# The "Longest Election Campaign in Modern Canada" Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 2, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807 "2015-08-02T15:45:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/121 "2015-08-31T23:40:54Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > I expect that what he was hoping to get was the saving of his beloved party from a deepening scandal. In his mind, a shining knight on a white horse through a good deed of cash personally saving the Conservatives from a scandalous fate worse than death, which in turn in his mind would be doing a very good thing for the country which in his mind is in such dire need of Conservative rule. So you’re saying that a Conservative politician spent $90 K for the warm fuzzies? Not buying it. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/122 "2015-08-31T23:53:11Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > So you’re saying that a Conservative politician spent $90 K for the warm fuzzies? Not buying it. He’s not a politician. He’s a loyal party member, having been involved with the PCs and Reform since university and gave up shitloads of dough to be Harper’s chief of staff. Seriously, he apparently gave up a 7 figure salary for the job. I’m not sure you realize how little 90 grand is to him. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/123 "2015-08-31T23:53:34Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > So you’re saying that a Conservative politician spent $90 K for the warm fuzzies? Not buying it. Not warm fuzzies. Think of it as a wealthy political fanatic buying an election (or more correctly, using an easily affordable 90k to try to cover up a nasty scandal that would seriously hurt the party come the pending election that would have to have been held by the spring of 2016), and using self-justified reasoning to morally explain it to himself. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/124 "2015-08-31T23:56:02Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > He’s not a politician. He’s a loyal party member, having been involved with the PCs and Reform since university and gave up shitloads of dough to be Harper’s chief of staff. Seriously, he apparently gave up a 7 figure salary for the job. I’m not sure you realize how little 90 grand is to him. I stand corrected re: politician vs. party member. Anyway, if 90 grand is such a paltry sum to him, do you think he’d send me $5,000 if I wrote and asked nicely? I could use it, and it wouldn’t cause him or his party any difficulty. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/125 "2015-09-01T00:03:45Z")
If you could secure a win for his party . . . ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/126 "2015-09-01T03:43:50Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Not only does Harper limit the questions - but the only people allowed to ask questions are those press who \*pay their campaign for the privilege of following Mr. Harper about. \*[To the tune of $78,000.](http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/if-we-want-to-ask-stephen-harper-questions-we-have-to-give-his-party-78000) That’s what it costs a news organization to ask one question of Mr. Harper per day. Wow. That’s awesome. Is that legal? Dude, I’ll run for PM and only charge you, like $60 a day instead of $3000. And you can ask questions more than once a day. Win-win! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/127 "2015-09-01T04:03:41Z")
It is ethical in Canada provided the journalist publicly discloses it. [Canadian Association of Journalists](http://www.caj.ca/ethics-guidelines/): “We openly tell our audiences when another organization pays our expenses, or conversely, when we have made payments for information.” For shits and giggles, the paid-up journalists should wait for a big Harper press conference, and then simply not report on it, and instead report on the journalists who are not allowed to ask questions because they have not paid the Harpers. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/128 "2015-09-01T04:28:44Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I stand corrected re: politician vs. party member. He _is_ a politician or he wouldn’t have had that job, just as any high-ranker in big business is a politician. Everything is politics to make it into and stay in the rarefied heights. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/129 "2015-09-01T05:09:23Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Nah. Rich people don’t donate for the tax right off. Yes he would expect the cash to be appreciated but he wouldn’t require some specific quid pro quo. Just like a party donation he probably just expected favours or info when he needed it. Getting specific promises for cash is just riskier. Better to just say you’re helping out the team and expect the team to help you out when you need it. You mean like when Vito Corleone granted a favour to Amerigo Bonasera, and waited until an appropriate time make sure he returned the favour? Except Harper isn’t as honourable as the Godfather. He let Wright do a solid but instead of helping him out turned his back on him when it got too hot. Politics is dirtier than the mob. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/130 "2015-09-01T05:22:36Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > It is ethical in Canada provided the journalist publicly discloses it. [Canadian Association of Journalists](http://www.caj.ca/ethics-guidelines/): “We openly tell our audiences when another organization pays our expenses, or conversely, when we have made payments for information.” > > For shits and giggles, the paid-up journalists should wait for a big Harper press conference, and then simply not report on it, and instead report on the journalists who are not allowed to ask questions because they have not paid the Harpers. Love it. Now the Harper government shakes down the media. Nothing says let’s talk about the nation’s interests like $78,000 a reporter. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/131 "2015-09-01T13:19:14Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > You mean like when Vito Corleone granted a favour to Amerigo Bonasera, and waited until an appropriate time make sure he returned the favour? Except Harper isn’t as honourable as the Godfather. He let Wright do a solid but instead of helping him out turned his back on him when it got too hot. Politics is dirtier than the mob. Except that Wright has deeper pockets, more extensive business and party alliances, and holds a generally higher level of respect than Harper. He does not need Harper to help him out and Wright wouldn’t want him to if it was going to endanger Conservative rule. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/132 "2015-09-01T16:07:41Z")
Nanos Research was the last polling company to reliably put the conservatives in the lead in a tight 3 - way race. The past 5 Tuesdays. Every other poll has shown the NDP in the lead. Today’s Nanos poll shows the conservatives in third place. But not to worry. Conservative strategy remains to ban their candidates from talking to the press or participating in debates or town forums. They are going to go door-to-door where they can lie to voters without the embarrassment of being called out on the lies. Also, they are cracking down on any public servants who disagree with Dear Leader Harper. They were already required to sign a loyalty oath to “The Harper Government”. Now they are not allowed to sing songs that put Dear Leader in a negative light. The new Ministry of Folk Song Permissions will look after that. (They’re right next door to the Ministry of Suitable Hats and Head Coverings) ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/133 "2015-09-01T20:53:04Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > He does not need Harper to help him out and Wright wouldn’t want him to if it was going to endanger Conservative rule. This Duffy saga is so byzantine and nonsensical that I am starting to wonder if Wright has some secret hatred for Harper and shit the bed on purpose. Like I said before, if we left it at Duffy has to repay his expenses and will get to it when he gets to it no one would be talking about this. Did Pamela Wallin repay her expenses immediately and in full? Who knows? Who cares? What about that other guy? I don’t even remember his name. Senators overspend? Scandalous! I hear they also breathe. As mentioned upthread, it’s not the scandal but rather the coverup that is at issue. And one doesn’t prepare talking points in advance for the media if one does not anticipate further questions. So it would seem Wright was fully aware that this issue might not just go away because he paid it to go away. And that makes me think he saw the world around him catching fire and decided to reach for the marshmallows. He gets to bring a government down with an innocent shrug and a bewildered look on his face. Kato Kaelin would be proud. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/134 "2015-09-01T21:56:20Z")
Oops, should have held that thought regarding Ms. Wallin: > **[Senator Wallin case dogs Stephen Harper on campaign trail | CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pamela-wallin-senate-expenses-rcmp-crown-1.3211188)** > > Just when Stephen Harper was getting a reprieve from daily questions about Senator Mike Duffy's case, a new media report that Senator Pamela Wallin's file has been handed to the Crown is renewing focus on the Senate expenses scandal. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/135 "2015-09-01T22:16:20Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Except that Wright has deeper pockets, more extensive business and party alliances, and holds a generally higher level of respect than Harper. He does not need Harper to help him out and Wright wouldn’t want him to if it was going to endanger Conservative rule. So the rule of thumb is just fall on the sword and everything will be peaches and cream. I’m not sure if that’s working for Wright regardless of his witless party affection. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/136 "2015-09-02T01:17:51Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > So the rule of thumb is just fall on the sword and everything will be peaches and cream. I’m not sure if that’s working for Wright regardless of his witless party affection. Lol. “Witless party affection”? Look, I’m no Conservative party fan, but until Wright is charged and/or he doesn’t score some other massive pay job when this blows over I have a hard time describing this as falling on his sword. And I bet you couldn’t find a single person who has ever worked with him use the description “witless”. I think you’re letting your distaste for Harper lead you to ridiculous viewpoints. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/137 "2015-09-02T01:54:56Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > But not to worry. Conservative strategy remains to ban their candidates from talking to the press or participating in debates or town forums. They are going to go door-to-door where they can lie to voters without the embarrassment of being called out on the lies. Not at my house. I told the Harper goon at the door that if Harper was still the party leader, he should get lost. And you and the other kids in those lovely Party-blue campaign T-shirts, GET THE HELL OFF MY LAWN!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/138 "2015-09-02T03:57:29Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Lol. “Witless party affection”? Look, I’m no Conservative party fan, but until Wright is charged and/or he doesn’t score some other massive pay job when this blows over I have a hard time describing this as falling on his sword. And I bet you couldn’t find a single person who has ever worked with him use the description “witless”. I think you’re letting your distaste for Harper lead you to ridiculous viewpoints. This isn’t going away. In fact the polls are getting a little too tight and the questions a little too often about the scandal so all the Cons are closing ranks. Wright didn’t do the right thing, his actions smell of eau du Cover Steve’s Ass instead of being oh so honourable. Why they didn’t let Puffy get the RBC loan and take his lumps is beyond comprehension. Unless there’s more Harper crap to uncover than in the master bedroom at 24 Sussex. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/139 "2015-09-02T04:17:19Z")
For reasons I don’t understand, you seem to think I am defending the PM and the PMO’s actions through the Duffy affair. I am not. This attempted cover up was a fuck up. You just seem to have unfounded conclusions about Wright because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807/140 "2015-09-03T03:43:42Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > This attempted cover up was a fuck up. Yes it was. Wright isn’t a stupid person, or at least we assume he isn’t, but this was a deliberate action and it doesn’t absolve the guy of his part in the bullshit to deceive the Canadian people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807.md?page=8)