off-script or mixed messages

Conservative campaign chair Guy Giorno made an interesting comment when interviewed outside Rideau Hall while the Governor General and Stephen Harper were meeting this morning. Girono stressed that the Conservatives are running to form a minority government. Presumably that would be like the last two governments they have formed.

The prima facie explanation for Giorno's modest goal would be the generally accepted fact of current Canadian politics that voters are uneasy with the thought of giving Harper complete control. Whenever the Conservatives appear to be getting close to a majority, voters pull back, judging by the polls. Thus, Giorno's words would appear to have be chosen so as not to frighten voters into the switching their support to the party most likely to prevent such a majority.

But Giorno's comments are at odds with Stephen Harper's obsession with coalitions. If the Conservatives aren't running for a majority and/or don't expect to get one, then just how does Harper plan to run a government, except with the support of other parties in Parliament? That would be exactly what Harper is trying to demonize, unless it's Harper's plan to govern without Parliament (which legally he can do until spring 2012 - don't put it past him).

Day One and the Conservatives are off message. Maybe debating the issues instead of setting up bogymen to frighten voters would be a better idea.