The 180

Don't be so negative about Conservative negativity

In the aftermath of the federal election, pundits seem to agree that the Conservative Party campaign was too negative for voters. But Kate Heartfield says the focus on the tone of campaigns lets politicians off the hook for the contents of their platforms.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper pauses while addressing supporters during his concession speech in Calgary on Monday. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

If there is one thing that Canadian political pundits love more than an election campaign, it's the aftermath of an election campaign. So far, the consensus seems to be that the Conservatives need to become a friendlier party if they want to get back in power. 

And according to Kate Heartfield, the editorial pages editor at the Ottawa Citizen, that's where we've really got it wrong this time around.

Click the blue button above to listen to the full interview.