Avoiding ‘Trudeau’ childish, ignorant
Re Tories wipe ‘Trudeau’ from their vocabulary,
Aug. 4 The strategy of Stephen Harper and his Conservatives to not use Justin Trudeau’s last name in their campaign material is nothing more than childish, ignorant behaviour, unbecoming of the prime minister of our country. He should be embarrassed for using these Tea Party-type antics.
For once, it would be nice to see our potential leaders have a free and open debate about the numerous important issues that our country faces. But no, instead Mr. Harper decides again to lower the bar by demeaning and attacking the integrity of his opposition.
Surely we can do better than electing this silly, petty and embarrassing man to lead our country.
Hopefully, come Oct. 19, we will be able to say goodbye to “Stephen.” Steve Craine, Toronto In a joint news conference in 2006, then U.S. president George W. Bush three times referred to our PM as “Steve.” Steve purported not to mind: “I’ve been called a lot worse than that — including by people who say they like me.”
So, Justin and Tommy and the rest of us should just call him Steve. Eric R. Fisher, Toronto So, the latest strategy of Harper’s election campaign is to repeatedly link Justin Trudeau and Thomas Mulcair at every opportunity in the hope voters will split the anti-Tory vote. Maybe what Justin Trudeau should do to retaliate is repeatedly call Harper “Steve” as George W. Bush did when he was president.
This would link Harper to Bush, who left office with the lowest exit approval rating for any president, and with a legacy not unlike Harper’s to date: war, recession, climate, tax breaks for the wealthy, oil, just to name the obvious. Ron Simpson, Oakville The latest tactic in Conservative advertising is beyond contemptible. Some juvenile, backroom strategy session has determined that the road to victory can be paved with belittlement, disrespect and manipulation.
The word has been given, throughout the big blue machine that the name “Trudeau” is not to be used. The leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and a duly elected Member of Parliament, should only be referred to as Justin. After all, he’s just a kid with no experience or valid ideas. He doesn’t deserve to be referred to as Mr. Trudeau or to use his full name. He’s just a second-generation wannabe, attempting to hitch a free ride on the wings of his famous father who happens to be among the most popular and effective prime ministers in Canadian history.
The Conservative party can’t dare contribute to the possibility that Canadians might make the association or be given credit to be able to make the distinction. No. Our current prime minister won’t offer even common courtesy to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. A minimum of respect, to which he’s more than entitled. How petty. How shallow. How small-minded.
Shame on you, Mr. Harper. Rob Cowan, Toronto I have no problem with addressing Mr. Trudeau by his first name. After all, he’s running justin time to save us from Stephen Harper. Kevin MacPhee, Belleville, Ont.