Maybe its time that the media cut off Stephen Harper until he decides to give them reasonable access. (more…)
The Liberals and NDP released some new tv spots yesterday and it looks like they are finally getting smart with their ads this election. The Conservatives have kept on message and appear to be using the same ad strategy they’ve been using throughout 2010-11.
While Michael Ignatieff has historically had bad luck appearing strong in the media, this new ad is literally a breath of fresh air (I wonder how many takes it took to get it right). The question is: can it re-frame his place in this election and wedge Harper’s ‘steady as she goes’ strategy that he’s been pushing for over a year.
Here is a break down of the parties ad strategies so far: (more…)
The Liberals announced a ‘Learning Passport’ which will give post-secondary students $1000-$1500/year for up to four years in the form of an RESP. The plan is most definitely a flashy announcement designed to keep (and hopefully increase) the turnout of the student and parent vote without actually committing any real money to post-secondary education.
But it gets better: The Liberals have managed to make $1000 not equal $1000. While they will be issuing these RESP’s every year that students attend their post-secondary institutions, various tax break claw-backs and other considerations which hurt students will also take effect. But good luck fitting all that into a thirty-second sound bite – simply saying $1000 a year for students is easier and it sounds better.
Under closer examination this is how students will be hurt by Ignatieff’s $1000 a year gift and this is why families will fall for it: (more…)
During Election 2008 the Rick Mercer Report aired a spoof ad called “Politics Is Not For Grownups” and it featured children playing as stand-ins for the federal party leaders.
Looking back RMR couldn’t have got it more right. Replace Dion with Ignatieff and it could slightly pass in this election.
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Just how strapped for cash are the Ignatieff Liberals? The party is offering a 48 hour window to get your hands on a pair of stick-on Michael Ignatieff eyebrows. (more…)
