'Stephen Harper isn't perfect': New Tory message raises eyebrows online
Message used in campaign ad and Harper interview
Stephen Harper isn't perfect, according to a new Conservative ad uploaded to YouTube on Sunday.
The 30-second spot features a series of Canadians talking about their concerns regarding the economy.
"The NDP? They can't manage money. And they don't understand that business creates jobs," says one man. Another says, "Justin's promising to run deficits. Deficits! He says deficits are good."
Toward the end of the video an elderly woman then comments on Harper.
"Stephen Harper isn't perfect, but when it comes to the economy — we can depend on him."
This ad was produced by the Conservative Party of Canada. It is embedded here for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by CBC News.
Harper has since echoed the statement.
"I am who I am. Canadians know me. I'm not perfect. But I'm dedicated to my country, I love my country. I think I've done as good a job as I can do," Harper told CBC's Peter Mansbridge in an interview that aired Monday night.
The "not perfect" slogan raised a few eyebrows on Twitter.
"Stephen Harper isn't perfect." Absolutely every single person in this ad looks like they're about to cry. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://t.co/4PgfYtajkR">https://t.co/4PgfYtajkR</a>
—@Adam_StirlingOur once-bright dreams now crumble around us. All is lost. We will never be this young again. Vote Conservative. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewToryCommericals?src=hash">#NewToryCommericals</a>
—@Adam_Stirling"Stephen Harper isn't perfect. Ask a Canadian government scientist. Ha, psyche."
—@bruce_arthurSeveral people noticed a similarity with messaging used by Rob Ford
New Conservative ad goes with 'the Ford approach': "Stephen Harper isn't perfect..." <a href="https://t.co/G5SdsuKzEt">https://t.co/G5SdsuKzEt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@siomoHarper's campaign has now assumed the Rob Ford position of "hey, I'm not perfect, who's perfect?" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@JonnKmechLiberal strategist Rob Silver got in on the Ford jabs as well.
Headlines Harper doesn't want "ya, we're copying the post-crack video Rob Ford campaign. Almost identical.." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://t.co/1EXJXjXWrL">https://t.co/1EXJXjXWrL</a>
—@RobSilverSome cracked 'Peegate' jokes.
It's true Stephen Harper isn't perfect...he chooses candidates that will pee in your cup while you're not looking <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/peegate?src=hash">#peegate</a>
—@Sarahickling1Including a former Liberal aide who is no stranger to campaign missteps.
"Stephen Harper isn't perfect"...but at least he wont piss in your kitchen cupboards. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotARealAd?src=hash">#NotARealAd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Elxn42?src=hash">#Elxn42</a>
—@_scottreidThere were hairdo jokes too.
Stephen Harper isn't perfect, but his hairdo is. So there's that.
—@bdenovanOthers saw the ad as a sign the Tories are in trouble...
When your tagline is "Stephen Harper isn't perfect but ..." your campaign is in trouble. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/EE8aye6ZDp">https://t.co/EE8aye6ZDp</a>
—@anniegirl1138... NDP staffers among them.
If "Stephen Harper isn't perfect" is your strongest pitch, it's probably time for change in Ottawa. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://t.co/egGqIRCGXE">https://t.co/egGqIRCGXE</a>
—@samdinicolBut many saw a calculated strategy.
In invu with CBC, Harper used same "I`m not perfect but..." line that`s also in new CPC ad. So this is a strategy. <a href="http://t.co/ijLqtRYGcE">http://t.co/ijLqtRYGcE</a>
—@glen_mcgregorInteresting line from new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cpc?src=hash">#cpc</a> ad: "Stephen Harper isn't perfect." Says a lot about what their polling must be showing. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@jeffjedrasMany others just laughed.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCTheNational">@CBCTheNational</a> Harper: "I'm not perfect." Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Greatest understatement ever <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@barkerthom