#Elxn41, first week in review: Harper's character flaws exposed

First lap.

So what's the dominant storyline to emerge from Week One? In my respectful submission, it's got to be the limits of the Harper machine's message control, and his petulant reaction to its failure.

Keeping up with the Joneses

It just never lets up, does it.

By now we've all read about the massacre at the UN offices in Mazar-i-Sharif. And when you're looking for an arsonist, you can usually start with the guy holding the matches and the gasoline can.

Shamelessly stolen from Far and Wide

Steve V joins Stageleft in the exclusive-but-growing club of people from whom I have shamelessly lifted content.

(Ah, who am I kidding. Said club is anything but exclusive.)

This does not imply endorsement or partisan leanings, mind. It just made me laugh so hard the tea came out my nose.

Sorry, folks, I'd really hoped to have something a little more cerebral, but it's late and I'm suffering a brain cramp. More tomorrow. In the meantime, let's stay on message ...

Let's stay on message: Harper's legacy of shame

A heartening first week, yes, but too early to say whether the wheels have come off the Harper Machine.

We can't be distracted by sideline drama over debate formats and whether or not Elizabeth May gets included. Or astroturfers trolling for trolls on Craigslist. Or Conservative senators calling reporters rude names.

Harper imploding? Let's not start the chicken dance just yet

Well, yes, the early indications are heartening.

Mr. Sinister thinks we're a couple of unscripted questions away from a meltdown.

Torontoist catches up with Craigslist troll catchers

... or does it?

Link here.

Story's got legs, but whether it passes the smell test is another matter. Harpobots are too obsessed with message control to leave something like this sloshing around on the floor.

(H/t BigCityLib.)

CBC gets it wrong on Elizabeth May and leaders' debates

We're going to hear a lot more obfuscation and misdirection before the controversy over leaders' debates settles down, but The Corp's performance this morning didn't help.

On Metro Morning, Matt Galloway was asking, in essence, if so many people want to see Elizabeth May included in the debates, why don't more of them vote for her?

I had to give my head a shake.

Um, Matt? Wanting to see someone included doesn't have to imply partisan support. It could just as easily be a matter of principle.

Carry on.