The potential success of the Tory Mr. Congeniality Tour 2005 seems already in some doubt if we are to go by this report from PEI:
I was having my breakfast at the market today when in comes Mr Stephen Harper who is visiting PEI. He was studiously ignored and left the eating room in a minute. I was dreading that he would approach me - what would I say? I will never know - but it would not have been "Pleased to meet you".
Comments
Jean - July 4, 2005 10:30 PM
On Canada Day, Mr. Harper was out and about in Charlottetown and I am still wondering why he was given special seating with the Provincial and Federal dignitaries from PEI for the opening ceremony.
Prior to the ceremony, Harper and Premier Binns tried to mingle with the crowd outside of Confed Centre who were trying to watch the concert. Talk about a fish out of water. People were looking, but no one was flocking around him other than a few of the local journalists and the newly nominated Tory candidate for Charlottetown, Tom DeBlois, who is all set to take on Shawn Murphy.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around and there they were. I did the very polite jesture of shaking hands and asking "how are you today?" and the best Harper could come up with was "good". He didn't even make an attempt at small talk, so I just turned back around and continued to watch the program.
If this was, as the Guardian stated, Harper's "Make Over Tour", then Paul Martin pretty much can count on being Prime Minister for life.
Flea - July 6, 2005 12:22 AM
Ahh... so satisfying. This is like taking a warm bath.
Alan - July 6, 2005 10:25 AM
Another comment from Rob's thread about CPC meeting PEI is telling:<blockquote class="smalltext">I was speaking with a very smart and alert 91 year old at a meeting yesterday. She was telling me how excited she was to see SH on the grounds Canada Day. "But", she added, " when I went over to him, I tried to give him a big hug and he turned away! I was soooo disappointed." This gal has been a loyal Tory her entire life and expressed concern that "Harper just might need a few lessons in public relations"<p>...As for our Mr. Harper...I think he was cracked before, but now he is broken.</blockquote>