NDP launches attack ads on Stephen Harper’s economic record

The NDP has released daring attack ads against Prime Minister Stephen Harper, claiming his Conservative government is responsible for the largest deficits in Canadian history and accusing the Tories of leading the country into another economic downturn.

The ads directly attack what is perceived to be Harper’s strong suit, the economy, a move made famous by Republican strategist Karl Rove. The Harper Conservatives won their first majority government last year by touting their economic management to Canadian voters.

“Stephen Harper says the economy is very fragile, and he’s right,” a woman’s voice says in the English version of the ad. “Because after leading Canada into the worst recession of this generation, Conservatives have another economic downturn on their hands.

“And what’s Stephen Harper solution? Attack the most vulnerable Canadians when they are most in need,” the ad continues, as menacing drums swell in the background.

The ads, one in English and one in French, were uploaded to the NDP’s YouTube page Tuesday afternoon.

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae weighed in on the new NDP ads on Tuesday.

“Attack ads on both sides as NDP and Cons savage each other – they deserve each other, and Canadians deserve better,” he said on Twitter.

Attack ads outside of the electoral season were rare in Canadian politics until the Harper Conservatives began to use them to try and define their opponents.

The NDP move comes after the Conservatives launched their own attack ads against Thomas Mulcair in late June, saying his party has “risky economic theories” and wants to implement “dangerous economic experiments” such as a carbon tax.

The English ad concluded with the tag line: “We can’t afford Mulcair’s NDP.” The French version of the ad was similar but contrasted Mulcair’s carbon tax agenda with Harper’s job creation record.

The Conservatives’ strategy against Mulcair, who has been leader for less than four months, is in stark contrast to their previous attacks on former Liberal leaders Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff.

Both Dion and Ignatieff, respectively, were branded as “not a leader” and “just visiting,” in immediate attacks ads from the Conservatives after taking over the Liberals. Neither were able to effectively counter those ads.

Mulcair has had three months to introduce himself to Canadians, in which polls have shown the NDP gaining a small lead on the ruling Conservatives.

Original Article
Source: national post
Author: Josh Visser