Revolutionary Moderation

Two outta three ain't great



(cross-posted to the BlogsCanada election blog)



Kinsella notes that the Alliance Conservatives have already rebutted the three attack-ad accusations I mention here. Two of them are exactly as I predicted - mention Pettigrew in relation to health, and mention the caucus to establish the new party's multicultural bona fides.



But the Iraq reaction is weaker:

Stephen Harper believes Canada should have morally supported our allies and to our troops who the Liberals sent to the Iraq region. He wishes our allies success in helping to stabilize, democratize, and rebuild Iraq.



If Mr. Martin disagrees with the Conservative position, he should clearly state his position - because Canadians are caught between his doublespeak.

It's fair enough to suggest that Martin might have cozied up to the US had he been PM last year, and I think this hints in that direction without coming out and saying so. But Martin isn't the only one who is engaging in doublespeak, here... Harper was clear leading up to the war. Canada should participate. I disagreed, as strongly as possible, but it was the clear position of the Alliance under Harper. I think that position will hurt Harper in the election, but I think being caught equivocating will hurt a lot more.

"Mr. Speaker, the issue of war requires moral leadership. We believe the government should stand by our troops, our friends and our allies and do everything necessary to support them right through to victory." House of Commons, April 1, 2003. [Italics mine. There's so much more where this came from, right here.]

Harper has three reasonable choices right now. He can say "I was wrong, and I'm glad we didn't get involved in that quagmire. If I'm elected, I will not send young Canadians into it now." He can say "WMD or not, our allies brought a despotic ruler to his knees, and for that, they should be congratulated. But there's no point in getting Canadian troops involved now, and I will not do so if elected." He can even say "Forget, for a moment, our traditional allies. It's the Iraqi people who deserve whatever help we can bring them. Canada may not have had a part in deposing the dictator, but we should certainly have a part in helping the Iraqi people put their lives and their country back together. But given the situation right now, that requires troops as well as aid workers."



What he can't say is "Canada should have morally supported our allies...", because that's just begging for someone --- a Liberal someone --- to cry "bullshit." And then Canadians get to ask the begged question: if he's lying to us now about words in the public record, what else will he lie about if we let him move into 24 Sussex?