CPC

Bob Tarantino and Martin Street have what i think is excellent advice for the CPC.

My take is that some people might give Harper a chance if they like what he says about certain issues. Maybe enough to make a difference where it matters. That means he has to talk about the issues and what the CPC platform is on them. Again and again. Hectoring the Liberals about Gomery is a ridiculous idea. Sure, you want to avoid talking about healthcare, you may be able to get away with that and let Layton take the lead there, but that doesn't mean you can't talk defence, federalism, taxation, trade, energy policy, regional development, fisheries, native issues, taxation again, tranparency in government and many, many other things.

Let me make this clear, if you hammer the Liberals on Gomery but also think you can refuse to outline a clear and detailed CPC policy for government tranparency, I'll stay home on election day. You see, if you take the bad advice of your strategists that talking policy will hurt you and don't even bother to outline a detailed plan to rectify the one issue you will be focusing on, then you're beyond salvation. But, if you talk about CPC policy in other areas then I just might get excited, put up signs, canvas and try and convice a few fence-sitters i know to vote for you or, at least, not vote Liberal.

A final thought, you need to be focused. Look at the returns from the last few elections and isolate the ridings that are close. Look at the demographics and determine the issues that matter. In my riding your healthcare policy would be a winner if you can get the word out. Spend the majority of your time there, shake hands and talk with no more than a whistle-stop courtesy call in the safe seats out west.