What a difference a day makes...

...just 24 little hours...

Well, alright, maybe a couple of days...

Just watched the Harper newser and the flip-flops have already started.

Ding! Ding! Round one.

First we had Dingwall. Having railed against Mr. Dingwall for billing the taxpayer for personal expenses (which turned out to be wrong), then railed against Dingwall' 'entitlements', Harper was asked if he would make good on his commitment to ensure people who voluntarily leave not get a severance package.

The answer? "We need to get a look at the legal advice on this..."

Nice. Maybe you should have gotten the legal advice before you put in a commercial?

Apparently there were no lawyers in the Conservative Party who were able to provide such advice. A political party without lawyers? Surely not.

No worries Stephen, I think you will find your legal advice here.

Either way, I'd be concerned about a guy who checks with the lawyers only after he's in charge.

A line in the snow

Second we've got Arctic soveriegnty.

Harper had a 20 min chat with the President of the United States. That would be the president of the country with whom he is now disputing several thousands arpentes de neige.

Good on him too! Arctic soveriegnty is something we should be standing firm on.

However standing firm means telling the President you are standing firm. It doesn't have to rude, or loud. It has to be firm and clear.

Neglecting to mention that you're standing firm on arctic soveriegnty when you chat for twenty minutes with the President isn't really standing firm.

In fact, I'd argue it sends a message of weakness.

Forgetting to mention it until the end of you newser and then leaving before anyone can ask a question is... well .. clever... but won't work next time.