Spoke too soon?

It looks like we may have to forget  about the idea of a one-on-one debate between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff.

 

Though Ignatieff is gamely tweeting this morning a renewed challenge,

The consortium debates are set. How about that one-on-one, Mr. Harper?

 

 

we are also hearing this from CTV's Robert Fife, aboard Stephen Harper's plane.

  Tory campaign insiders say Harper won't take up Ignatieff challenge of separate one on one TV debate. #elxn41 #cdnpoli

 

 *****Update: The Prime Minister, in an early scrum in Newfoundland, said he's not interested in multiple debates and blames Ignatieff for bowing out of the one-on-one challenge.

There's been some speculation this morning that the Prime Minister wasn't even serious when he mused aloud yesterday about the one-on-one. The CBC's Kady  O'Malley and Macleans' writer (and former Liberal PMO speechwriter) Scott Feschuk have been having a hilarious conversation on Twitter, actually, which includes the speculation that Harper is increasingly acting "like a man locked out of his office."

The Liberals are circulating a YouTube video this morning, in a bid to show that Harper is off his game. I'm not sure that's what it shows -- more like a seasoned politician who knows how the drill works (and when it doesn't). But here's the video, and you can judge for yourself.

 

Comments

[John J]

It's becoming increasingly apparent the Mr. Harper has never played a team sport.....or if he has, it must have been a frustrating experience for him. Team sports are a quick lesson in working cooperatively to a "positive" common goal. Teams that are ultimately successful are those that have found the ability to utilize all the talents brought by the many participants. There is no need to fear a "Harper" majority government.......Mr. Harper is not capable of ensuring enough Canadian "team players" that a vote for the "Harper Government" (formerly the Government of Canada) is a winning formula. http://harpergovernmentelection.blogspot.com/

[Cathy Payne]

When I heard Harper say we should "also have" a one on one debate the words implied an extra event. By today it was all a Liberal plot to victimize him into having to debate anything.
Flipping from hero to victim repeatedly is wearing thin for some voters. I think Harper has internalized that "you're with us or against us" into his personal being. The approach doesn't seem "steady" or "stable" either.

[judi]

In the video clip, he looks crabby and peevish-not a stretch from his reactions to the Q@A sessions with reporters over the last few weeks.

[judi]

Mr Harper is fond of the blame game so it appears that Mr Igantieff is guilty of nearly evreything except global warming! If he continues with his sneering and contempt for the rest of the campaign, minority government weary Canadians may not hold their noses and give him the mandate he so deperately wants.