The Shotgun Blog
« Conservative convention: Will Paul Brandt inspire the remnant? | Main | The saga of the Ron Paul third party bid that never was »
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Conservative convention: Limiting media access is smart politics; hiding from a limited government agenda is not
Yesterday, I predicted today’s headlines would read “Conservatives shut out media.”
Today, the Globe and Mail is making me look clever with a headline that reads “Tories shut media out of convention workshops.” Close enough.
Steven Chase with the Globe and Mail wrote:
The Conservative Party has dropped a cone of silence on potentially divisive debates at its convention in Winnipeg today, barring journalists from workshops where Tory party members are discussing proposals to change the policies that define them.
While this move might trouble grassroots Conservatives and populist-types, I think it is another sign of increasing professionalism and maturity from the party. They’re managing their message by scripting MPs and limiting access to convention delegates who reliably provide fodder to a hostile media looking for evidence of radicalism. It’s good politics.
That being written, Harper’s stated opposition to “ideology” – as if a comprehensive world-view based on fundamental economic and social principles is a bad thing – and his shift to the left doesn’t need to be part of the party’s newfound brand consciousness. Harper is a powerful communicator and brilliant strategist. He should trust his ability to effectively communicate and execute a limited government agenda – and trust in the common sense of Canadians to receive this message.
Posted by Matthew Johnston on November 15, 2008 in Canadian Conservative Politics | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b5d69e2010535f1692c970b
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Conservative convention: Limiting media access is smart politics; hiding from a limited government agenda is not:
Comments
... and Conservatives wonder why people so often accuse them of having a hidden agenda. This is quite *LITERALLY* a hidden agenda. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that....
Posted by: Fact Check | 2008-11-15 2:18:47 PM
This cone of silence will do little to make Canadians feel more comfortable about the Conservative Party -- very bad move.
Posted by: Werner Patels | 2008-11-15 2:53:02 PM
Maybe we could just seal them inside and start something new?
Posted by: JC | 2008-11-15 4:55:35 PM
In-house debates should remain just that. It is too easy for media (especially hostile media) to focus on un-guarded remarks and make the party sound really stupid. Far better to hash things out and present a united front to the public. With regard to something like the abortion debate it is much better to not make it a matter of confidence and to encourage all members of parliament to vote their own consciences. That way the voting public could be encouraged to prevail on individual MP's to make the "right" decision. The public could then identify members of other parties who voted for or against the motion. That would give them one more reason to vote for or against a particular candidate.
Posted by: DML | 2008-11-15 5:10:52 PM
Experience has taught the Conservatives.
Muzzling his candidates did not harm Harper as evidenced in their winning more seats.
Never heard a thing about how old some conservatives thought the Earth may be.
Never heard a disparaging word about homosexuals.
Not a peep on abortion to keep the notion a non-issue.
The press may not have liked it, but the bottom line is Canadians were not distracted from the Harper message by the musings of red necks.
When Stockwell Day was leading the parade, all the press did was publish the musings of those not smart enough to keep their non-election issues to themselves.
Posted by: Chris Buors | 2008-11-16 9:46:18 AM
Good comment, Chris. I agree.
Posted by: Matthew Johnston | 2008-11-16 10:28:15 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.