As the battle for Vaughan wears on, the strategies are becoming clearer.
The Conservative campaign is trying to promote their deft handling of the economic downturn. The problem is that doesn't really sell well. The economy is not a good news story yet and the Conservatives record on the economy is not a winner for them - On their watch they brought in the biggest deficit of all time in Canada, $56 Billion, and their management of stimulus spending consists of lots of signs to promote projects that have not even broke ground.
Flaherty, who left a whole in Ontario's budget when he left is seemingly doing the same thing in Ottawa.
Fantino, the poster boy for Law and Order, is easily associated with Harper's new fighter jets and expanded prisons and is less credible on the economy or family issues (unless it's how to keep families safe...through Mega-prisons!). A visit to Fantino's website features his "tough on crime" video! and nary a word about our economic challenges.
The Liberals are taking the fight to the Tories...and Harper specifically - on the economy. Witness Tony Genco's video on his website talking about how he has not encountered any constituents that are interested in talking about fighter jets and mega-prisons while door-knocking. http://tonygenco.liberal.ca/photos-and-video. The latest Liberal literature touts Chretien and Martin's balanced budgets vs. those of Mulroney and Harper...
How did the Tories get themselves into the predicament of being seen as weak fiscal managers?
If the Libs are able to establish credibility on fiscal management and caring about the middle class, Harper could lose this one and Fantino would be back to retirement and "sweeping the garage".
So the battle rages on...
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