Tories eye debates to trip up Trudeau
Strategists believe more televised faceoffs would showcase PM’s experience, sources say
“I believe the more Canadians see the prime minister on the same stage as Justin Trudeau, the better it is for us.” TORY STRATEGIST SPEAKING ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY
Conservatives are quietly considering a proposal to hold up to five regional televised debates in the upcoming federal election to contrast Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s experience with rookie Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.
With Canadians going to the polls on or before Oct. 19, sources say some Tory strategists are actively discussing the pros and cons of Harper debating Tru- deau and NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair more than in past campaigns.
Traditionally, the party leaders meet twice during a federal election — once in English and once in French.
But some Conservative insiders, hoping to exploit Trudeau’s shoot-from-the-lip style, believe Harper could benefit from additional debates.
“I believe the more Canadians see the prime minister on the same stage as Justin Trudeau, the better it is for us,” said one Tory strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Would the Liberals agree to it? I highly doubt it,” the Conservative said, pointing to Trudeau’s gaffes, including his criticism last fall of Harper for “trying to whip out our CF-18s and show them how big they are” in Iraq.
The Tories — who have already run com- mercials saying Trudeau is “not ready to govern” and is “in over his head” — point to other slip-ups by the Liberal chief on delicate subjects like Quebec secession and Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Under the hot studio lights of a nationally televised debate, some Conservatives believe there would be more verbal blunders. “Let’s face it, the prime minister is less likely to slip up,” said another Tory.
Mulcair, who has won kudos for his pointed grilling of Harper in the Commons, said Wednesday he’s a “big fan” of debates and would embrace more such encounters in the coming campaign.
“Frankly, if there was a leaders debate every week of the next election campaign, I’d be there front and centre. I’d really enjoy that. I think there should be a lot of debates,” he said.
The NDP leader has already agreed to participate in an election debate on women’s issues — the last one dedicated to that topic was in 1984 — and would also like to see one on the environment. Trudeau was less enthusiastic about additional debates, saying only he is open to whatever proposals are pitched by the consortium of television networks that organize the events.
“My priority is to connect with as many people as possible. Debate is a great way to connect with millions of Canadians who watch those debates, but getting out there on the ground is as well. What the balance will be will be determined in the run-up to the next election,” he said.
A Liberal strategist later shrugged off speculation the Tories and NDP want to put Trudeau on the hot seat. Instead, he said their true motive is to keep Trudeau off the campaign trail, where he can meet Canadians and cash in on his popularity.
“Our debate strategy will be the same as our campaign, which is to communicate our plan to Canadians,” the Liberal insider said.
“If their debate strategy is to beat up on Justin Trudeau, that’s their prerogative.”
A Tory strategist opposing extra debates warned it’s a “high-risk, low-reward play.”
“Trudeau is like (U.S. President Barack) Obama or (former Alaska governor Sarah) Palin — he brings a totally different dynamic. He looks like change — he physically embodies it — and it’s risky to put the PM out on a stage up against that,” the Tory said.
“The other danger is that the bar is so low (for Trudeau). Expectations of his debating prowess aren’t high. As long as he doesn’t fall flat on his face, the Liberals can call it a success.”
The naysaying Tory strategist expressed concern that some in Harper’s inner circle are blind to the prime minister’s shortcomings as a nine-year incumbent.
“Any time you put a challenger on the same stage with a prime minister, things can go sideways fast.”
Another Tory strategist also cautioned against any push for additional debates, saying the preparation needed for such events is “enormously disruptive to the campaign.”
Conservative party communications director Cory Hann said the Harper team was “not in the position to confirm scheduling decisions for the October 2015 election campaign.”
“Over the course of the next eight months, and through the election campaign, including in the debates, Canadians will clearly see the choice they have — the strong, serious leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, or the high-risk, high-tax, high-debt agenda of Justin Trudeau.”
The number of debates could also depend in part on the length of the campaign, which must be at least 36 days long.