Have you noticed how Stephen Harper can't really throw the dirty gutter talk with the rest of them? As a man with an MA in economics, hallmark of the solitary, I suppose it is reasonable to understand his lack of the gift of the gab but it is a bit sad when he slams those who oppose his crime reforms as people "who work in ivory towers" while people who are against his arts cuts are "government-subsidized whiners." Ouch! What next, garbage mouth? Are we to break out "meanie-pants" and "cheaters" or other elementary school trash talk?

Yet, by way of comparison, consider the rib-busting yuk-fest that is Mr. Dion who offers up lines like this: "Harper lives on an island. It's time to kick him off the island." Ho. Ho. Ho. Hum. See he was at the set of a TV production called Harper's Island...which makes it funny...right? Get it?

The upcoming debates are going to be great.

Other news for day 18:

• Do you see slipping, too? With just under three weeks to go, could it all slip away?
• Hmmm. Try saying "National Infrastructure Program". Repeat. A lot. Maybe win election.
• Headline? PM Good For Promises Text? "An exclusive Nanos Research-Sun Media poll shows 30.4% of people surveyed think the Tories will honour their commitments -- more than double the 14.5% who think the Liberals will deliver and 14.1% who put their trust in the NDP." Moral? We really like none of them.
• Don't talk to us, just vote for us.
• A Grit and a Tory agree on polling.
• Is Jack truthy?